COURAGEOUSLY BELIEVING IN GOD'S MIRACLES AFTER LOSS
Courageously Believing Again:
God’s Restoration After Great Loss
There is a kind of loss that reaches deep into our hearts—a loss that leaves us wondering if healing, wholeness, healthy love, restoration or lasting goodness could ever be possible.
For many women, woundings from abandonment, betrayal, disappointment, a death of a loved one, a loss of a marriage, a loss of innocence in childhood, a loss of family, a loss of healthy connection, or a prolonged loneliness have left not just a sense of grief, but a lingering question:
CAN GOD REALLY RESTORE WHAT HAS BEEN LOST?
The answer in Scripture is a resounding yes!
Not only can He restore, but God delights to do it exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 AMPC).
Yet, the path to believing in God’s ability to turn what the enemy meant for evil to true goodness—after you’ve been disappointed, hurt, harmed, left, abandoned, grieved or heartbroken—requires courage.
A Courage to hope. A Courage to receive deep healing. A Courage to trust that God is faithful even after what feels like devastation. I know it’s not easy, but I have seen God’s miracles in my life after many painful losses throughout my life.
This article is an invitation to say YES to that courageous belief. A belief not built on feelings, but on the eternal, unshakable Word of God.
GOD WILL RESTORE THE YEARS YOU HAVE LOST
Joel 2:25–27 (AMPC)
“And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten... My people shall never be put to shame.”
This promise was originally given to a people whose land had been ravaged—years of harvests destroyed by swarms of locusts. In the same way, your heart may feel like years were devoured by abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, unhealthy relationships, dysfunction, deception, lies, trauma, or decisions made out of ignorance. But God sees. And He promises to restore—not just events, but the years themselves.
You may like to do some Journaling:
What do I feel has been “eaten” or taken from my life in past relationships?
Ask Holy Spirit, “How do you want to restore or replace those years?”
PRAYER
“Lord, You see the years that feel wasted or broken in my life. I give You what was lost, and I ask You to do what only You can—restore it, redeem it, and renew my hope. Help me believe again that You will deal wondrously with me. You have miraculously saved me, and I am choosing to trust that you can continue to do more. THANK YOU FOR INCREASING MY FAITH IN EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE.”
GOD BRINGS BEAUTY FROM THE ASHES
Isaiah 61:1–7 (AMPC)
“To give them beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit... Instead of your former shame, you shall have a twofold recompense... Everlasting joy shall be yours.”
Jesus read this passage at the beginning of His earthly ministry to declare what He came to do—and He is still doing it. He heals the brokenhearted. He comforts those who mourn. And He restores double for what was lost. When the grief feels heavy, when your heart feels tired from hoping, let these words remind you: your mourning is not the end of the story. As you surrender your life to the LORD, and let yourself grieve with Him, suffer with Him, share with Him your pain, He will build a new foundation of hope and faith in your life.
You may like to do some journaling:
Where do I feel brokenhearted or bound?
Ask Holy Spirit, “What memories of my past are continuing to burden my soul?”
PRAYER
“Jesus, You came to heal the brokenhearted—and that includes me. I surrender my mourning to You and I ask You to clothe me with your joy and praise. Make me into an oak of righteousness that glorifies You, even through the places that once felt like ruins. I choose to believe in your promises, LORD God.”
GOD IS ABLE TO DO MORE THAN YOU CAN EVEN ASK
Ephesians 3:20–21 (AMPC)
“Now to Him Who... is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]...”
Sometimes, after great loss, our prayers get quieter. Our dreams shrink. You may find that you don’t ask for much anymore because hope has been buried under fear of disappointment. Fear of growing into His goodness. Fear that it will be taken away. But God is calling us all out of that smallness—not to push us, but to restore our wonder. He wants us to dream with Him again. To ask. To believe. Because His power at work in us is greater than we can imagine.
You may like to do some journaling:
What feels too big or impossible for me to hope for again?
Ask Holy Spirit, “What am I burying within myself, not letting it grow and blossom?”
PRAYER
“Father, I confess it’s hard to imagine again. It is hard to imagine hope for a better future. But I am willing to let myself be stretched. I am willing to let myself become whole, healed and on fire for you! And follow the narrow path you have for me. Your Word says You can do superabundantly above what I ask or even dream. Stir my heart to believe again, not in my strength, but in Yours. Be glorified in my story, Lord.”
RESTORATION OF PAST
If we are still on this earth, our story is not yet done. The pain is not wasted. The time you thought was lost can be redeemed. The parts of your heart that feel empty can be filled again with joy, peace, and HEALTHY HOLY love. He is the God who heals, restores, rebuilds, and rewards. Let Him walk you into the next chapter, where courage meets restoration and faith makes way for the impossible.
You are not alone. You are deeply loved.
And God is still writing beauty from your ashes.
SCRIPTURE TO SUPPORT YOUR JOURNEY:
COURAGE TO BELIEVE IN GOD’S BLOSSOMING
Joel 2:25–27 (AMPC)
“And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten—the hopping locust, the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame. And you shall know, understand, and realize that I am in the midst of Israel and that I the Lord am your God and there is none else. My people shall never be put to shame.”
God promises to restore "the years the locust has eaten." This passage speaks directly to divine restoration, not just of what was lost, but of the time and fruit you thought were gone forever. It ends with the assurance that "My people shall never be put to shame."
Isaiah 61:1–7 (AMPC)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified Me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent Me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.…Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.”
This is a powerful word for the brokenhearted, those mourning, and those who’ve suffered loss. It declares God will give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and restore double for former trouble.
Ephesians 3:20–21 (AMPC)
“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).”
A reminder that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ask or think, according to His power at work in you. This is a verse to cling to when believing feels fragile.
I know it’s not easy to grieve the losses. I have walked this journey of loss, grief and not feeling courageous enough to hope again, believe again, or dream again. But I want you to know that God is truly the way maker. He can move mountains. Stay the course. Do not give up. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will carry you into the promise land ~ and bring you into glorious pastures beyond.
STAND FIRM on the Word of God,
AND LET YOURSELF DREAM AND HOPE AGAIN
Because this time, it is on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.
HEAL GROW RISE
A NEW FOUNDATION FOR LIFE
If you are looking for trauma-informed, Holy Spirit led counseling and coaching, reach out.
I would love to support you on your journey
of healing, growing and rising with the Lord.