I sat on the edge of her bed, and she didn’t even look up. I was visiting a friend who was not okay.
It was more than a bad day, it was a sad season for her.
But I wasn’t deterred from my mission to cheer her up. And I tried everything. I suggested fun activities, reminded her of good times, quoted inspiring Scripture, and offered to play encouraging music.
I got an occasional head nod and a shrug.
As I sat there in silence, I thought back to days when I haven’t been okay. Some days I could name the pain I felt and others I couldn’t. And I remembered what I needed the most.
So I did what I should have in the first place: I hugged her and whispered in her ear, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
She sighed in relief. Permission to not be okay is sometimes exactly what we need.
We sat in comfortable silence for a long time. I reminded her that God loved these days the best — the ones we can’t fix on our own. Because He is there with us. He doesn’t always change our circumstances, and we don’t always feel something new, but we aren’t alone. Sometimes that’s all we need.
She wiped away a single tear and whispered thank you. By the time I left, I hadn’t done much, but it was enough.
Today, you might not be okay. You might be facing a mountain of sadness or impossibility. You might be walking through a valley of despair. You might not even know why you aren’t okay. You might be looking at a scary diagnosis, experiencing a financial disaster, or struggling with a wayward child.
I’ve experienced all of the above.
These are the moments we wrestle and do everything we can think of to resolve the struggle in our soul. And life sort of feels like quicksand — the harder we struggle, the deeper we sink. The days seem dark and lonely, and our soul is crushed by the heaviness of despair.
“Laying a life up against the chest of His Word, and hearing the steady beat of His heart, is the only soundtrack that strengthens the human heart.” ~ Ann Voskamp
But only one thing can refresh and renew and save our soul. And that’s the Word. Yet, God’s Word is often the last place we turn. It’s crazy to think a book with words can be the answer, but the Word of God is alive, and it cuts to the broken places and heals what we cannot.
The situation or struggle might not dissolve overnight, but we can find solace and comfort in the words He’s left for us:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff–
they comfort me.
{Psalm 23:2-4}
There’s only one place to restore our soul and find comfort, and that’s in the quiet place at His feet, where it’s okay to not be okay.
Because one day He will make everything okay.
How can we pray for you today?
by Kristen Welch of We are THAT family
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Kristen,
Thank you for your beautiful post and reminder that it’s okay not to be okay. Every day, several times a day, I lift up my son before God. I ask that God would soften his heart and be the home that his wayward soul is looking for. Any prayers you would lift up to join me would be truly appreciated…thanks.
Blessings,
Bev
Bev, I too have a wayward son. I pray today will be the day that deception will no longer have a hold on our sons, their hearts will be softened and return to the open arms of their Father. In Jesus name, amen
Prayers for you Susan and for your son, that all will be well.
Penny
I will pray for him and for you.
Prayers for your son Bev that he will find his way back.
With sincere hope,
Penny
Bev,
Sorry I ended up putting this under Susan’s post:
Prayers that your son will find his way back.
With sincere hope,
Penny
Bev, prayers said for your wayward son, from the mom of a wayward daughter. I have had to place her inn God’s hands so many times. I’ll pray God has His hands on your son and on you. Take care.
Bev,
I am in a similar spot. I have a son on the autism spectrum who is 23, and has decided to listen to “friends” that say we, his parents, are ripping him off, that God is not real, that drugs will ease his pain, etc. I lift my son up to God many times daily, and pray a hedge of protection around him. I pray that Godly people will cross his path and he will listen to their advice, that he will see that God’s way is the only way to climb out of the misery he is in.
I will also pray for your son, and other children who desperately need God’s loving guidance but can’t quite understand that it is right there in front of them. I pray for a peace in your soul.
