…That no one wants to walk through. Loss. Heartbreak. Grief. Sorrow. Ugh. It’s inevitable for all of us. At one time or another, we will walk through a season of loss. It doesn’t have to be a death to be a very real, very palpable loss. We have all been there, and sadly we know we will walk that season again at some point in life.
September is when we celebrate the beginning of fall. The autumnal equinox. There is a quote (source unknown) that states “The trees are about to show us how beautiful it is to let things go” and if we sit and think about that, it truly is beautiful. Letting go of what happens to us and the pain that it causes is beautiful. Feel the pain; but don’t let it change you. Pain serves a purpose. You feel pain in your hand when you touch a hot stove in order to remove your hand from the pain source and minimize the damage. Similarly, pain in your heart (or grief may be a better word here) helps you to slow down and get through this time or season of your life, but hopefully not stay there in that season. Heartbreaking things are guaranteed to happen to you. This is even warned in the Bible. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 NLT.
We’ve had our share of this season, but we realize that you have too. We are here to walk this path with you and offer encouragement and quiet support. We are entering into a time of year that statistically has higher depression, anxiety and suicide rates. As much as we love Fall and Winter, we acknowledge that this is a hard time for many. With the lessening amount of sunlight, shorter days, and colder weather; take care of yourself. Take care of your families, friends, and neighbors out there. Let’s be available for each other and really show others that you care. There’s so much heartbreak, let’s combat that with love.
September is also National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. If you feel hopeless and you don’t want to burden someone you love with that knowledge (trust us, you aren’t burdening them..yet I know it feels like you are) please reach out for help. Call 988. This is the national mental health crisis hotline and thankfully it is way easier to remember than before. Hang in there. You are loved. Pray for us as we walk through a season; we will pray for you as well.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” -Psalm 34:18 NLT
