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When my husband placed our newborn daughter on my chest, I fell instantly, totally, and completely in love. In awe and wonder, I caressed her still-moist body as I examined her face, fingers, and toes. I could never have imagined how much emotional pain I would one day carry on my chest. Years later, in her adolescence, she struggled with substance abuse, self-injury, mental health issues, and thoughts of suicide. The family of Robert F. Kennedy is carrying a heavy burden today as they grieve the tragic loss of his beloved granddaughter from a drug overdose last week. They need our prayers.

Substance abuse affects families in every community all over the globe: rich and poor, high and low and in between. None are immune to its deadly tentacles. Growing numbers of families and individuals have been destroyed at an alarming rate. You may be one of those families.

Looking For Help

When your heart hurts until it feels like it will burst where do look for help? Who do you turn to?

There are many options for you to choose from, but there was only one that met my deepest needs during the darkest days of my life—God; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the creator and sustainer of all life; the heavenly Father of Jesus the Christ. I turned to Him and His Word. This is one of the many Scriptures that  brought me comfort:

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me . . . I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes (Ps. 54: 4, 7).

IF . . .

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If you’re wondering where God is—

If you feel like you’re sinking in depression–

If you’re questioning God’s goodness in the fog of shattered dreams–

If there’s no deliverance or rescue, you are not alone.

If your troubles keep piling up with no relief in sight–

If you feel like the enemy is winning and you’re losing–

Remember . . . it’s not over until it’s over. You are not alone.

God’s not done.

If your child is still breathing, then there’s still hope.

He will never leave you or forsake you . . . NEVER.

Whatever happens, you can trust Him to help and sustain you.

He will.

You Are Not Alone

May God bring you times of refreshment and renewal.

Ricardo Esquivel at Pexels

If you’re wondering where He is—He’s with you and will walk with you in whatever you’re facing today.

Psalm 23:7 in the New Living Translation is a great reminder of this truth:

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

** Where do you turn on your dark days? What is helping you?

 Dear friend, if you have suffered the loss of a child, I am deeply sorry. I cannot imagine your pain. An excellent resource to help you process your grief is Grief Share (griefshare.org). And a book I recommend is Experiencing Grief by H. Norman Wright.

Many parents have told me that my book, You Are Not Alone: Hope for Hurting Parents of Troubled Kids, was also a source of comfort and help. Click here to take a look inside or order a copy.