BC
BC,
Thank you for your prayers for my son…he is 22. Praying for both of our sons that the voice of Jesus will override all the other voices of the world. Praying that we can keep waiting (together) expectantly for what God is going to perform in their lives…
((hugs)),
Bev
Bev, I also have a wayward son and daughter for that matter. My son is in jail he is only 20 years old. He made some really bad choices and is paying the consequences. Not to get into to much detail but my son has a drinking problem and won’t admit it and that is what caused his bad decisions. One night of bad choices will follow him the rest of his life, he is marked a felon. I tell him often that God is speaking to him and God is a jealous God he is trying to get his attention. I believe this is God’s plan for my son I just can’t see right now the good of the plan but God is good all the time! His word tells us so and that is the only way I am coping with this situation is to put it in his hands. We hired a expensive lawyer to try to get him a good plea deal in his situation only to find out the co defendant got a much better deal, no jail time, not marked a felon and only 30 months probation. My son however got 1 year jail time and NINE years probation. I was mad at first but than I go back to it’s God’s plan for him, maybe putting him in jail for a year will wake him up and save his life. Anyway I will pray for your son and would appreciate any prayers for mine as well as my daughter too:)
Julie,
Sorry it’s taken me awhile to get back to you…I hope you believe me when I say that you have been in my thoughts and prayers! I can only imagine the degree of your anguish…I’ve picked my son up from jail and it’s a place that no mother should ever have to go. I am lifting your son up right now in my prayers…that he would turn to God in his addiction and relent and surrender to a Savior who pursues him earnestly and relentlessly. I know it is SO hard to keep turning this over to God and trusting in His sovereignty. God IS good all the time and He can bring good and redemption from even the most hopeless of situations. Your feelings of anger and disappointment are normal. The fact that you keep going back to God shows your degree of trust in Him and His plan for your son. I will continue to pray for you and your son…oh the burdens on a mother’s heart. May God bless you, and wrap you in the comfort of His embrace, and give you hope. You and I, together, we’ll keep trusting…
Love and ((hugs)),
Bev
My 21year old daughter just told a week ago that she is pregnant, and no, she is not married. She lives with us. My heart is broken. I am doing my best, with God’s help, to love and support her. This is so hard. We are also praying that she doesn’t rush into marriage as this would make her situation even worse.
Teresa,
Acceptance can be hard on us when it comes to our children. Hoping for what we feel is best for them and accepting what isn’t what we hoped for. I pray that all will be well for your daughter.
Penny
Teresa,
I am so sorry that the situation your daughter is in is difficult and is upsetting….but I think the best you can do is to just reassure your daughter of your unconditional love for her and her child and encourage her to make all the best decisions for the welfare of her child and herself. I know God will be with you all, with the whole family, during it all and that He will bless you richly for supporting your daughter and grandchild. I will keep you and the family in my prayers!
Even when the circumstances are not ideal, we know that new life is always such a blessing and that all children ultimately belong to God, that He will give your daughter everything that she needs in order to provide well for her child and herself. Blessings to you all!
Teresa, prayers said. Yes, marrying might be worse. God knows best, praying she will listen to Him.
Teresa,
I have just been through your exact situation. My daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl 6 weeks premature April 24th. My daughter came pretty close to dyng and our granddaughter is fine as they both are now. I can remember feeling almost paralized with emotion about her being pregnant and unmarried. However, as I reached out to God each and every day during her pregnancy I could feel his presence and whispers of comfort. Turning this type thing over to God is so very hard yet it also teaches us who is really in control. Seeing that tiny miracel reminded me of the wonderful blessing we were given. Not in “our” time but in Gods. I can actually say I am glad for this whole experience and know they will both be okay because God holds them in the palm of His hand. I will be praying for you and your daughter as you go through the days and weeks ahead. Sending you hugs.
Teresa, please do not over-react . I was the daughter once. I chose to adopt out my child. But first my Mom kicked me out, and my two young children with us. (I had married at an early age, and was home with 2 little kids.) My mom freaked! I’m so glad I did not marry the man!
