Historically I’ve been a “loss cutter” since childhood. “Cut your losses” means to run out if it proves unprofitable or unsuccessful before you suffers too much loss or harm. I’ve done it with people, jobs, living situations, and attitudes. I dumped my first boyfriend before he would have opportunity to dump me. Then there was that employer which no longer seemed to have my best interests at heart and I said goodbye before they could give out the pink slip. Or how about that home we lived in where instead of befriending that noisy neighbor, I decided that moving was best because the neighbor was infringing on my privacy. I’ve had lots of experience cutting my losses and running. Sometimes it can be wise to leave but then there are other circumstances in which I wish I had just hung around a little longer, despite the pain.
FAMOUS NON-LOSS CUTTERS
I look at the Bible and wonder what would have happened if cutting losses had been the behavior of some of my heroes. What if Moses said, “Okay God, just wipe out all the Israelites because they have spit in Your face almost every step of the way”? Instead in Exodus 32, Moses pleaded for their lives. What if Abigail ran out when the going got tough with her husband Nabal (his well-deserved name meant “fool”)? She would have missed the opportunity to save the people she cared about from the fatal consequences of Nabal’s outrageous behavior. Because she stayed around, she also saved David from taking innocent lives. (I Samuel 25)
Or what about when David was being chased by King Saul? Saul broke up David’s marriage, took David’s job, robbed him of his material possessions, slandered David’s good name, and certainly stole David of peace of mind. This went on for years. Don’t you ever wonder if in the middle of the night (also when I do most of my thinking), David ever wondered whether he should just permanently relocate, give up on the Lord God Almighty, and just settle down in another part of the world because he sure was getting tired. (Read the Book of I Samuel)
DO I NOW CUT MY LOSSES AND LEAVE?
Which brings me to my current state of affairs. I read the headlines and become discouraged. In my heart, I would like to just cut my losses and leave this country or even this life. But then God reminds me, Hebrews 13: 14 “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.” In other words, this world is just a bus stop, a temporary blip in our journey through eternity. However, there is a purpose in God’s route through this world. We certainly were warned that a lot of this life would not be butterflies and rainbows. “So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) Jesus warned his disciples: John 16: 33 “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
TIME TO STAND
It’s not the time to cut our losses and run. It is the time to run into the fight, clothed with the armor of God. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (From Ephesians 6:10-18) It’s time to remember that Jesus has overcome the world. He can even overcome my attitude regarding loss cutting.