Faith, Loss, and the Journey of Healing

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I shared deeply personal stories of faith, loss, and the power of prayer, intertwined with the journey of starting the Maggie Jean Foundation. This foundation was born out of our own experiences with loss, as my wife and I suffered through the heartbreak of losing three pregnancies, including an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage at seven weeks, and the loss of our baby Maggie Jean at 22 weeks. These experiences taught us the profound lesson that we are not in control and that we must trust in God's plan, even when it is beyond our understanding.

During this time, my wife and I leaned heavily on our faith and the support of our Christian community. We were part of a couple's Bible study that provided comfort and strength. The idea of starting a foundation in honor of our lost daughter initially met with resistance due to the freshness of our pain. However, through persistent signs from God, including a song on the radio that spoke to my wife's heart and a Bible study focused on obedience, we were moved to action.

The Maggie Jean Foundation's mission is to support families who have experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death, or a lost adoption. We provide a "box of blessings" to these families, which includes personalized items like a knit blanket and hat, bereavement books, and a handwritten note. We also hold a candlelight vigil on October 15th, World Lost Pregnancy Day, to honor these babies.

Throughout the sermon, I also shared stories of my own brushes with mortality, including a severe case of meningitis and a stroke. In both instances, the Holy Spirit guided me to make life-saving decisions. My prayers during these times were not just for healing, but for the strength to accept God's will, whatever the outcome might be. The peace I felt, even in the face of potential tragedy, was a testament to the power of prayer and the presence of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The journey through loss and grief can lead to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and the importance of trusting in His plan. The creation of the Maggie Jean Foundation was not just a response to personal tragedy, but a testament to the belief that God can use our deepest pains for a greater purpose. [42:45]

- Prayer is not always about changing our circumstances but about aligning our hearts with God's will. In times of crisis, the Holy Spirit can provide guidance and peace that surpasses all understanding, helping us to navigate the most challenging moments of our lives. [34:57]

- Community and fellowship are vital in the Christian walk, especially during times of suffering. The support we received from our Bible study group and the broader Christian community was instrumental in our healing process and in the establishment of our foundation. [36:41]

- Obedience to God's calling may require stepping out of our comfort zones. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and it is through prompt action in faith that we fulfill God's purposes for our lives. The Maggie Jean Foundation is a result of heeding that call. [40:42]

- Commemorating loss through rituals, such as the candlelight vigil on World Lost Pregnancy Day, can provide healing and a sense of global community. It is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our grief and that our lost children are honored and remembered. [44:36]

Study Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

2. John 14:27 (ESV)
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

3. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

4. James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Observation Questions:

1. In Proverbs 3:5-6, what does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and why is it important not to lean on your own understanding?
2. How does acknowledging God in all your ways relate to experiencing His guidance and making straight paths, as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6?
3. Reflecting on John 14:27, what kind of peace does Jesus offer, and how is it different from the peace the world gives?
4. Considering 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, how does God's comfort to us in affliction enable us to comfort others?

Interpretation Questions:

1. What are some practical ways to demonstrate trust in God when facing situations that are beyond our understanding, as suggested in Proverbs 3:5-6?
2. How can the peace that Jesus gives, as described in John 14:27, influence a person's reaction to life-threatening situations?
3. In what ways might God use our experiences of comfort during trials to prepare us to minister to others, as described in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4?
4. How does the testing of faith, which leads to steadfastness according to James 1:2-4, contribute to spiritual maturity?

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent difficult situation. How did you respond, and how might you deepen your trust in God's sovereignty in similar future circumstances?
2. Identify a specific area of your life where you need God's peace. What steps will you take this week to seek His peace in that situation?
3. Think of someone you know who is going through a tough time. How can you use your own experiences of God's comfort to offer them support this week?
4. Choose one trial you are currently facing. How can you view this as an opportunity for growth in faith and perseverance, and what practical action will you take to embrace this perspective?

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereign Plan
When faced with the incomprehensible pain of loss, it is a natural human instinct to seek control, to understand, and to rationalize. Yet, it is in these moments of profound sorrow that the truth of God's sovereignty becomes most evident. The establishment of the Maggie Jean Foundation serves as a living testament to the belief that even in the darkest of times, there is a divine plan at work. This foundation not only honors the memory of a lost child but also provides solace to others in their grief, transforming personal tragedy into a communal bridge of empathy and support. It is a poignant reminder that one's journey through grief can illuminate the understanding that God's ways are higher than our own, and that trusting in His plan is an act of faith that can lead to healing and purpose beyond our pain. [42:45]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

Reflection: Reflect on a time when your life did not go as planned. How did you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how might it have led you to a deeper trust in His sovereignty?