Give the shock time to wear off, and then take her to a Christian crisis pregnancy center for counseling. Trust her to Jesus! He will guide her . Bless you and the two of them!
You are a wonderful parent. When the same thing happened to me my family forced me to marry and it was the worst thing they could have done. I’ll pray for you and her.
Teresa,
Your daughter is blessed to have a mother like you that she felt comfortable, safe, and secure enough to be able to confide in you about her pregnancy–I was not so blessed. When I became pregnant out of wedlock 36 years ago those I did tell all told me to abort including a pastor I had sought for help. I felt so incredibly alone with no one to turn to, wanting so desperately for someone, just one person, to listen to me and reassure me that things would be okay. Ironically, while still groggy after the procedure was done I cried out for my mom only to hear a nurse beat me down further with sarcasm and unkind words. They say time heals all wounds but this moment in my life never has. Please ask God to bless you with strength and compassion and the ability to push your ideals aside and hug your daughter and love her unconditionally, and then welcome that new little life with open arms and accept the joy the child will bring. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this with me. You have reaffirmed to me that I am doing right, loving and supporting my daughter and talking with her as she asks questions. Thank you so much. I am so terribly sorry for the pain you have experienced.
Twenty nine year old daughter pregnant and unmarried by an abuser
I often tell my friends that – it’s okay not to be okay. Sometimes we beat ourselves up when we feel bad but self-condemnation is a waste of energy (not to mention taking over God’s role as the judge of all things!)
Hi Kristen- Such freeing words, “It’s okay to not be okay.” Thank you for this post and for your example of being there for a friend in a hard season. We walked through a tough season of waiting to adopt and I felt like I had to put on a brave face, but inside I was falling apart. What a gift it would have been to have a friend just sit and cry with me. I want to be this kind of friend.
Kristen,
This is uplifting, thank-you.My thoughts and prayers are with all of you that are not okay on this day.
Penny
PLEASE PLEASE someone out there pray for me…..depression! Lord Jesus help me!!!
I will pray for you. I have terrible depression and anxiety as well. No one knows unless they walk through it. It is a terrible thing. I am learning to lean on Jesus minute by minute. But it is a battle. Don’t give up. I know he is in control and has a plan for each of us. Rely on him for every thought and feeling you have. You are in my prayers. Mary
Hi Donna,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and please believe that through the darkness that you feel, there is light.
Many blessings to you and hope you see through this,
Penny
My post was deleted…not sure why. Praying for you, Donna. Been struggling through PTSD myself, so feel for you.
Lord, I lift Donna up to you, please hold her closely in Your arms. I ask that she fell your presence especially close right now and know that you indeed are with her through this terrible dark time. In Jesus precious name. Amen
Praying for you right now. My husband and I both struggle with depression, so we know sortof what you’re going through. Remember that sometimes our good Lord helps us through doctors he has gifted to understand our troubles. I know some folks see medication for depression as giving up on God–it’s really, really not!!! Don’t be afraid to let God help you through medication if that is what He wills for you.
I will pray for you Donna. I am crying as I write this. I understand. I too suffer from depression and anxiety. It is beyond awful. It’s so difficult to explain. You have to have it to understand it. Dear Donna, I am praying for you right now.
Wonderful words. There are so many times in my life that I think hearing those words would have led me down the path to healing much quicker than the old platitudes of ‘you can get through this’ … or ‘be strong’… or ‘you just need to let go and let God’ … and so many others. I think permission to grieve and just have at least one good ugly cry in a safe environment is cleansing and therapeutic. We all need to be able to let our guard down once in a while. Instead, I think I’ve learned very well how to keep a stiff upper lip and just muddle through. Meanwhile, there is so much buried that I’ve never truly dealt with because I was too busy being “strong”.
