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"Losses loom larger than gains."


A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 1126). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

A scientific study on the brain seemed to come up with that fact and I’m sure if you looked at your life you would also say that is true.  But it doesn’t need to hold us back even though for many it does.

Think about the successes that you have had at your work but then think of that time when you were reprimanded.  Or when you were in school and the A’s and B’s but it is that D or C that you really remember.  It was Latin, Chemistry and Biology that I got my C’s.  Or in your relationships and all those good friends you have who would be there but it’s that one person who didn’t want to be your friend.  There is still pain after all these years.  That memory many times holds you back from reaching out to someone new.  But it doesn’t need too.

Yes it is easier to remember your losses.  That is the way you are held back from making a difference with your life.  But it doesn’t have to.

Today is Ash Wednesday and I was thinking of the disciples in the New Testament and of their loss of a physical relationship with Christ.  His death had to be devastating to them.  I mean so much in them it seemed could have stopped with seeing Him die on that cross.  But it didn’t. 

After Jesus’ death, resurrection and then going back to heaven they could have gone into a cave never to come out again.  But they didn’t.  No, they went to an upper room and got perspective and got rejuvenated and refocused and filled with Jesus in a new way through His Spirit and went out and changed the world.

Our losses need to be handled and dealt with and then to refocus on our wins and move forward.  Use your losses, don’t be abused by them.  Put them in there right place and then move forward.  

Ash Wednesday is not the end of the story.  It is just the beginning.  Easter is coming.

So what loss are you focusing on?

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