It’s all around us – it doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or what you do … someone you know or someone associated with who you know – is SUFFERING. Suffering from something that is putting a huge burden on their life. Personally, over the last several months, it has affected a lot of people around me. This thing called LIFE can be pretty hard sometimes and there are so many ways that people choose to find relief. Two of my friends have recently lost their sons – one to a heroin overdose, the other to suicide. Another friend lost her husband to years of abuse (one more fix did him in). He left a beautiful family behind. One of my daughter’s friends decided to use heroin a few weeks ago – fortunately he survived. Another one of my friends decided to use cocaine and was basically knocked out for a few days. I have often wondered what causes someone to do something like this. What is so bad in their life that causes them to create a temporary thought that gives them the will power to possibly end their life.
I will admit, there have been times in my life where I felt like it was impossible for things to get better. I felt that the bottom was lurking around the corner. But, my God and my family were always a much stronger voice for me than the voices that were continuing to whisper in my ear.
The following scripture verse has always been one of my favorite verses that I turn to when my mind starts to wander and I begin to lose sight of reality.
Isaiah 40:29-31 – He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
A friend of mine sent me this message the other day – “If we are honest, we are either battling sin, actively sinning or in the aftermath of sin.” As I kept reading it over and over, it started to become so true to me. When we allow our sin to continue to compound – the weight gets so overbearing! Our walls begin to close in on us and the darkness seems to take over the light. When we find ourselves in the midst of this storm, depression can set in, our self-worth begins to crumble and our mind starts to create falsehoods about ourselves. I think you can see where this is going. Maybe you have actually found yourself experiencing this downward spiral. If so, how have you been able to win the battle?
Since this barrage of incidents within my inner circle of friends and family has affected me personally, I have looked at a certain aspect of my prayers a little differently. I am now praying for ANYONE and EVERYONE that is suffering through life. My prayer is for them to find peace within. That they will be able to overcome the demons that possess their minds and bodies. I pray that they begin to see Hope and that a personal relationship with God can begin to calm the storm. I also pray that they seek and find professional help. I recently had lunch with some close friends (two of which I mentioned earlier that had lost their sons) and a husband and wife who had a son that became addicted to drugs. Their son was able to find the courage to fight his addiction. The family spent a lot of money sending him to treatment centers and spent a lot of time in prayer. They have opened up a Center for families and their kids that are battling addiction. There is no cost to families seeking help. I encourage everyone, if you know someone that is suffering, please grab their hands and let them know they are loved and pray for them! Ask God to enter their hearts and help them find help. Be the person that Gives Hope to their life.
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
