You Are Not Alone

When I listened to this song for the first time recently, I thought back on the times that were the darkest in my life.  One day life was running smoothly, on track to happily ever after and the next day the bottom dropped and the lights went out.  I was sent into a crazy, out of control tailspin that left me hanging over a cliff. There were times I isolated, times I hid in addiction, every day seemed empty, void of help, life or light.  There was no escape from the hopelessness, no help for the helplessness.  Or so so it felt like.  I shut others out, had a nominal relationship with God in name only, I hid from the pain in the bottom of a bottle and packages of drugs.  Many, if not all of us have faced that kind of darkness in some way.  Illness, loss, difficulties of different kinds show up and take residence in our lives.   This song brought me back to those years, and to the wonderful deliverance I experienced.  It reminded me that even when I couldn't accept it there were people that cared, and a Savior who was always by my side. 

I was blessed enough to have a Mom that didn't give up on me and kept up her prayer vigil until I finally was able to see God's hand reaching for me.  He was standing, waiting to walk me out of the hopelessness and pain.  He provided a pathway to wholeness in the form of counseling both inside and outside of the church.  I spent many hours talking with others like me, in group settings, many hours in study and prayer with the Lord.  I found a great Bible that helped me get grounded in healthy thinking...The Life Recovery Bible, I highly recommend it to anyone facing addiction.  The struggle to freedom was not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it is so very very worth it. 

Those days did not leave me without scars.  But our scars can be things of beauty when viewed in the light of God's healing.  They are reminders that we survived, that the Lord lifted us out of whatever pit we were in and put us on the right path.  Instead of living in shadows we now live in the light of Jesus. 

Isaiah 61:2-3  He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.   To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Maybe you are still living in the black hole of hopelessness and hurt.  My heart breaks for those who see no way out.  I was there.  But God does not leave us nor forsake us....even when if feels like He has.  It's not easy, it's not pain free, but He does deliver us not always from but always through the dark.  Sometimes we must walk through the "valley of the shadow of death" to get to the "peaceful streams." (Psalm 23)  

Ever since I first heard this song a few days ago, I felt I was to share this message.  To share His hope.  Deliverance doesn't usually come over night, nor does it come without a fight, but in Jesus we have the victory.   One step, on hour, one day at a time.   Don't be afraid to reach out, open up and lift your head. 

Psalm 121:1-4  I look up t the mountains--does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.  Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  

Oh Lord, You are our deliverer.  I pray for each person facing life's darkness, feeling alone, left adrift....Lord be with them, hold them, lead them.  Today, let the see the first step to take out of their pit.  They may still struggle, the problems don't always go away, but neither do You.  Lord, help us all to see that in You we can stand, in You we have victory, in You we are strong.  I pray that people struggling with so much hardship will know You love them, know You are with them, and know others are praying....I am praying for them.   Lord give them courage and give them hope.  Show them if there is something they need to do, or somewhere they can get help, lead them in the right direction.  You know the best path for all of us.  And Lord, thank You for the freedom You now let me walk in.  Thank You for all the people You sent to help me and to walk with me out of the darkness.  Thank You for never leaving my side and for protecting me even from myself.  Lord, You know in this world we will always have tribulations, but all we face here is temporary compared to the eternity in heaven where You wipe away every tear and take away every pain.  Thank You. 

Please know today that you are not alone.  Study and claim as your own Isaiah 61.  Believe.