Happy September everyone—a tree in our backyard is already boasting red leaves! This month we will embark on a journey to hope.
After countless hours of frustration, I contracted a Pakistani creator on the other side of the globe to design new covers for my companion books, I Was Broken, Too and Finding Hope. After many (emphasis on “many”) attempts, it came together. To celebrate, I will share a thought from one of the books each week. I hope this first post resonates with you.
Fading hope is like fading light; it darkens our surroundings. We don’t choose to go to this dark place, but neither do we choose not to go. Life’s assaults weaken us and, in our diminished state, they carry us to places where fear threatens and vision dims. In the midst of the darkness we can’t see a way out, and the prominence of our problems obscures the hand of God. It’s a shadowy, murky place to live. Who of us wouldn’t want to experience a miracle… in the midst of our desperation?
The path of hopelessness is a downward spiral that will continue to deplete your spirit. I know. I lived there—the place where you may now live. The place of brokenness.
Under the weight of sorrow upon sorrow, amazingly, somewhere deep within, hope still flickered. Haltingly, I made choices that set me on a course that would restore my hope. This book tells of my journey and the four paths I walked to find hope again. I share them as a weary traveler who was dangerously close to losing her grip. My struggle, sadly, is not uncommon.
I cannot erase your pain or restore your loss. But I can offer you four paths to renew your hope.*
Next week, we will step onto the first path to hope.
Now available on Amazon:
I Was Broken, Too: Four Paths to Restore Hope
Finding Hope: 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart
* Excerpted from I Was Broken, Too, chapters one and two.
Good morning, Barbara.
God has gifted you with written expression. I have to be honest with you, the PTSD I experienced with Marc’s stroke and his subsequent seizures from the stroke caused me to loose my breath when I read the subject of your email.
Sincerely hope you have a good upcoming weekend. Hope you and your family are well.
Faith🌸💗🌸
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I’m sorry this distressed you, Faith.
Not only does God lift us when we fall into despair, but He does miraculous healing, as when He physically lifted up Marc and rescued him. What grace! What evidence of His love and power.
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Yes, God has lifted both of us; I have lingering symptoms that catch me by surprise. 🤔
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Hi Barbara, Sorry again for reacting in anxiety with the title of your blog.
It was a wonderful blog.
I’ve had anxiety for as long as I know. My Mom had epilepsy. As a teenager she fell out of the second story of a barn and hit her head. The damage caused seizures. One day I remember her having 3 seizures.
Marc did recover wonderfully from his stroke but there are left over medical issues. The stroke damaged the interior of the brain with lesions. The lesions cause seizures. I’ve counted 9 times I’ve called 911 for him including two times in NJ when he had a bulging disc and another when he fainted from a bleeding ulcer. One time here he fell down the last three basement steps due to dizziness from seizure medication. He broke 3 ribs and his collarbone. Had to call the ambulance that time cause he couldn’t get up.
Long story short, Andrew asked me to go for counseling which I’ve done for about a year.
Boy that was too long a story. Sorry Barbara. The anxiety is getting much much better, praise the Lord. God is my strength and he’s my peace more and more and MORE!
Much respect for you, Faith 🌸💗🌸
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Thnx Barb. I cud use the encouragement right now !
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Love you, Sue!
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