Hi Dawn! I can relate to your words. To know that its okay to not be okay is a validation, the permission you talked about, of the moment we are in right now so that we can take that next step in His courage. Praying that today He is at your side, giving you all the you need in His love 🙂
Needed this today. I’ve been down lately about my diabetes diagnosis. Please pray that I will be encouraged and that I will be able to stay on track with blood sugar goals.
Regina,
That can be a difficult thing to be thrown at you but you can do this and I pray that you will.
Thank you, Kristin, for this. I am grateful to Christ for this encouragement. May He be with us all in the not okay today, that we may know His gentle and living comfort in our souls.
STRENGTH IN THE LORD. I AM TRIED IN SPIRIT. PRAYER FOR THE LIFTING OF MY SPIRIT.
Sandra,
Prayers to uplift your spirit.
Penny
My husband and I are separated and he continually does things to retaliate and hurt me. I need the strength to endure as I am committed to not getting a divorce. Please pray for wisdom and endurance for me because I am not okay; I am losing it.
Elaine,
I’m sorry that you are being treated this way. I pray that you will have the strength and wisdom to get you through this trying time.
Penny
Thank you Penny for your prayer.
Elaine,
What a painful situation you are in, and it is so sad to hear that your husband is trying to retaliate and cause you hurt…that is so sad. But I admire so much your commitment to not get divorced…you are doing the right thing! Your commitment will surely impact your husband and help bring him to reconciliation. I think the best you can do is keep praying, praying for him to see the light and return to you and your love. I will keep you both in my prayers!
Don’t know how to feel today. Was planning at least to go to the gym today, but now I hear that my sister (who with her family was in Europe this past year), is picking up her dog this afternoon (we’ve been dog-sitting her for the last year) and my mom’s laying the guilt-trip on me to be home by that time. Not sure what to do.
I needed this. My hubby is working abroad and we’re really missing him a lot my daughter and I. Am not feeling ok since several days but im making as if everythings right. I did not even have the courage to tell my hubby how im feeling, so sad and discouraged.please pray for us .God bless you.
Gem,
It is hard to be without our love ones! I pray that God will give you comfort and your daughter and you both will feel His presence so strong and be carried through this difficult time.
Gem,
I will pray for your strength and that the Lord will see you and your daughter through this.
all the best to you,
Penny
Thank you. Tears streaming down my cheeks as I read this. I try so hard to be okay, but don’t give myself the grace to be okay with not being okay. Learning to be a single mom, struggling to be okay with being newly divorced and learning how to do this on my own. It’s hard.
Pamela,
Prayers for you as you go through this…..
Penny
Yvette
Dear Pamela. I am a single mom for over a year now. I seek help from my church for my daughter and I, and now we are doing really great. My daughter attends Youth Fellowship to interact with Christ like influential youths like herself and I have a great relationship with my church family, also I am very involved in church activities. I think that you should give this a try and see how God will work things out for you.
Thank you Yvette.
The July 4th weekend is hitting me hard seeing my friends families and their children. I long for a family and children of my own
and it is so hard to watch that dream not be fulfilled year after year.
I surrender my relationship with Mark to God, let His will be done in it as in heaven. I want for God to restore it, I hope God would work in my favor. I know that it’s whatever God’s will is. That He will do what He wants, what is best for both Mark and I.
Thank You Father, God.
Joanne
Prayers for a restored relationship. Prayers also for peace and contentment whatever God decides.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you for your post. It is so difficult for me to give myself the grace to be not okay.Please pray for me as I have 2 daughters who struggle with anorexia. One is recovering, although not walking with the Lord, and the other is in the throes of it along with overwhelming anxiety. My relationship with both of them is strained – they have pulled away and many times I feel like the family is being torn apart. I also struggle with depression and I am weary of the fight.
You are in my prayers, Martha. The Lord is with you and I pray for your complete healing!
Martha,
Prayers for healing for both daughters. May God bring a healing touch to them and help them realize what they are doing to themselves. May God restore your relationship with them and help them to see your love & mercy. Prayers also for your depression. May God bring rest to your weary soul!!
