I have a friend who is a Language Arts teacher, who expressed how his students often fail to see the purpose of reading. He tells his students, "We read so that we realize we are not alone."
When I heard my friend say that, I realized that the purpose of this blog is to share with you that you are not alone. Regardless of whether you are going through heartbreak or loss, it is important to realize that you are not alone.
We are social creatures and need each other to survive. We yearn for the comfort of encouragement and love. We thirst for common interests and connection because there is strength in numbers.
However, our pride gets in the way sometimes, preventing us for asking for help. When you are going through a significant life event, many people come out of the woodwork and offer to help or listen. After the initial shock wears off, it is easy to feel forgotten and alone.
In difficult times, we run the danger of feeling alone and letting our pride get in the way of reaching out for help. We may think that we are a bother or weak. However, it is important to have a core group of people whom you can reach out to. Why? Perhaps the answer may be best illustrated in a story.
Pastor Chip Ingram told a story of a young neighbor boy who pounded on their door one night after being scared by the barking of a dog. The petrified boy ran into the house and hid because he was certain that he was in danger. Chip looked out the door and turned his porch light, only to see a small dog the size of a Chiwawa out the door.
How often does our perspective determine our circumstance? We sometimes react in certain ways based on how we are feeling at the moment. If you are feeling alone, you may be tempted to act in ways uncharacteristic to you. It is during these difficult times, when we are tempted to drown in our sorrows that we need to have a core group of people ready to stand with us in our grief. Our core group of people serve as a porch light to help us change our perspective.
Although not everyone is suited to be your support during difficult times, it is important that you find trustworthy people to listen and help you cope during times of grief. The fact is that you can't do it on your own. We all need others to help us through the healing process.
