07/27/2026
We've all heard the phrase collateral damage. It's the unintended casualties that happen because of war or conflict. People who weren't the target are still affected by the battle. Life often feels that way. But what if God flips the script? That's collateral beauty. It’s God working Roman 8:28 in our lives.
After my mother-in-law passed away, Deb and I experienced the heartbreaking loss of a miscarriage. It was one of the harder seasons of our family. A pastor friend gave me some advice I'll never forget. He said, "Don't forget to look for God in this experience. Watch for His grace."
At first, I wasn't sure what he meant. But over time I began to notice it. I saw family members rally around one another. Friends showed up with meals, cards, and prayers. People sat with us when there were no words to say. Relationships grew deeper because we carried the burden together.
None of those things made the losses any less painful. But they reminded us that God was still present. His grace was showing up through His people. That's what I think of when I hear the phrase collateral beauty. It's not that the tragedy was beautiful. It's that, in the middle of the loss, God was faithfully revealing His love, His comfort, and His presence in ways we might have otherwise missed. How is God showing up in your loss?