Blessings 🙂
Great Post! My goodness do I ever understand, July 1st was a day like that the darkness was so deep and the pain so bad! I have not thought of suicide since 1972 but it kept running through my mind mercy it was bad! But God—– If it had not been for the Lord who is on my side!! Thank you Jesus! Very Encouraging Post!!
Praying for you, Pat. I pray that the Lord brings you complete healing and that you feel His loving arms around you!
Oh He Did !! Restored !!
Thanks so much! God has brought me through!! He always will!
Thank you for this. I get so tired of explaining to people why I feel bad — as a cancer survivor with a number of residual difficulties — I just want to be accepted as is. The person I was is no longer here — physically, mentally, emotionally. Can I just be loved as I am!
Becky,
Prayers for you as you struggle each day with the side effects of cancer. May God help people accept you as you are without question. Remember God loves you & so do we here!!
Blessings 🙂
Jesus loves you Becky just as you are!!! There isn’t anything present or future that change God’s love for you.
He is awesome. My brother and very best friend
I also need prayer for my children to return to their Savior. They are beautiful. People and i love them so much. God bless us everyone. Nothing can seperate us from the love of Our Savior even Jesus Christ . For us all in his sacred name Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thank you for showing me that it’s ok not to be ok/satisfied or happy with life. I know God has a purpose in my situation my prayer is that I may rest in him while I wait for his craftsmanship in my journey. – thanks
Your words allowed me a big exhale. Thank you! My life is great! Healthy kids, hard working and faithful husband, good friends. Still, some days, I’m just not okay. I feel so guilty. It was so good to hear it is okay.
Thank you Kristen
Please pray for my son who is repeating 8th grade. He is a wonderful person but did not take his studies seriously enough. Please pray that God will transform him this year through this experience and that he will excel from this point onwards. Please also pray that my broken heart, frustrated, helpless heart will heal. Thank you.
Grateful
I am so glad to read this. I am divorced and don’t want to be, I have 2 tween daughters, I have been having horrible gall bladder attacks, and I cannot find a job. I just had to sell our home of many years and move into an apartment and right now I feel like the world is folding inwardly and I can’t makr it stop. I know God is with me, I just can’t find him. I can’t do this anymore.
This is a welcome reminder that God is the Provider of what my soul craves: quiet pastures, still waters, and His presence.
Thank you Kristen.
I needed to hear this today, I have not been ok now because of a wayward son not taking his school work seriously and not recognizing God in his life.Your post reminds me that it’s ok not to be okay and that the word of God is true and alive. I will now lie beside still waters and He will restore my soul..
I pray for all the other mothers who are experiencing the same. This difficult time is a test of our faith as we are now powerless and have to trust God to do what only he can do, since this pst week I have been hanging on to Prov 3:5 ” Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Thank you and have a nice day!
Yvonne
Thank you Kristen, really touch me, really need this right now, as I am facing a lot of fears and anxieties since my husband lost his job almost a year now. I am pretending that I am strong and okay, but hurting inside to see my family finance situation. Please pray us.
Kristen, you don’t know how bad I needed to read not only the article but the comments as well. We are raising a wayward 17 yo granddaughter. She is an honor student but chooses all the wrong friends. I am faced with every one of the problems and more that has been mentioned in these comments. My daughter (Destinees) bio-mother is homeless and threatens to commit suicide. We have helped her 3 times since she left me at 14. She went back to the same lifestyle everytime. I too have prayed and prayed for God to soften these girls hearts and I have told them they are looking for happiness in all the wrong places. I’m so sorry this is so long but thank all of you for your comments and I will pray God will turn our situations around and will pray that He will give each of us the wisdom that we need. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Wanda
My dad passed away yesterday. I needed this.
