Walking Through Soul Darkness with Hope: Help! I'm Drowning

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There are times for each of us when it appears that all light, all hope, all answers, all strength, all is quickly fading, all hope is eeking out of our lives and we can do nothing to stop the darkness from coming.  It is a wilderness of soul when we feel that we are at an impass and do not know what to do or where to go. We are tempted to think that we cannot go one step more. We are tempted to think that the Lord has abandoned us.

As I look back on the dark seasons of life, I felt so alone and wondered if I was failing at my ideals—So many of us in this present journey of life feel or have felt at a loss in:

a lonely, empty marriage

life with a difficult child

a prodigal who has shunned all of our values

the heaviness of isolation and loneliness and the feeling that we matter to no one

rejection and criticism from loved ones

exhaustion and the feeling that we just can’t keep going

fear of what the world holds ahead of us

doubts about God

A sense of failure

Shameful abuse that we avoid talking about

Anger that seems to take over our lives, guilt that ensues

Often in these places, we stuff our real feelings, afraid of what others might think of us if we shared them. Sometimes they cause us to feel so far from God, but we don’t want to admit that outloud either.

I have felt many of these things through the years. I was so depressed at points, I didn’t know how to go forward. I didn’t feel like I knew anyone who cared or could understand.

And yet, now, at 68, I can see that somehow, as I literally cried through these life storms, as I begged God for help and wisdom, He was there, even when I could not feel or see him. I had no other choice but to push forward one tiny step at a time, yet I can verify that as I held fast to God, He companioned me. And so, a few months after Covid started, though there were many difficulties in my life—and I didn’t know Covid would last so long, I decided I wanted to write a book about these passages to come along side women, to sympathize with their sadnesses, hurts, loneliness and to give comfort and wisdom that I longed for when I felt so alone.

This week, I am gently sending this book out into the world. I would so appreciate your help in getting it into the hands of any who might need encouragement right now. You will be hearing more about this and some amazing and wonderful resources we have put together for you so that it won’t just be a book, but a way heal, to write out your feelings, to find and cultivate community, to wash your weary heart in the truth and hope of the Word of God.

But mostly today, I just wanted to start the journey with you on my podcast. I pray for you and hope you will be encouraged. Won’t you join me in reading my new book? You can download the first chapter for free by clicking the button below!

Books Referenced in this Podcast:

 

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