A Special Easter Notice

“Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in air…”

We all know that sometimes life can be difficult. Everything can be going along swimmingly when, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, life collapses.

Bereavement, financial strain, mental health issues, redundancy, family problems. They’re all things that can knock the wind out of our sails.

I know from my own experience that sometimes everything can get so big it seems like there’s no way through. The dark clouds are circling and all hope seems lost. Dark day follows dark day; before you know it, it’s been a week, a month, a year…

It’s difficult to know who or where to turn to. What if they judge me? They won’t understand what I’m going through anyway. What’s the point?

“… I know I can count on You.”

For me, my faith has helped keep me strong. It’s been when I’ve seen glimpses of God that I’ve realised that something positive can be just around the corner.

Jesus explains this to his disciples. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full,” He says. He experienced struggles – losing a loved one; not knowing where his next meal might come from; not having anywhere to call ‘home;’ being judged by others. He knows how it feels to live in the messy, complicated and painful world. And yet, He still wants people to have life to the full, not a shadow of what it could be.

Whatever it is that you might be going through, Jesus understands. However isolated and lonely you might feel, you’re not alone. You’re never alone. The biggest lie going is that you’re on your own with nobody to turn to.

There are many people out there to help and support you. For me, my faith in God was the platform on which I could begin to rebuild. Then, surrounded by loving family and friends, and the prayers of many, things began looking up.

What about you? For you, it could be a friend, a family member, some random stranger to talk to. It could be your faith. Who knows?

There’s supportive people out there to help. Please, just give them a call.

The Samaritans 116 123 Free, even from mobiles with no credit www.samaritans.org
Childline 0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) 0800 58 58 58 www.thecalmzone.net
The Silver Line 0800 4 70 80 90 www.thesilverline.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk
Christians Against Poverty capuk.org
Citizens Advice Bureau 03444 111 444 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Men’s Sheds 0300 772 9626 menssheds.org.uk

A prayer you might like to pray.

God of all comfort,
our very present help in trouble,
be near to me.
Look on me with the eyes of your mercy;
comfort me with a sense of your presence;
preserve me from the enemy;
and give me patience in my affliction.
Restore me to health,
and lead me to your eternal glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer from Grace Cathedral: https://gracecathedral.org/prayers-difficult-times/