Just what Imneeded to read this morning. Your words, it’s ok to not be ok, helped me to feel a little more at ease with my current situation. I teared up as I read how God loves days like this. I know He is in control of this situation and everything will workout according to His will. It’s the “seeing the forest through the trees” is what gets me. Especially when I try so hard to get to the solution on my own instead of relying on God’s timing and strength.
Reply to Kristen,
Wonderful post and so helpful!
Toni Star
Toni Star
Thank you for this post, reminder. I have Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I’m not a Veteran, but a Mom and caregiver that was finally overloaded with experiences of trauma. Some days I’m overwhelmed with fear of living on this earth. There is so much pain. My gracious Lord drawing me close under his wing helps calm my body & mind. Repeating His promises and trusting that He is in charge also helps. I will add this post to my collection of verses so I am reminded that I’m okay, and I’m healing.
Please pray that I will be healed of depression that I can’t seem to come out of…..leaning on Him the best I can…..can’t hear His voice or feel anything like His Presence, but holding onto His word that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I feel as though I don’t belong anywhere anymore, friends say they are praying & I believe they are some, but no personal contact except by text, no real encouragement. They don’t know how to help me, I don’t blame them….I just need my Lord Jesus to touch me & heal me and help me live again.
Father thank you for our Precious Jesus and His Precious Blood … We now cover our sons daughters spouses grand babies and all circumstances that Concerns each and every one of them with Your Precious Blood Lord Jesus and Thankyou for Keeping Them each individualy under, surrounded, and covered by Your Blood Forever! Thank you Father that Your Word says that You will keep us from All evil (no matter what form it takes) You will keep our lives Ps121 /1John 5:14&15
This article reminds me of a pastor I heard at the Orange conference his name is perry noble he writes books and gives talks saying “it’s ok to not be ok… But
Its not ok to stay that way” when to get help when you are in ministry and continuing to feel in mental dispair.
Thanks for the encouragement. There are days sometimes I have my off days where I struggle to keep things together and sometimes they fall apart. This message has given me hope for the future. Bless you!
I needed to read these words today!! Thank you. Please pray for my son Jake who to find the right path and do what is right. He needs all the prayer he can get. Thanks, Melonie
This couldn’t have come at a better time. My husband passed away June 22 and I am lost. Thank you for the encouraging words.
Thank you for the reminder that the lord is with me. I am not ok , but to those who know me I seem to have it all together. My son need to take medication for his mental health issues, but refuse to . We need to select our beautiful home in an beautiful gated community. Only two families have come to see our home in two mths. My prayer is that the Lord our God will indeed put in my son sprint to tame his medicine, an for Him who cares to send us a buyer. We can only be here for another 2 mth before things become despite. Your sister in Christ Jesus.
As I read this, I had found myself alone in an empty room while the loudness and busyness of a family reunion went on without me. I needed time alone, which is very hard to find, especially as a single mother raising 3 boys. I’ve been going through a season that seems like it will never end; I think I see hope, but it turns out to be false. I need prayers for strength, wisdom, and discernment. I need someone to talk to who has been through what I am going through. I need to feel God’s presence and comfort, because right now, I don’t. I need courage and resolve-for what, I’m not entirely sure yet, but I know I’m going to need it.
Dear Allison,
Praying that you will be anxious for nothing , but in prayer and potiton present your request to the lord with Thanks giving and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus amen. It is done in Jesus Christ Holy Name. When two are more are gathered in His name He will be in our mist.We serve an awesome God. . He is faithful.
It is a relieving message to those who are not ok.
I am encouraged that it is ok not to be ok. I try to be strong in my faith knowing that people are watching me in my struggle. My son need to take medication for his mental health conditions ,but refuse to. I need to sale my home , which is a beautiful home in an gated community. Yet there have been 2 families that have viewed the home. My prayer is that my son begins to take the medication he needs ,and that the Lord our God will send us a buyer for our home.
