Feeling Alone
When life is hard, I have always searched for sympathetic people. Unfortunately, I have told too many people about my struggles and have been burned by those who lack empathy. An unhelpful comment has led me to self-blame, wishing not to open up again to anyone.
Yes, I agree that there is a time to get on and a time to share deep burdens and struggles.
To be honest, going through grief, there are only a few who can really understand and care.
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I do feel that we all need safe people to sit with and understand, and those people become apparent after a while. But it is a difficult journey, as it is possible to get into a toxic friendship where someone sees us as vulnerable, and that is an opportunity for them to control and manipulate me.
The other issue that could arise for me is that I could become a victim. A friendship that becomes all about me and how terrible life is, to me, is not friendship.
Hopefully, a friendship will be two-way.
The most important relationship for me is with my higher power, whom I would call God. Jesus, God incarnate, is where I find genuine relationship. Jesus is a co-sufferer. Jesus was rejected and killed unfairly. So, through prayer and silence, I can enter into a relationship with someone who knows me and understands my feelings. It is a place where I can find peace. If we are willing to stop and listen, we can meet with a higher power. That the higher power will speak and will speak with words of love and care. Not condemnation or judgment.
So, feeling alone can lead to turning to something higher than myself. I know I will be accepted, understood, and loved. I acknowledge the precious friends and family who have walked with me through difficult times.
Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash
