Would I refuse help from strangers if my car stopped in the middle of a busy road? Or would I welcome the help of those who jumped out of their own cars to push me to the side and to safety? It is obvious that I would welcome the help even though I could not repay them or even thank them properly. So why then do I try to handle my heartaches, fears, and anxiety on my own? Not even trusting those who are closest to me to step in and push me out of the darkness.
I have a friend that is family and lives close but time and time again this friend will tell me of a sleepless night spent terrified without reaching out. Rather than letting those of us that love her and would gladly give up sleep to sit with her and pray through the despair with her. Typically, her fears of the worst case scenario don’t actually play out but the fear and anxiety are their own kind of hell. God wants us in community to lean on and embrace each other. Too often prayer and the support of others is not our go to. We don’t want to bug anyone or we are so deep in the pit that we can’t imagine someone else could help us claw our way out. So we sit alone stewing in the what if’s and the fears. That is the worst idea. That is the worst go to strategy.
Isolation is not the answer and each of us needs to get intentional about letting others in during those darkest moments. But we have to make a plan to call someone and allow them in before we get to that dark place not during it. A hug and an ear are powerful salve to our anxiety and fears. Besides, if my friend or I allow others in there is a greater chance that when the despair is on the other side that friend will reach out to us. Being vulnerable can be scary but vulnerability is one of the best ways to build intimacy. And isn’t that what life is about? Walking together through life not stepping out on our own.
Consider this…………if any of us gets a call in the night to come, we know that we are valued as the go to person that is trusted with this person’s innermost being. What an honor to be their person. In kind, they are our person and we can be assured that they are also only a text or call away from crawling out of bed and coming to us. Bed hair and jammies are allowed on these midnight embraces because what matters is the going through it together.
Now don’t make me listen to your early morning recount of a miserable night but let me in so we can share a cup of coffee and a conversation about how we made it through together. Hopefully, the dread is not realized but even if it is how much better to face it together.
In Him,
Joyful
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