Thanks you for your words of encouragement! In my situation I have a friend who is Christian, who wants to go to my Christian school, and my church camp, and all over her family agrees on it, besides her Dad. I pray everyday, but can you please pray for her? And second, this girl’s dad’s best friend’s niecce has Krabbs, and is only expected to live till age 2. Kristen and others, please pray for her family, to bring her father back to God when he lost him. Thank you
This was just what I needed in this moment. Thank God for your ministry.
I truly needed to read this article, especially now. I take care of my mother who is recovering from stage 3 breast cancer, my diabetic father who is about to lose his leg, and my two boys ages 2 & 8yrs old. With all that’s going on, my husband started a new job so we will be relocating 10 hours away from my parents, next month. Many days I wake up feeling like things are not OK. I’ve never been more stressed out than now. Please pray for my family.
Kristen,
Thank you so much for being with your friend and telling her it is ok to not be ok. So often we feel we have to have the perfect image and always be “put together”. Truth is a lot of the time we are not ok. Frazzled, rugged women trying their best to hold it all together. Now I’m dealing with resigning my position at work, Assisting in the care of my aging dad (in assisted living-had multiple medical issues last year), wondering if hubby will lose his job, family medical issue. Need peace and contentment!
Prayers for everyone here!!
Hi, My name is Liz. I need prayer for physical healing. I thought I was just tired because of selling our home and moving into our new home and just all the stress that comes along with that. I have already been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years back and have worked through this disease and am managing. My doctor now chalks up all my ailments to Fibromyalgia. All the tiredness just fell under Fibromyalgia and my doctor wasn’t going to do anything. Then I started noticing last Summer that my hair was breaking. I thought it might because of coloring my hair so I stopped. I started loosing hair and actually started developing some bald areas around my face. My scalp was inflamed and hurt; even to the point each hair folical was bothersome. I was sent to a dermatologist and he prescribed some ointments and rogan to help with inflammation and help my hair grow back. I also changed shampoos to very natural products. But nothing seemed to change. The dermatologist has since prescribed 2 other medications. He has diagnosed me to have Skin Lupus Disease. Its a scary disease (scary to me anyways). Some people end up with open sores and lose large patches of hair. I am currently on medication to treat this disease (also used to fight malaria). I have to stay out of the sun. Now I have blood in my urine and going through more blood tests. I am not being treated for the blood issue since the doctors are waiting for results to come back. I just need a miraculous healing from head to toe. Please pray.
Thank you for reminding me it’s okay that I’m not okay today … And many days in between. I feel like I’ve been in a season of not okay. It’s been a long, difficult year for me. Please pray for me. My husband left me a year ago for another woman. I’ve been praying for him to repent and return home and for God to restore our marriage. Things seem to be getting worse. Today, I feel discouraged. I know God is sovereign and he works all things out for good. I just am so tired of not being okay while my husband is in rebellion and continues to hurt me. Please pray for my husband to come to his senses and repent and pray for the Lord to give me strength to continue in this spiritual battle.
