Overcoming: Devotions from Time of Graceनमुना

Hope During Times of Loss

All of us have suffered and will suffer some more. All of us have
struggled and will struggle some more. And here's something that we need to know. Did God notice? Did this count for anything? Is there any meaning in it? Did it matter?

Jesus has a simple answer: "Yes," to all of the above. The Father
watches and keeps track of all of his children's hardships, and there is a sweet divine reimbursement plan for us all. We will all be remembered and compensated in direct proportion to how much he has allowed us to be hammered during the time of our earthly combat.

St. Peter and the other disciples had given up a lot to follow Jesus. He once wondered out loud if their sacrifices and losses meant anything at all to God. Jesus assured him, "I tell you the truth . . . no one [who has suffered loss] for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life" (Luke 18:29,30).

Think about it--the Giver of everlasting life and the Controller of all the wealth of the universe refuses to be out-given by his children.