From My Heart to Yours

All right y'all, I've come to a point. After reading post after post about people struggling with depression and brokenness, I can't sit back and watch it all happen without saying something. So I'm stepping out to write y'all a note of encouragement. I hope you find some sort of comfort out of it during your battles. If you don't have these struggles right now, I hope that if you find yourself in a hard place, it'll be a comfort to you then.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I'm there with you. I've been there. I am there. I know what it's like to feel like you're drowning. The neverending downward spiral. The blackness. The feeling of cement filling your ribcage, making it more and more difficult to breathe. The emptiness. The nights of tears, wondering if this pain will ever end. The feeling like you're alone.

But the truth is, we're not alone, fellow brothers and sisters. God always holds those who cry out to Him. His ear is open to our cry. He never slumbers or sleeps. He's attentive to our needs. So cry out to Him. Trust me, He hears you. He'll never turn you away.

From my heart to yours, I hope you know how much you are loved by your Savior and by me. My heart often lifts up in prayer for my people who face these daily struggles. I strive to mention each of you by name when I know your name. And even if I don't know your name, I still pray for you. You're not forgotten. Not in my heart.

I pray that the God of promises holds you. That He will uphold you with His righteous right hand. I pray that the peace which passes all understanding will fill your hearts and minds. I pray that you would be strengthened. I pray that this night of mourning would turn into a morning of song. I pray for you, my people.

I'm not going to promise you happy days ahead while we're still on this side of heaven. That's not a promise we're given. It might get better, it might get worse. But what I can promise you is this: that through your weakness, God will show His unending strength. His goodness and mercy will follow you all the way home. So don't give up fighting the good fight. God is our refuge. God is our strength. He won't leave us or forsake us. You will be held and He will never let you go. Run to Him.

For the time being, I'll leave you with several verses that bring me great comfort:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me and the light around me be night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you." Psalm 139:7-12

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I hope these bring you comfort whenever you find yourself in a dark place. If you do find yourself in the dark again, never hesitate to reach out to me. My heart is always open. I'll pray for you.

With all my love, your sister in Christ,
Sarah R.