Losses and tragedies have a way of putting everything into perspective. They clarify your values and help you figure out some priorities. You realize, more than you ever did before, what matters most.

People and culture want you to think that it’s what you have that determines who you are and what really matters in life. But in Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “Life is not measured by how much one owns” (NCV). Don’t confuse your net worth with your self-worth. They are totally unrelated. Don’t confuse your possessions with your position in Christ and your purpose. Don’t confuse what you’re living on with what you’re living for.

You can wait until you experience loss to decide what you’re living for. Or you can determine now to clarify your values and remember what’s important: relationships and people. People matter, not things.

Don’t lose your joy over things that are unimportant.

Have you ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul? The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:7, “We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out” (NCV). I remember hearing of a rich Texas oilman who was buried in his Cadillac. As they were putting him under, a man standing by said, “Man, that’s living!” 

No—the guy’s dead!

For real security, you have to build your life on something that can’t be taken from you. Can a job be taken from you? Yes. There is no such thing as job security. Can you lose your health? Yes. Can you lose the person you’re married to? Yes. Can you lose your youthful beauty? Yes!

You must build your life on the one thing that cannot be taken away from you: your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

When you have Jesus as your firm foundation, you’ll still have hope and peace and joy even in your most difficult struggles. You’ll be able to make it through your season of loss.