I want to start today’s topic by asking you a question: Have you ever experienced loss?

Now, what type of loss am I talking about? I’m referring to any loss that has caused you emotional discomfort. Some losses are minor, such as misplacing a receipt, a pencil, or your glasses. Those don’t affect us deeply.

But I want to talk about the other kind—the abnormal, out-of-the-ordinary, emotionally traumatic losses. Losing your job. Losing something of great value like jewelry from a loved one. Or losing money.

Some might say these things are superficial because they can be replaced with time and effort. But what about the loss of a loved one? A life can never be replaced.

So, how can your loss possibly become someone else’s blessing?

Let’s look at Matthew 17:24-27:

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”
He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”
And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Now, where did the fish get the coin?

Imagine a man named Joe—a hardworking husband and father of seven. Joe wakes up early every morning and works tirelessly to support his family. One morning, his wife gives him their last bit of money to buy food for the week. She warns him not to waste it, and he assures her everything will be fine.

At work, Joe’s boss sends him out on a boat to help bring in the day’s catch. Suddenly, a storm arises. The waves crash, the ship rocks, and Joe slips. The coins his wife gave him fall out of his pocket and roll into the sea.

Joe is devastated. He returns home with nothing, fearing what his wife and children will eat.

But somewhere beneath the waves, a fish spots those shiny coins and swallows one. Later, that same fish becomes the fish Peter catches in Matthew 17. The coin in its mouth provides for Jesus and Peter’s need.

Joe’s loss became their blessing.

You may say, “Dr. Raf, that’s Jesus and Peter! Of course they’re blessed.” But let’s look at another passage—Matthew 13:44:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Who do you think the treasure originally belonged to? Someone must have lost it. Their loss became another person’s discovery and joy.

Now, what about the loss of a loved one? How can that be a blessing?

Humans are often moved to take action only when death or tragedy occurs. It’s through loss that innovation, compassion, and change are born.

Think of medical advances—diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. Treatments and cures exist today because people once died from them. Their loss spurred research and progress that now saves lives.

Even socially, change often begins with pain. If you are Black, your very freedom and rights were bought with the suffering and deaths of others. Their lives were not lost in vain; their sacrifice spurred movements that changed history.

So never believe that a death or a loss is meaningless. Every life, every experience, every loss is a part of God’s masterpiece.

Some brushstrokes are long—symbolizing long lives. Others are short—symbolizing brief lives. But every stroke matters. God is the painter. We are the paint.

You may never see the full picture while you live, but rest assured, the loss you grieve today may be the very brushstroke that brings light and blessing to someone tomorrow.

Action Steps:

1. Reflect on your losses. Write down what you’ve lost and how each shaped you or others.

2. Shift your focus. Instead of asking “Why me?” ask “What might God be painting through this?”

3. Honor those who have passed. Find a way to serve or bless others in their memory.

4. Look for redemption. Notice how your pain has opened doors for someone else’s healing.

5. Trust the process. Remember that God’s masterpiece isn’t finished yet. Your loss still has purpose.