The importance of positive reminders

 Abundant Life After Loss 

Of the four words in this blog's subtitle after seems to be the least important. I see it as the most important. It is something you continue to live with and it can be difficult to put in the past. It is harder still to keep it there.

My initial job loss happened over a decade ago and the aftereffects of that one event still impact me today. This is true of nearly every loss. Loss can be moved on from but can't be restored. I found another job. In some ways it is better. In some ways it is worse. The bottom line is that it is not the same.


It is easy to adopt a negative, my life will never be the same, attitude. It is true that, after major loss, life never will be the same. There are many reminders of how past loss is impacting present circumstances. They make the task of putting loss in the past, and keeping it there, seem impossible. Grief over loss is healthy. Living the rest of your life in the shadow of loss is not. Loss must not be allowed to control the present and ruin the future. If allowed, loss becomes an anchor that prevents your life from moving forward. The longer the anchor is down the harder it is to pull up.


Overcoming a major loss takes great resolve to adopt a positive attitude; despite current circumstances and nagging reminders. The best way I have found to do this is to remind myself that my life will never be the same but this does not mean it will always be worse. Loss has a way of creating tunnel vision. The loss looms large and the abundance of life's positives get pushed off to the side unseen. The positives are there. They are hard to see and you may need a friend to point them out at first. As your view broadens the positives will take up more and more of your vision until loss, while still there, is less and less your focal point.


Daily positive reminders are also a must. Get a book of Bible promises, journal your blessings, spend time with good friends, and attend church regularly. Read how much Jesus loves you in the Bible. This is His love letter to you. Reply in prayers of love and thanksgiving to Him. There is hope in Him. When hope is regained abundant life AFTER loss can be seen clearly. Trade in the anchor of loss and anchor your life to Jesus Christ. He is the only anchor that holds regardless of what storms of life you encounter.



God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Hebrews 6:18,19 (New Living Translation)