Today is October 31, 2009. Except it being the day that some folks celebrate Halloween, it is STILL the day that the Lord has made, and we should rejoice and be glad in it.
But if you have experienced a recent loss, even today may be a "blue day" for you. It's amazing how the happiness of others can depress us more when we are already sad or hurting. But may I encourage you friend that you do not need permission to be sad? A friend told me recently, "Verinda, you must feel your life". I did not understand the meaning of that statement until my friend explained that we can stuff our feelings or trade one feeling for another, instead of owning where we truly are in our journey. The way to overcome is to own what it is AND THEN claim by faith through the word of God what is SHALL be...
I will smile again...
I will laugh again...
I will love again..
I will trust again..
I will have faith again..
I will succeed again...
I will......live and not die, though this experience and the feelings that go with it appear to be killing the best parts of me right now.
We must grieve well in order to be healed from the loss. Hiding, stuffing, escaping and pretending won't work. We must say, I know that you may be well and doing good, but I'm not. I'm sad today. But I know I am fine and okay and that one day God is going to give me my hmmp back! We must embrace all of ourselves...we are indeed complex beings just like God made us to be. That's what I love about Jesus. He was no pretender. He didn't need anyone to tell him who people were because "he knew all men". Jesus also knows us. He knows where you are. He knows your hidden stuff and the leaky stuff too!
I am becoming more grateful for that. I am learning to extend some grace to myself. To be okay to feel but to not to stay there...but to see my whole life, not just the parts or person(s) I have lost along the way.
I may have lost a friend...but I still have a few great friends I can count on.
I may have lost the anticipation of a love interest...but that means that I am now free and open to explore other love task opportunities.
I may have lost my job..but I am now learning how to lean and depend on God to meet my needs in surprising and miraculeous ways.
I may have lost my stuff...but I am learning that "life does not consist of the possessions I had"..
I may have lost my faith in God in my pain and disappointment of what was lost....but I have learned that God did not lose me...and what feels like a loss is really God trying to "enlarge me" on the inside to seek and pursue Him more...
You and I must approach life in a way that is restorative even in our brokeness. The walk by faith message is about living our faith out during the happy times and the sad times. If you are angry, deal with it. If you are sad, take some time to discover inside of your heart with the Lord Jesus, what's going on on the inside.
Who hurt you? Find that out as well and ask the Lord to lead you to the place where the hurt began..and then ask the Lord to suture those soul wounds, that disappointment, that hurt...
I have even found laughter in my pain....laughter in my tears...which is always a sign to me that sad days and bad days don't last.....laughter is full of God's hope!
Grieve well.....my friends....
God will turn the bitter experiences of our lives to pleasant testimonies of His comfort
A Scripture Verse
Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted", Matthew 5:5, King James Version (Cambridge Edition)
About Our Ministry
Naomi’s Ministry is Christian blog designed to provide encouragement, strength and prayer to individuals who are experiencing loss, grief and recovering from traumatic experiences.
This blog site is to encourage, pray and support persons experiencing a wide range of losses that anyone of us may experience in our lifetime. The parting of a special loved one by death; divorce; the loss of job and financial security; the loss of limb(s) or debilitating illness or disease; the loss of a home or opportunity, are all "losses" and at varying degrees, may catapult you into a grieving cycle or traumatic event. However, we may not be on the road to recovery, if the right resources are not available to give us perspective on our feelings and the changes that happens in one’s life when a loss of any kind occurs. We need courage to grieve and to wait before God for the healing that comes, sometimes, one day at a time.
This is "first" a ministry of encouragement:
Know that what you are going through is normal for anyone who has experienced what you have experienced. Knowing how to go through the process, recognizing when you are grieving and seeking the help you may need will aid in the recovery process.
Know that it is okay that you are hurting. No explanations are needed. Admitting that is a first step toward your recovery. Recovery does not mean that you will forget the one or object of your loss. This also does not mean you will not forget the trauma of your victimization. Emotional healing will allow you to live authentically, freely, victoriously in spite of the event. God wants you to have His Victory through His Son, Jesus Christ who won it on the Cross of Calvary for you and I.
Know that you are not alone. Jesus Christ promised never to leave us or forsake us (The book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 5). This promise found in the Holy Scriptures is a promise from the Lord Himself that He is always with us, even during our darkest nights. Jesus also said, “I will not leave you comfortless” (The book of the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 18).
Know that “The Comforter will come” (The book of the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 7). The Comforter that Jesus Christ is referencing is God the Holy Spirit, (part of the triune Godhead). As you call out to God in faith during this time of tremendous emotional and sometimes physical pain, the Lord will send His Spirit to minister to your mind, body, soul and spirit. He alone can heal the hurts of loss, grief and trauma. The Holy Spirit will wipe away "your tears". Jesus "is willing" to heal you if you but ask and trust Him in the process of recovery.
Know one day you will be able to smile again. The sun will shine in your heart again. You will laugh again. You will have more good days to come. The Lord knows the thoughts and plans he has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), even if you cannot see it in the midst of this defining moment. If you will trust the Lord’s plans for you, you will come through this season, whole and able to continue on in your life’s journey.
Search out a safe and Word-filled church home or fellowship, counselor/support group. God’s Word is the answer. Read Psalms 34, 41, 42, 91, 103, 107, 112, 119, 121, 123, 140, 145. Depending on our needs, we may also need some assistance beyond what a blog, book or cards offer. Professional help is available. Pray and ask the Lord to direct you to a place of healing and confidentiality. Check out the resources at your church or another Christ-centered congregation. Please do not grieve alone.
The time for recovery is NOW. Just like you would go to the hospital’s emergency room if you were physically in need of medical treatment, so during high levels of emotional crisis, you should not wait to seek help or assistance. DON’T WAIT TO GET HELP. This is the time to admit that you are hurting and it is okay.
Keep talking to God the Father, the Father of ALL Comfort. He knows your grief and the journey ahead. Also believe that He loves you even when you are sad. This ministry is reaching out to you with Jesus' love. We are praying for your total healing and recovery.
If you are interested in receiving prayer, please write me at: jesusislord14@outlook.com. Please do not request money - request prayer.
God loves you. We are praying you will feel His love and comfort every time you reach out to read the messages.
Jesus THE SON OF GOD is Lord!
Shalom.
Sister Birdsong
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