Timely words for me….I have a 55 year old brother, my youngest of two, who has lost everything and everyone to the alcohol addiction. One year, he lived homeless in the woods and when he came to the end of himself, my husband & I opened our home & heart to him, with the hope to restore what the devil stole from him. Our once condition was to not drink alcohol and it didn’t seem to be a problem up until this year. He lived with us for 3 years, working to earn his keep, while having painful physical health problems. He was restored to the Lord, contact with his adult children, his parents and we enjoyed the fun-loving, considerate person who loves to help people. He helped alot of elderly neighbors and was heavily involved in volunteering for church maintenance work. We included him in every part of our lives, loving and accepting him, paying for anything he needed since he overworked himself to help take care of our large property & house. Then, in this 3rd year ( a repeat cycle), he drove himself into a manic working mode, drinking excessive amounts of high sugar/caffiene drinks and eating ibprophen like candy, and not sleeping at nights. He became argumentative when I would express my concern and the very thing that I feared might happen some day has come into full circle. After arriving home from a stressful week long trip of burying my grand uncle, my brother was drunk and announced his choice to return to alcohol. He was making a bit of money doing odd jobs for people. I gave him a choice to to stay without it or to leave if he continued, so with 2 days worth of flare-ups between us, he moved out, but not far away, within walking distance. He alienated all the friends he had helped and who helped him out, and finally set up a tent camp on a wooded property that we own a half mile away. He developed severe heat stroke symptoms which are easily triggered and are always a concern to me. It is very distressing to have him walk up to our house acting like he is going to pass out and die right there. We visit him every 2 weeks when I am distraught with worry over him, only to find him in the same condition of being beligerent that nobody will do what he wants and his health is very bad to where he had emts take him to the hospital several times (using a paycard phone with no minutes but can dial 911). We have been through this “tough love” mode of watching him destroy everything good thing around him and trying to kill himself. I struggle with turning my back on him when he plays the “feel sorry for me ” song for as the older sister, I have always been there for him. I want to show him love & mercy but then it becomes an enabling tool for him and we are at a place of no more enabling. I cry alot on the inside and outside, and get mad at my mixed emotions of not wanting him in our lives, to worrying if he has died alone in the woods. My husband has been my rescuer and consoler through all of this, which is a comfort to my hurting heart. My brother has to come to the end of himself and I am trying to trust the Lord with whatever definition that comes in.
I am going through a very dark time. If I told you why, it would sound so silly. It even sounds silly to me. I am crying constantly and I don’t feel like I will be happy again. Your devotional spoke to me. Thank you
I sure did need to read this- thank you!! I will be praying for everyone’s children here. I also have an extremely wayward son who turned away from the Lord and I pray every day that he comes back.
I sure did need to read this – thank you!! I will be praying for everyone’s children here. I have an extremely wayward son who has turned away from the Lord, and I pray every day that he comes back.
Thank you for this devotion. I may a few days late in reading it, but I think I got it just when I needed it? I have been feeling so out of sorts and so alone. God sent my son and one granddaughter just when I was feeling so alone. They have just left and I am so afraid of going back where I was. I pray that God will help me each day to draw me closer to Him as He is our strength!!
As I read the desperation and the pain that mothers are feeling over their wayward sons I would like to share something that I heard from Joyce Meyer on her television programme.
She read Ezekiel 37 about the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel had walked back & forth among the dry bones when, the Lord asked, “Son of man can these bones live?”.He said “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know” Then God said to him “prophesy to these dry bones and say to them, dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” This is what the sovereign Lord says to these dry bones, “I will make breathe enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breathe in you and you shall come to life” “Then you will know that I am the Lord”.
I have a wayward son too, and other situations in family that I see as dry bones, dead, dry and seemingly beyond restoration, BUT I have done what Ezekiel did and I have prophesied the word of God into the situations, believing that new life can be put into the people and circumstances involved. As we are waiting to see God work we must not give up but just keep saying, “God is working”.I have been so much more at peace as I believe that God is able to do far more exceedingly abundantly more that we can imagine. God is greater than the situations that we struggle with and I give Him Praise and thanks for what He can and will do. God Bless all you dear Mums and Dads! Gail
very touching post and oh so true. Please pray for my best friend whose son’s wife took their 2 children and left while he was at church a week ago. He’s devastated, doing a lot of soul searching, and we’re praying his wife will do the same and realize this relationship is worth fighting for.
Thank you for this sharing. It has given me something to share with a colleague who’s daughter passed on last week. Please pray for him as he buries his daughter on Saturday 18th July 2015
You dont know how much this has helped me… thank you..
Thanks for the assurance that it’s okay to not be okay. Sometimes as followers of Christ we feel as if we have to go through difficult times in ours lives with a smile on our faces and a beat in our heart but if we are to be honest with ourselves we know we feel the exact opposite.