What Looks Like Loss May Just Become Your Double Portion

By Kathi Pelton

I love how the Lord is able to turn situations, that appear in the natural to be sure loss, and turn them into a double portion blessing for those who have put their hope in him.

My husband and I have experienced this more times than we can count throughout our lives. This has been especially true when we have followed his leading and obeyed his voice to walk into new territory or to leave a place that had been fruitful.

“Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” Zachariah 9:12

Though this verse is taken “a bit out of context” regarding a promise of double— the Lord highlighted it today for those of you who might be facing a unknown future by leaving something meaningful or valued behind to follow him.

Though this is a very small example— it still serves as a good example:

Ten years ago my husband and I were in a car accident that destroyed our family vehicle. We knew that the insurance payout would not even come close to replacing the vehicle that we lost. We were pretty discouraged at the prospects of vehicles that we were looking at. But, two days later we received a call from a couple that lived in another state. We had only met this couple one time but we had an instant connection with them. They called us to let us know that two weeks earlier (prior to our car accident) the Lord had spoken to them and asked them to give us an almost brand new vehicle! This vehicle was nicer than any car we had ever owned— so much nicer than the one we lost.

That week they drove our new car to us and we were absolutely overwhelmed with God’s intentional love and generosity to us. Not only that— now the insurance money from our totaled car was ours to spend elsewhere. It ended up to be a far greater than double portion restoration.

Even though that story is merely about a vehicle, it is an amazing example of how God provides when we run to him as our fortress and hope.

You may be facing something far greater than the loss of a car. Possibly a change of location or vocation? Whatever the Lord has asked you to do— even if it looks like walking away from something you love— he is able and willing to restore double to you.

One last example:

Many years ago our family bought our dream home. It was a brand new home across from a park that we loved. It had a beautiful wrap around porch and a gourmet kitchen. We loved this house so much and we had worked hard to be able to purchase it. After less than a year of living there we received an opportunity to move to another country to direct a house of prayer. Quite honestly— we did not want to take this opportunity! But the Lord made it clear to us that this was his will and a door he was opening for us. We would be walking away from our dream home and a great job— and with no equity in the home (so we’d take a loss on the sale).

After a few weeks of prayer and wrestling with the thought of this sacrifice, we finally made the decision to say yes. It meant leaving our dream home, our extended families, our jobs, our church (of almost 20 years) and all that we loved. It surely looked like a lot of loss but to follow God’s leading.

When we arrived in the new country our family of six moved into a one bedroom basement suite with only a sink and a microwave for a kitchen. We had no secure income or financial support but we made the Lord our fortress and our hope— knowing that he is good and faithful to his children. Within a couple of years our family was given a massive 5000 square foot house that had more bedrooms than we needed and the most magnificent view imaginable to live in for the duration of our time in that country! It was more than double what we had left behind.

No matter what you are facing or what it looks like to follow his leading— make the Lord your fortress and hope as you move forward. He is able to turn what looks like sure loss into not only gain but DOUBLE.

Take heart, have hope, be courageous and then watch what the Lord will do!