When the Pain is Too Heavy

Those painful moments come in our lives at some point and they seem so difficult to handle. It could be from the loss of a loved one, a failed relationship, hurtful words from a person close to you, or issues at work or school. Maybe you got yourself into a bad situation. Maybe you are being bullied by someone and can't find a way of stopping it. Maybe you are being abused and feel your voice is lost. Whatever the circumstance, you can feel all alone and like no one sees or hears you. Transparent. A ghost.

It is so heavy on you. You try to hide the bruises, not just the physical but the mental wounds, the emotional lacerations, and the spiritual abrasions left behind. The victimization you suffer can put you in a place of despair. When you try to reach out for help, you don't even know how to bring yourself to express the pain. You have no way to make another person know exactly how you feel. The tears come at a moments notice, even when you aren't thinking about it. Your inner-person is still in the situation although your physical-person is somewhere else.

How do you make it stop? The pain! How do you get the attention of others to see? You smile to hide the tears. You verbalize that you are fine when you are emotionally bleeding. You don't know the last deep breath you took because it feels like each one may be your last. If they are not your last, you may feel like you're better off if they just stop. But they don't stop.

You withdraw because of fear, shame, and desire to protect the aggressor. You withdraw to hide from the world. You are not alone. There is help. We see you. Let us be there for you. The words, the support, the resources we give you may be hard to face. It's like a surgeon who has to cut you open to get to the inside of you in order to fix whatever is wrong. The surgery is painful and causes new scars but without it, you won't make it. Let us take you to surgery so you can be healed. We will wait with you, pray with you, stand with you, and recover with you. But you must get the surgery you need for your life. The situation must be cut out of you! Breathe through the procedure and be healed!

Each breath of life you take is an opportunity to live another moment. Each breath signifies a chance to change your life. You are loved by someone. You are cherished and needed. You are worthy to have a better life. Just... keep... breathing! We are here to listen to you. We are here to support you. We are here to cry upon. I promise, you are not alone. We all may not be able to relate but you have us.

Just when you think the pain is too heavy, there is a way to escape! Keep breathing. You may question God asking Him why were you given such a challenging life. But, someone needs to hear your story. Someone needs to hear of your victory. Each time you pray may not be the time you are delivered. It may be the time you are given strength to endure and patience to hang in there one more breath! Each breath you take, remember someone weaker than you needs to hear of your victory.

Your scars are not because you were too weak to fight. Your scars are not because you were a survivor. Your scars tell the story of a warrior! Your scars tell the story of the pain you thought at one time was too hard but gave you strength for today! You're not weak because of your situation, you're strong because you are enduring! Tomorrow is not promised to us! So today, just decide to breathe... one more time! One more! One more! One more!