“The power behind me is greater than the problem in front of me.”
Yesterday Brandon received word that one of his friends from the street had lost their battle to drugs. It is a sobering (no pun intended) reminder of the life and death battle people with addiction and in recovery face. This is second such experience in the last few months. The previous one was a person who had been clean for thirty days and seemed to be embracing his new life. This most recent experience was someone who Brandon had confronted and warned of impending doom if they didn’t do something to change. You can tell people what they need to know and you can attempt to will them to a different place – they have to want it more.
Regardless the battle, at its worst, there is a sense of despair and loneliness. There is that moment in our lives where we look at all the noise and negativity associated with our struggles and we can easily feel all alone in having to deal with them. I can attest to my personal experiences with Brandon, that there were many times I truly believed that I was the only one feeling and managing this pain. Then, I discovered I was wrong.
When I reflect back on the past eighteen months, I had people walk into my life on a regular basis offering real advice, love, support, and guidance. While I did not always embrace their gifts to me, I realize now that I was never really alone. There was a stronger power behind me that was offering and providing me the strength to deal with the issue. I wasn’t always in a place to receive, accept, or recognize it.
I am grateful for the people in my life that represents and bring that power and that love. I realize how much they were offering me. I am grateful that Brandon has made as much progress as he has in his challenges. He is still here. As we were recently reminded, his battle is a life and death one. Whether he realizes or recognizes or embraces the power of the forces behind him, I cannot say. However, for the rest of us – we are never alone to face our battles. Every one of us has a greater force behind us to help us manage what is in front of us. Trust and believe in that power, recognize and embrace those resources when they touch you, and never stop believing in the your ability to work through it.
