Going it ALONE:

Last fall, I sensed God leading me to get a small group of guys together and study the book called, “Healing is a Choice,” by Stephen Arterburn.   Two old friends and I agreed to meet each week for that purpose.  If you’ve never read the book you should.   In a nutshell, the book helps you examine your hurts and issues of the past, confront or grieve them, and then become a better connector with people.

Even though I had read –“Healing Is a Choice” a year ago, it was something I wanted to share with others.   Little did I know before we began our study that my Dad’s health would take a nose-dive and that he would pass away in three short months.   Now almost eight months later, words can not express how God used these two fine men and the book HIAC to support me during my time of grief and loss.   A dear Pastor once said, “Friends multiply joys and divide sorrows.”   A synonym for the word divide here is to “carve up.”   Making a choice to bring my issues and pain to these guys helped me slice up the issues and my grief.   My problems became less intense though the process of sharing and becoming venerable.   These brothers, Dennis and George were part of a men’s group from many years ago.  We no longer see each other often, yet still keep in touch.   As Christian brothers we often refer to ourselves as the Brothers-Of-Another-Mother.”   We all need friends.

I’m often amazed that Christ, as our leader, was an emotional man.   He made our entire universe and yet wept over the fate and wrong choices his creatures were making.  He cried when his friends died and celebrated at wedding feasts.    In scripture, this mighty creator and sustainer Jesus is often found running to Father God in prayer.    What kind of losses have you experienced lately?   Are you processing and grieving these with others so that healing occur – Or do you just kick the can down the curb waiting hoping your problems will go away over time?   I challenge you to make the investment and choose connect with God and others.   Choose to heal!