Saving a drowning soul
Deep sadness and depression can be likened to drowning slowly while many people look on and do nothing... just walk away.
What would you do if someone close to you were 'drowning' in sadness? Would you stand a safe distance away and watch.. hoping that someone would come by and help the drowning victim?? Would you throw bricks of judgment and criticism causing them to go under faster??? or would you throw off your shoes, roll up your pants and dive in to save them yourself?
As most of you know, I'm going through a very difficult time in my world right now. It feels like all stops have been pulled and every bad thing that could possibly happen is happening... all at the very same time. I feel like my whole body is immersed under frigid water with an agonizing rip tide that I can't break free from even for just a moment to catch a breath.
I've been reaching out for help to the best of my ability.. but this hasn't been and isn't easy for me because I've been told by so many people that I'm strong and resilient and that I'll get through things, that I'm afraid to admit that I even need help. It's almost easier to stay in a disillusional state and convince myself that I'll just stay in the water until the under current lets up and pull myself out... knowing full well that it isn't going to happen.. part of me knowing that the cold water has taken most of the feeling from my limbs and soon, I will no longer be able to fight the current.
I am< b>SO very grateful for my friends at this trying time in my life. For the most part, nobody is standing idly by on the bridge watching me go under and only a few people have thrown bricks of judgment at me. Other friends have been close by me.. at the river's edge... urging me to hold on... and deflecting the negativity that's trying to cast me down and hold me under the water. A precious few of you have removed your shoes, rolled up your pantlegs and are wading out... against your own fears of drowning... to extend a loving hand for me to grasp and pull me to the shore.
I want to urge everyone to try to be this way. I am right in the midst of it all... and there is nothing more precious to me than knowing that I am not in this alone. That, even though I have many faults, some are willing to risk their very lives to face the under tow of the raging river of depression in my world and make sure I get out alive. I want to urge you to help a friend when you see them struggling and hurting. I'm not telling you to immerse yourself completely in their pain with them. That would be unwise. Only to get your feet a little bit wet... maybe wade in up to waist deep waters.... close enough to extend a hand.. or wrap your arms around them and let them know that they are not alone and that they're going to be alright.
Put away your bricks of judgment and don't walk away. You might not be able to swim... but you can still stand at the shoreline and shout words of encouragement that will keep a hurting soul alive for another minute... hour.... or year.
God says in His word that it is not good for anyone to be alone... for when there is more than one, when one falls, the others are there to help him/her up. I don't think it's in the Bible for nothing.
God, thank You for my friends... for the ones on the shoreline shouting words of encouragement and for the ones standing right in the midst of it all with me. Had it not been for them heeding the call in their spirit, I surely would have drowned by now and my body swept away to parts unknown.
Bless them, Father.. all of them.. with health... prosperity, happiness and the knowledge that they too are not alone. That when I am strong once again and my clothing has dried... and the shiver has departed from my bones, I will be there for them in their times of need.
~~ Peace, LOVE and Happiness ~~
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