Day 2: Aligning with God's Will Through Prayer
Prayer is often perceived as a means to request change in our circumstances, yet its true power lies in its ability to change us. In the throes of life-threatening illness, the act of praying for strength to accept God's will reveals a profound trust in the Almighty. It is through prayer that one can find peace amidst turmoil and guidance through the Holy Spirit. This peace, which surpasses all understanding, is a testament to the transformative nature of prayer, not as a tool to wield control but as a conduit for aligning one's heart with the divine will. [34:57]

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." - 1 John 5:14

Reflection: When you pray, do you find yourself focusing more on changing your circumstances or on seeking to understand and accept God's will? How can you shift your prayer life to align more closely with His will?

Day 3: The Strength of Community in Suffering
In times of suffering, the Christian community becomes an indispensable source of strength and comfort. The support received from fellow believers can be a lifeline, offering not just empathy but also tangible assistance in the healing process. The establishment of the Maggie Jean Foundation was not a solitary endeavor but was buoyed by the encouragement and fellowship of a Bible study group. This collective effort underscores the importance of community in the Christian walk, especially during the darkest seasons of life. [36:41]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

Reflection: Consider the role of community in your own life. How can you both give and receive support within your Christian community to better navigate times of suffering?

Day 4: Prompt Obedience to God's Calling
Obedience to God's calling often requires stepping out of one's comfort zone, and delayed obedience can equate to disobedience. The creation of the Maggie Jean Foundation exemplifies the courage to act promptly on God's signs, despite personal pain and resistance. This act of faith demonstrates that true obedience involves not just hearing God's call but also responding with immediate action, trusting that He will use our steps of faith to fulfill His greater purposes. [40:42]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" - 1 Samuel 15:22

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you sense God is calling you to act, but you have hesitated? What is one step you can take today to move toward obedience to that call?

Day 5: Honoring Loss and Finding Global Community
Rituals such as the candlelight vigil on World Lost Pregnancy Day serve as a poignant means to honor the memory of lost children and to find solace in a global community of shared grief. These acts of remembrance are not only a personal tribute but also a collective acknowledgment that no one grieves alone. Such rituals provide a space for healing and a powerful reminder that each life, no matter how brief, is significant and cherished. [44:36]

"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?" - Psalm 56:8

Reflection: How can you honor the memory of someone you have lost in a way that brings you comfort and connects you with others who have experienced similar grief?

Quotes

"In my recent sermon, I shared deeply personal stories of faith, loss, and the power of prayer, intertwined with the journey of starting the Maggie Jean Foundation. This foundation was born out of our own experiences with loss, as my wife and I suffered through the heartbreak of losing three pregnancies, including an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage at seven weeks, and the loss of our baby Maggie Jean at 22 weeks. These experiences taught us the profound lesson that we are not in control and that we must trust in God's plan, even when it is beyond our understanding." [42:45]( | | )

"During this time, my wife and I leaned heavily on our faith and the support of our Christian community. We were part of a couple's Bible study that provided comfort and strength. The idea of starting a foundation in honor of our lost daughter initially met with resistance due to the freshness of our pain. However, through persistent signs from God, including a song on the radio that spoke to my wife's heart and a Bible study focused on obedience, we were moved to action." [44:36]( | | )

"The Maggie Jean Foundation's mission is to support families who have experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death, or a lost adoption. We provide a 'box of blessings' to these families, which includes personalized items like a knit blanket and hat, bereavement books, and a handwritten note. We also hold a candlelight vigil on October 15th, World Lost Pregnancy Day, to honor these babies." [44:36]( | | )

"Throughout the sermon, I also shared stories of my own brushes with mortality, including a severe case of meningitis and a stroke. In both instances, the Holy Spirit guided me to make life-saving decisions. My prayers during these times were not just for healing, but for the strength to accept God's will, whatever the outcome might be. The peace I felt, even in the face of potential tragedy, was a testament to the power of prayer and the presence of God." [34:57]( | | )

"Key Takeaways: - The journey through loss and grief can lead to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and the importance of trusting in His plan. The creation of the Maggie Jean Foundation was not just a response to personal tragedy, but a testament to the belief that God can use our deepest pains for a greater purpose." [42:45]( | | )

"Prayer is not always about changing our circumstances but about aligning our hearts with God's will. In times of crisis, the Holy Spirit can provide guidance and peace that surpasses all understanding, helping us to navigate the most challenging moments of our lives." [34:57]( | | )

"Community and fellowship are vital in the Christian walk, especially during times of suffering. The support we received from our Bible study group and the broader Christian community was instrumental in our healing process and in the establishment of our foundation." [36:41]( | | )

"Obedience to God's calling may require stepping out of our comfort zones. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and it is through prompt action in faith that we fulfill God's purposes for our lives. The Maggie Jean Foundation is a result of heeding that call." [40:42]( | | )

"Commemorating loss through rituals, such as the candlelight vigil on World Lost Pregnancy Day, can provide healing and a sense of global community. It is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our grief and that our lost children are honored and remembered." [44:36]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?