Bear One Another’s Burdens

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Are you personally suffering a loss or know someone who has recently lost someone very dear?

Holidays can be very sad and stressful when loved ones are no longer with us. As we navigate the holiday season we all need to be aware of those around us who are hurting. Consider reaching out with an encouraging call, card, or offer to meet for coffee. Sometimes knowing someone else cares makes all the difference and lessens the pain just a little.

We are called in Scripture to “bear one another’s burdens.” Families are used to gathering together during the holidays, and when there is that empty seat at the table, it can be very lonely as the grief and loss is much more apparent during the holidays.

I particularly like this Scripture that says it best:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV

I hope this “golden nugget” encourages you today!

Life Coach Jane “Goldie” Winn, MSS

More of Goldie’s Nuggets HERE

 

For an encouraging read, RAINBOW IN THE NIGHT: A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kindle.

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

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

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.

Take Time to Hear God’s Voice

Take Time to Hear God’s Voice

The Lord says in His word to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 NIV

I used to take quarterly retreats by myself to pray, write, reflect, and rest. I felt it was time to reinstate this tradition. I found a hotel on the beach that had very high cleansing standards for Covid-19. I believe it is important to quiet our minds and hearts so we can hear His still small voice speaking to our hearts. 

I have taken this time to pray, reflect, and write about all I learned during the quarantine. There have been amazing life lessons. Perhaps for me the most important realization is to appreciate every day to the fullest and not concern myself about the future. 

One of my life scriptures comes from Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

Also I have come to appreciate in greater measure the simple things in life. I have allowed the Lord to fill up my gratefulness cup to overflowing so that I can be a blessing to others. I would love to hear from you the greatest lesson you learned during this pandemic. Please feel free to email me at goldalah@icloud.com

I’m here for you and please stay safe.

Jane “Goldie” Winn, MSS

Author of Rainbow in the Night: A Journey of Redemption

janegoldiewinn.com

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

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble