Coming Alongside in the midst of Limitations and Losses

Ungrieved losses and Unacknowledged limitations can blow holes in our wholeness. Know how to appropriately grieve the losses of our lives and Recognize, own, and learn to live wisely with our limitations

Grieve your Losses “There are some things that Skype just can’t fix ….” Jonathan Trotter

Each heart knows its own sadness Prov. 14:10

Grief – “ intense emotional suffering caused by loss of any kind. Outlawed grief - loss is minimized; and grieving is seen as unspiritual, unbiblical, or even unnecessary “ Shouldn’t you be over this by now?”

Don’t cry, God wants you can be strong” “Forget the past and press on … God’s got a plan … God is sovereign... You know, all things work together for good.”

Expressed Grief “We live in a groaning creation and we need to groan honestly and deeply. We have permission to groan over our disappointments, our failed expectations, the missed opportunities, the ache of longing and loneliness. We can admit that we are, often broken people.” Carol Kent

Lam 1:16 “For all these things I weep; tears flow down my cheeks. No one is here to comfort me; any who might encourage me are far away.”

“ Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted…” “You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.” (Msg) Luke 7:21

Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my cry—open your ears. Don't be callous; just look at these tears of mine. I'm a stranger here. I don't know my way …” Ps 39:12 (Msg) “ While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God.” Hebrews 5:7 (Msg)

Grief suppressed Ungrieved losses may be expressed as anger.

It’s all right—questions, pain, stabbing anger, can be poured out to the Infinite One and he will not be damaged Our wounded raging will be lost in him and we will be found. For we beat on his chest from within the circle of his arms.” Susan Lenzkes

“We should bring to God what is in us, not what ought to be in us. The ‘oughts’ will keep us from telling the truth. They will also keep us from feeling the truth. Especially the truth about our pain.’” “We pray however we can, with whatever words we can. We pray with our sweat, with our tears. And with whatever friends we have who will sit with us in the darkness.”

The dictionary defines a limitation as a ‘limiting condition; restrictive weakness; lack of capacity; inability or handicap’; Something (such as a lack of ability or strength or knowledge or experience ) that controls what a person is able to do.

I believe the greatest single cause of spiritual defeat is the Enemy’s ability to get us preoccupied with our disappointments – especially disappointments in ourselves. We sin. We have guilty consciences. We confess our sin. But our memory of past spiritual failure fills our visual image of who we are.” BEWARE DISAPPOINTMENT !

MIND THE GAP! Demand/expectation Disappointment Doubt Discouragement Depression Despair

“I believe the greatest single cause of spiritual defeat is the Enemy’s ability to get us preoccupied with our disappointments – especially disappointments in ourselves. We sin. We have guilty consciences. We confess our sin. But our memory of past spiritual failure fills our visual image of who we are.”