Tags
Abuse survivors, accepting God's love, accepting support, God's love, healing after abuse, healing after addiction, healing after tragedy, how to overcome a loss, how to overcome betrayal, overcoming betrayal, overcoming hardship, receiving support from loved ones, setting up a support system
It takes a village not only to raise a child but to keep us, as individuals, sane.
“Could you survive in the wilderness alone?” I pondered this question, a fun little ice breaker question given by a girlfriend, and I realized even though I might find a way to manage physically, mentally I don’t know where my faculties would be after a long period of time.
I need support. One person, two, sometimes even three people to hear me. To listen to what is on my heart. To keep my mind from going in the wrong direction and to validate when I need to stand up for what feels right in my gut.
The key to finding true power in support is making sure they are grounded in the same belief system and morality that you live and strive to sustain. My support would be of little use if they agreed with every word I said or failed to realize my emotions were overpowering rationality. The true power of a support system is when we can trust their direction when we know ours might be a bit biased or faulty, which is exactly what happens in times of tragedy and suffering.
God is my number one support. In his word I find comfort, validation, hope and when needed (and I’m willing to listen) loving correction to help me stay on the path toward complete healing and joy. Because God is my #1 I choose to find friends that make him their #1 as well, this way I know if we are in prayer together then when my spirit is weak they shine Christ’s light upon the situation so we can see where the impurities lie.
I’m blessed with an amazing group of women to lean on and I count YOU as an integral player in my support. Already I’ve received phone calls, emails, texts, and even cards in the mail to offer prayer, support and love. THANK YOU.
It might be frustrating for you to not know the ’cause’ of my inner struggle but the cause is not what matters. All that matters is recognizing that every struggle is an opportunity for growth. We can name the ‘struggle’ death, depression, chronic illness, betrayal, life-change, shame, guilt, despair, etc, etc. Call ‘it’ whatever you like, the journey to healing is all the same.
We were never meant to go it alone. Why do you think God created Eve? 
And interesting fact…when Eve at the apple and she persuaded Adam to as well…what was their first reaction when God asked them what happened? Defense
‘She made me.’ ‘The serpent made me.’ etc. But we all know they had the choice to eat the apple or not.
As we have a choice to live happy or not. It’s not easy some days…and admittedly some days I’m so overcome and weak by the ‘evil’ of this struggle that I want to wallow in it and fester. But then it stinks after awhile and it is not what my spirit is used to. I can’t do it. As much as the evil in it wants me to remain in that place GOD DID NOT CREATE ME TO FESTER IN EVIL. He created me with love, by love and for LOVE.
So this is my joy today… recognizing those who are my support system and receiving their love. I love you too! 
Take a moment to reach out to your support, whether it be your husband, wife, mother, father, friend, co-worker, send a note and thank them for loving you through it.
Blessings
Shannon
Just Show Up 
You are not alone Shannon. I am sorry that you are going through this struggle. So close to the loss of your friend’s son too. Much grief gets dumped upon us, but a hero keeps going when everyone else would feel like quitting. Please know that you are one of those heroes to me. Don’t give up. Don’t let yourself be sad. I know that you feel that way, but try to fight it. If you want to write me and complain, so that others not see your weak side, then please do. I would love to be that listener to you. I more than anyone knows that there are two sides to you. The side that you want to show others, the helping, encouraging side. You feel responsible for saying something to encouraging someone else. It helps you, to know that you helped even one person. Then there is the other side that cries out for help. You are lost and alone and don’t feel strong at all. You want to give up and tell the world that you are a mess. You want pity. You want to complain. This is all ok, part of life. So know that I am here to be a witness to both sides of your life. Thank you for making me a part of yours. I pray that you are touched by peace today. Meghan
Thank you… You are not far off but for today I AM ok. ☺️ I will take you up on your offer when I just feel like letting it all out.
You are a blessing.