Hello, happy Monday! My prayer is that you are doing well. I know we are praying for those in California dealing with the consequences of loss and grief, starting over again, living moment by moment. Many have lost so much. My prayer is that sanity is not lost.

When we deal with so much loss and pain all at once, even sanity becomes questionable. Remember, despite how it looks, God is still in control. I know that may not sound comforting to some right now. However, it is the truth. Your reality may be that everything is out of control.

I titled this post An Unchanging Standard because when emotions are involved – anger, pain, grief – it is hard to be objective. God’s word is unchanging. He has answers amid the chaos. Surrender everything to God in prayer. Give thanks. If you have food today, a place to lay your head, your family is safe, give thanks.

Let us give thanks to and for those who have the means and courage to help. God is in the restoration business. Ask Job.

Job 42:10-12 – “¹⁰⁾And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. ¹¹⁾Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. ¹²⁾Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen and one thousand female donkeys.

During Job’s period of loss and tribulation, he had no idea God would restore the way he did. However, Job had a standard that he clung to. I do not highlight materialism here. I illuminate that God does restore. What’s important to note, at least for me, is that Job changed his perspective toward God when confronted with His sovereignty. God can and will replace what was lost and then some. However, please note that God does what He will for His purpose and His glory.

Is God asking some to change their perspective toward Him in this life?