“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Ephesians‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭NLT

Good morning, DearOne.

Have you noticed that when you bump up your prayer efforts when you’re going through a really hard time, making sure to pray about all manner of things, you will see all manner of answers? And, even if God is saying “not yet” regarding The Big Thing you’re asking for… He WILL say “yes” to other things. There is an order. And a process in which He works and delivers.

And when He does say “not yet”, then His “yeses” to other things will both reassure you and build your faith that He is hearing your prayer about The Big Thing, and in time He will move to bring resolution. You can trust Him here. Especially when what you are praying for is the hard stuff – where you have no control for the choices others make. Keep in mind – someone’s mental illness is not your mental illness.

-Their threats do not need to be your triggers;

-their choices are not your “I should’ve been more ___.”

Do this: As you pray, send them love, not suffering over their suffering. Send them light. Send them respect for the journey they have chosen — it’s not your journey. Their mistakes are part of their story, just as you own yours.

Not everyone is help-able. When you are “trying” to be of service to someone — from paying for groceries, to literally trying to save their life — you have to leave a lot of room for the Holy Spirit to move in them. (Get outta His way).

You cannot know what someone’s soul is choosing, or why. That is their choice and goes with their story. You don’t know. Let it go. It doesn’t belong to you.

You’ve got to know and continue to pray for what keeps you well … MORE than well —

strong,

vital,

lit up,

curious.

What you need for you and what others need from you is your light (not your guilt).

Wake up.

Send them love.

Go.