Hope After Loss - Leaning on God After Losing a Loved One to AddictionSample

Am I All Alone? Experiencing the loss of a loved one already produces feelings of deep sorrow and pain, but when the loss is due to addiction, it takes things to another level. Because of what we have experienced, there is so much more to our loss. We’ve suffered the awful roller coaster of watching our loved ones struggle and fight the battle of substance use. We have worn ourselves out from trying to figure out how to help them. We have prayed and hoped and feared. And then, our greatest fear has come true. We are left with crushed hopes, with guilt and regret. Very few people can understand this heart-wrenching journey and its devastating ending. Family and friends try to show compassion, but often it just falls flat. The stigma of addiction brings with it a feeling of judgment. Horrifically, some people believe our loved one’s death was simply a result of their own bad choices. All of this brings an intense feeling of isolation and loneliness. But YOU ARE NOT ALONE. First and foremost, God is always there. He understands our pain perfectly. As a matter of fact, He watched His own Son suffer. Jesus underwent harrowing emotional turmoil during His life on this earth. He fought temptation in the wilderness, continually fled persecution, and was rejected by those He came to serve. He was even eventually betrayed by His closest friends before suffering one of the most cruel and painful deaths that humans had ever invented: crucifixion on a cross. How amazing to think that God Himself can relate to watching a loved one, His own child, suffer and die. And even more amazing is the fact that He did it for us. Out of His great love for us. God knows and understands our pain, and He wants us to turn to Him for comfort. He promises He will heal the broken-hearted, and will bind up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) Comfort can also be found through other people who can relate to our situation. We quickly learn there are people who just don’t get it. And that’s okay. We don’t need to bare our souls to people who don’t have compassion for our situation. But there ARE people out there who have traveled the road of addiction and loss, and we can seek out and rely on these people! How wonderful it feels to be able to open your heart and share your innermost feelings with someone you can trust, who will listen without judgment, and who is suffering a similar pain. When I met people at Hope After Loss who had experienced the pain of loss due to addiction, and had not only survived but were still smiling, it gave me the smallest glimmer of hope that maybe I somehow could, too. This community of people understands loss due to addiction. They are there to listen, support, and encourage each other, building a connection like no other. With the help of God, we can get through this together! Today’s Challenge: Spend time today in quiet communion with God, asking Him for rest from your burdens. Think about who you can turn to for support and encouragement. Pray for God to bring the right people into your life. Take that step and reach out to someone. Prayer: Lord, thank you that you care about me and that you call to me to find comfort in your loving arms. Thank you that you understand my deep sorrow and pain. Let me find rest for my soul in your presence. Please surround me with others who can relate to my pain and offer support. Thank you that I am not alone.