The popular human axiom that “an opportunity lost can never be regained” is utterly dismissible when viewed through the lens of Psalm 126:1:“When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.” (NKJV).

This passage clearly speaks of a bringing back, which translates as recovery or restoration. In the order of God’s Kingdom, no loss is beyond recovery except death, which carries finality. Every other loss in life is recoverable and restorable. Where the world concludes hopelessly with finality, God declares possibility as affirmed in Mark 9:23,“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” The emphasis here is believe.

Beloved, it will take your believe to recover whatever you have lost, no matter how hopeless it may appear. Everyone, at one point or another, experiences losses. The degree of loss may differ from person to person, but no one born of a woman is immune. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope of recovery.

Have you lost your health due to a terrible sickness that physicians have written off as terminal? I decree, by the mercy of God, that you shall recover your lost health. Jesus is saying to you today that this seemingly hopeless sickness laying you prostrate is not unto death, according to John 11:4: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” That shall soon be your testimony, in Jesus’ name.

Is it your marriage, finances, business, career, promotion, opportunities, connections, peace of mind, or joy that you have lost? Whatever it is, I assure you by the grace of God: if thou canst believe, you shall recover your loss, in Jesus’ name. No loss is a hopeless case, regardless of how terrible it appears. Since you are still alive, please do not give up. Your dry bones shall live again (Ezekiel 37:1–11), in Jesus’ name. Amen. There is hope of recovery according to Job 14:7–9: “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.” Receive the scent of life upon your lost case, in Jesus’ name. “If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God.” (John 11:40)

Once you believe, you must then take divinely instructed steps toward the recovery of losses.

STEP 1: The Nehemiah Step

Take Stock, Show Remorse, Pray, and Fast

Nehemiah 1:4 states: “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”

While Israel was in captivity in Babylon, it lost the wall of Jerusalem and its gates. When Nehemiah received the report that the remnants “are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3), he sat down, took stock of the situation, and then wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed for the rebuilding—the recovery—of Jerusalem.

When you suffer any form of loss, the first step is to take stock in order to identify the cause. Without proper assessment, recovery becomes unassailable. You must understand why the loss occurred in order to navigate the route to restoration.

Nehemiah did this accurately. He confessed and acknowledged the sins of Israel as the root cause of their calamity: “Both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept thy commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments.” (Nehemiah 1:6–7)

This is the first step toward recovery: admission of fault. Rather than pointing accusing fingers at witches or enemies, take responsibility. Recovery begins when blame ends. After Nehemiah sincerely and remorsefully admitted Israel’s sins as the cause of their losses—affliction, reproach, and broken walls—he prayed earnestly: “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant… and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:11)

God hearkened to Nehemiah’s prayer of repentance and granted him unusual favor before the king. The king not only approved his request but empowered him with authority, resources, and manpower for the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and gates. Thus, Nehemiah and his team successfully recovered what had been lost.