Some Hard Times

[dark.lightning]

I have been experiencing some troubled times lately. My parents have told my younger brother, sister, and me that it's possible that they may get a divorce. Another thing I found out is my cousin is addicted to drugs. Every time I hear a word that's related to my cousin, my emotions head south. I just broke up with my girlfriend, and I know that she was really disappointed about it, which made me feel worse, but I believe it was for the best. Another thing that's not important but is slightly annoying is I'm not doing as well in sports right now as I know I can be. That wouldn't normally bug me, but it's coming down at he same time everything else is. I also found out that my uncle (not my cousin's dad) is an alcohol addict. All this is hard to deal with at once. I've prayed about these things for a while, and talked to two friends about this, but I still feel a little bit down. This has been going on since about September 6. (This isn't each individual thing, only when my huge wave of sadness started.) I'm not as sad as I was at first, but I'm still down about it. I think my grandmother is terrible upset about this, but I think she's hiding it. Her son and grandson are both addicts of something. And my cousin's sister told me that my cousin looks up to me. I feel bad for him because his older sister moved out of their house in her high school years, I time when my cousin really needed her. His younger sister is the youngest in the family as well as the favorite. His mom doesn't love him. Neither of his sisters has the same dad as him, or each other for that matter. Drugs have also caused him to do something terrible that almost cost my aunt (not his mom) her car, her job, and most importantly, her first grader child named Destiny Rose. I'm upset by what my cousin's done, but I feel worse about his situation. He feels loved by literally nobody, and I don't think he knows he can go to Christ. It's hard being in this situation. My prayers have helped me feel better, and knowing that God was always near me for those first two weeks really helped a lot. Another thing I've done is found a comforting image and song to look at and watch. Am I being selfish by worrying about all my sports when all of this is going on? Is it fair for me to worry about when my cousin doesn't get the chance that I do?

 

[Paige_something]

(I'm sorry that this reply is really late)

Hello,

It does sound that you have been through a lot recently, and I’m sorry to hear that. But you seem to be handling the situation very well, and I am sure that God is proud of you for the amazing way that you’re handling all of the stress and the heartbreak.

Keep praying though these difficult times, because prayer is powerful and effective, and it can transform situations. Through simple Spirit-filled prayers of faith, you can see God work in miraculous ways. Pray for God to restore your parent’s relationship with each other, and also for Him to restore your cousin’s broken heart and to bless him with an amazing revelation of His love.

I know that all of these situations can be overwhelming, but in a strange way, in spite of all of this, you can be excited because it is time for you to rise up and stand in the gap for your cousins and your family. You are blessed to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in these situations. He can use you in a mighty way to begin to restore the broken walls of your family. You are blessed, and through you, your family will be blessed by God too! Remember, God can do ANYTHING, and He can use ANYBODY. Don’t be discouraged!

I don’t think that you are being selfish by worrying about your sports. But bring that before God too, and He’ll help you. He created your heart, and if sports are in His plans for your life, and the passion for it is placed in there by Him, then it will remain and you will do amazing at it. God has plans for you to have an amazing future that fulfils your heart’s desires.

 

[dark.lightning]

Thank you for your kind words. What you say makes sense, you had me look at the situation in a different way. I believe that this may be a part if God's plan because He can make everything better, even if we don't think so at the moment. I will keep praying, and try to talk to my cousin. Though your words didn't completely omit my sorrow, you helped a lot. Thank you for giving me this new view and keeping me encouraged.