Pain Points: Loss

Pain Points: Loss

Death of Loved Ones, Dreams, and Desires

 

In my book, Rainbow in the Night: A Journey of Redemption, I wanted to share my life story with vulnerability and transparency. Perhaps one of the most difficult areas we face in life is loss, which is universal and comes in many forms. This side of heaven, we lose many people we love to sickness and death, which at times is untimely and unexpected. We grieve deeply and must come to terms with how to navigate our daily life without our dear ones. It’s important to give ourselves permission to take our time with the grieving process. It is different for everyone, and we need to be gentle with ourselves for however long it takes.

But other losses aren’t so tangible. Perhaps you have hopes and dreams for a particular career, finding your soul mate, difficulty conceiving, divorce,  or having to come to terms with the deepest desire of your heart remaining unfulfilled. This is when we need to lean into very deeply into our relationship with the Lord and cleave to Him.

I wrote in my book about some very difficult losses I experienced in my life. But perhaps the one that hurt the most and took the longest time to grieve was the loss of not having children. Without getting into the whole story which I detailed in Rainbow in the Night, my husband and I came to this decision together. However, for me it was a very deep loss. There were times I felt despair, loss of identity, and even struggled with suicidal ideation.

How did I get past this dark season? First of all, I needed to get it out in the open. I sought professional help and asked many dear friends to pray for me every day. I made a decision I was going to view my loss through the lens of the eternal perspective. Once I recognized that what mattered most is how I trust the Lord on earth even when my heart was broken, I began to feel hope again. I engaged in “life giving” activities and allowed myself to grieve what “might have been” if I had become a mother. I listened to Godly counsel, read my Bible and prayed every day. Then I earnestly sought the Lord to reveal His plan for my life. I was surprised when He revealed His will for the next season, but I embraced it and came to see that His ways are higher than our ways.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:8-9) NIV

It comes down to choice and trust. Will we allow the Lord to heal the wound so we can move on and fulfill His purposes for our life, or will we allow bitterness and unforgiveness to rob us from experiencing joy and freedom? I am deeply grateful I chose to surrender completely to the Lord and allowed His transforming love to heal my broken heart.

I know you can do the same, and please know I am here for you…

“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3) NIV

Jane “Goldie” Winn, MSS

Author of Rainbow in the Night: A Journey of Redemption

Click on any of the following links to buy my book. Thank you!

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

 

Here is a link to Goldie’s video on Pain Points: Loss.

The New Normal

The New Normal

Resiliency and trust are two attributes I talk about in my book “Rainbow in the Night: A Journey of Redemption.” As you can see in the picture of this palm tree, though it fell after a major storm, it continues to grow and flourish despite the circumstances. It used to be straight and tall, palms blowing in the wind, and now it’s flat on the ground. But notice that it is still flourishing, and other plants are growing alongside to support the trunk.  

While we are facing all the changes in our world as we know it due to this worldwide pandemic, we need to trust that we will get through it as long as we adjust our attitude and have hope and faith that this too shall pass! 

We can help and support each other to find new ways to adapt and cope. We are all in this together! Pray and keep the faith!

For an encouraging read (especially during these trying times), you can buy my book, RAINBOW IN THE NIGHT: A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION, on any of the links below.

 

Blessings,

Goldie

Click on any of the following links to buy my book; thank you!

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

Journey to Victory

Journey to Victory

I’ve been asked why it took 20 years to finish writing my book “Rainbow in the Night: A Journey of Redemption.” There was more healing needed in my life before I was ready to complete the book. I wanted to write from a place of victory.

As I walked further down the path of life, I didn’t know what awaited me on the other side. However, I knew that when I finally emerged I would be someplace different then when I began.  When I started writing again, everything fell into place. And I could see my life in perspective—not as a victim but a victor!

Hope you will take the journey with me!

To read more about my life story, you can buy RAINBOW IN THE NIGHT: A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kindle.

Blessings,

Goldie

Click on any of the following links to buy my book; thank you!

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

A Place I Called Home

A Place I Called Home

In Chapter 1 of my book, RAINBOW IN THE NIGHT: A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION, I write that my father (a psychiatrist) was offered a position to become the superintendent of a very large state mental hospital in Independence, Iowa.

We left St. Petersburg, FL in 1957 and drove to Iowa to make the move. It was a formidable structure, and we lived on the 2nd floor right in the administration building, which you see in this picture.

My childhood was quite interesting as you can imagine! There were 1100 mental patients when my father assumed his new position. To read more about my journey, click on any of the links below to get your copy!

Blessings,

Goldie

Buy Now on Amazon

Buy Now on Amazon Kindle

Buy Now on Barnes & Noble

Your Gratefulness Cup

Your Gratefulness Cup

As I took an evening walk behind our condo in beautiful Delray Beach, FL, I began to reflect about the gratefulness quotient. As a Life Coach, I encourage my clients to reflect daily on all the things in life that make them smile. If we maintain an attitude of gratitude, our whole life perspective changes. When our gratefulness cup is full, others around us will also reap the benefit! If you need help filling your cup, I am here for you…

Jane Goldie Winn

Author, Speaker, Life Coach