Have you ever had to say “goodbye” to someone you love? One of the hardest things in life is letting go of someone we truly care about. Whether they die, move away or move on, we’re left with an overwhelming sense of loss. Our loss. There’s a gaping hole in our everyday life. Love and friendship are missing. Their quick wit and laugh which brought a smile to our face are gone. Their comfort in our low moments won’t be there anymore.
It feels as if we’re left with a lead weight around our shoulders that we have to carry forward on our own.
Do you know someone in this place? I do. It’s dark and lonely, and few can understand the very real sadness. This isn’t how life should be. The love of a special friend is a precious gift, and when we lose it our life is thrown into turmoil. We’re nauseous and depressed. We either want to run away, escape into fantasy, or crawl into a hole and hide.
I wish we didn’t have to feel this way. I wish there was a list of steps that could pull us up out of the pit of loss. I wish I had a magic potion to offer that would take the pain away and heal our heart.
The only remedy I know is love.
We’ve lost a close friend or family member. Our life is now void of their love. We need the love of others. We need the love of God.
I’ve been in the pit of loss and despair. I’ve endured the pain of abandonment and rejection and my father’s death. I know how hard it is to hang on when no one is around to help. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen, a shoulder to cry on, an arm to hold us tight so we can let it all out. Oh how I wish I had these when I needed them. And I pray that anyone struggling through the loss of someone special in their life will reach out to someone they trust.
If you know of someone who’s hurting, will you be that friend to them today? Will you go and sit with them? You don’t need to have answers or give advice. Just share your time and offer the gift of your presence. Let the love of Jesus flow through you. Let them know someone truly cares about them so they don’t feel alone and isolated. Let them know God sees every tear and hears every prayer, and He truly cares about them too.
Love brings hope.
We can’t always find love or hope on our own. When we’re blinded by the tears of sadness and wondering why it has to be this way, we can’t encourage ourselves. We need a friend. We need a sister. We need someone to help us hold onto the truth of God’s love for us and His continued work in our life.
If someone you know is hurting, please help. Please love and encourage them. Please hold them tight and pray over them. And continue to pray for them and follow up with them in the days to follow. They need to know someone cares.
If you’re struggling with the loss of someone special, please reach out to someone you trust and let them know you need help. Or send me an email so I can be praying for you (Joy@RisingAboveRealLife.com). You don’t have to be alone. Saying goodbye for the last time is extremely painful. And feeling alone or isolated compounds the loss.
Please believe that God truly cares for you. He’s sad when you’re sad. He’s there with you, even now. I know we don’t always feel His presence, or see how He’s working in our life, or understand why things have to be this way. But He loves you deeply and doesn’t want you to hurt.
Run to God and let Him hold you tight as you cry. He’ll never let you down.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” Isaiah 66:13
May I pray?
Father God, Your love for us is tender. You feel every hurt we feel and you share every emotion. As a mother comforts her beloved child so You want to comfort us as Your beloved children. Help us to come to You today. Help us to feel Your presence. Please, Lord, please let Your comfort break through the pain and bring peace. And please give us the compassion to help our sisters as they struggle through their “goodbyes”. Amen.
Q4U: Will you comfort someone today with the gift of your presence?