Embrace the Pain

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Lost loved ones, financial despair, failing health, broken relationships, abuse, emotional anguish, loneliness, rejection, etc.: these are just some of the situations that break our hearts, bring us to tears, and bury us in depression. Left unchecked, it can wreak emotional havoc in our lives. Our first impulse, when faced with overwhelming emotional distress, is to escape. At times the pain can be so great that we don't know if we can survive. At times, it will seem there are no solutions to be found. So, we find our escape in other relationships (that may be bad for us), excessive work, alcohol or drugs, anything that will take our mind off the pain. We live in a society that teaches us emotional pain is weakness, expression of that pain is annoying, and trying to explain your pain is an attention-mission. However, in this life, there is no pain-free life. Tragedy will happen. Trials will come. Emotion-evoking experiences are inevitable. While it is unhealthy to let the pain dictate your life, while it can become self-centered to "camp out" in your pain, it is also detrimental to try to ignore or reject it. One must embrace and accept it to move from hurt to healing. If you are going through devastating circumstances or crushing emotional trauma, then call it what it is. Feel it, but immediately take control of it. Don't let the emotions control you. There will be waves of emotions that return until the healing process is complete; for some it could take a life-time, and for others months or years. Just be honest with yourself and don't accept labels such as irrational or dysfunctional. If you are going through a storm in your life, these suggestions are beneficial: 1. Get professional help. It is not a sign a of weakness to seek out therapy or counseling. It is actually a show of strength to admit you need assistance. 2. Unless it goes against your entire belief system, seek a spiritual adviser. 3. Avoid (as much as possible) those who try to discredit your experience. 4. Learn to allow moments of sadness, but force your mind to remember happy times, as well. 5. Help someone else. It has been proven that helping others heal is, in itself, a great healer. Mandisa has a song that is perfect for this topic. It has strengthened me on many occasions. The lyrics read: "You don't need to run You don't need to speak Baby take some time Let those prayers roll down your cheek It may be tomorrow You'll be past the sorrow But tonight it's alright Just cry" How about you? Do you have a story to tell? Do you have a victory to share? Embrace your pain, but then turn it around and use that energy to light your world.