Showing posts with label isolation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label isolation. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Grieving Alone

**Sit quietly, eyes closed in and silence for one minute before reading.**

    In sadness I want to be alone. In sadness I want to wrestle with God alone and I want to cry alone. I distance myself from those that love me. I am afraid they won’t be able to handle my grief or they will judge me for it so I grieve alone.

    We are so desperate to hide. We are so scared.

    It is terrifying to even begin to grieve because it is such a wild animal. When you grieve with others you admit sadness, hopelessness, and a host of other things you’d rather not talk about.

    Yet, as I look at healthy grieving in real life with support groups and in the Bible with people like Martha and Mary I realize that to grieve in community is the way to go.

    God calls us to grieve together. He calls us to enter another’s grief, meet them where they are. He calls us to allow others to minister to us in our grief.

    May God give you the gift of people, who share in your grief, who allow you to grieve freely. Do not remain hidden, do not fear. Grieve well…with others.


**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Be Strong and Courageous

**Sit quietly, eyes closed in silence for one minute before reading.**
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
    What fears linger in your mind? How has your heart been discouraged lately?
Much of my fear happens in isolation, particularly in the isolation of my mind, in my thoughts. No one knows I am afraid or discouraged unless I tell them. A close friend or husband might be able to tell through my actions or my tone, but to most people, they cannot see.
    If others cannot see my fear and discouragement that means I cannot see theirs either. I do not know what lingers in their minds and weighs down their heart.
    The command that God gives Joshua is a command for us as well. Be strong, be courageous for God is with you. God is WITH you, next to you, all the time, anytime. You are not alone and He knows your fears and your discouragement.
    May the presence of God empower and embolden you to live courageously, without fear and lifted up out of discouragement.

**Sit in quiet again for as long as is available to you.**