Happy Monday!

When you feel like you can’t get out of bed…

When you don’t know where your next mortgage payment is coming from…
When you failed royally and feel like it’s over educationally for you…
When the pain is unbearable because of divorce, an affair, loss of a loved
one, betrayal from a BFF, or losing your home to bankruptcy…
When you are torn between your divorced parents, or just broken because
of your fractured family…

When you’ve gotten a diagnosis that promises very little hope in the prognosis…

When you have flipped your lid to the point of possible or actual insanity…

When __________________________

(you fill in the blank.)

Let’s start with the most soothing, life-giving, hope-filled place we can, namely, scripture. When there has been devastating loss and our hearts feel shattered into a million pieces, the Word of God is like medicine. I hope to care for you in this chapter to the best of my ability by ministering

His Words of healing to you. He is the Great Counselor and Great Physician. I believe, as you connect your faith to the following verses, they will penetrate your mind, spirit, and body, giving you a sense of relief and hope regarding whatever you are facing right now. There are answers that we can find nowhere else except in His Word.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11NIV

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NASB

“This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:19, CEV

If your loss is recent and you are in a vulnerable place, please pause here and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you from one of these verses. Then journal your cry, His whispers, and any answers that come from letting these verses wash over your soul.

When I was dealing with loss one particular season, I read a book by Dr. Phil called, Real Life: Preparing for the 7 Worst Days of Your Life. It helped me sort through things in a healthier way than I had figured out how to do on my own. We all go through varying losses, handle them differently, and process them in healthy ways some days, and not-so-healthy ways other days. I highly recommend reading it if you have just come through a tragedy. There are so many truths within this book.

One of the biggest takeaways I can share is that loss is loss is loss.

It is legitimate and valid to need to grieve whatever loss you have faced, whether a special person or a stolen purse. The Bible tells us that we perish for lack of knowledge. I strongly encourage you to get knowledge that will help you not to perish when you feel like that is exactly what you are doing.

Grief can become so heavy that you cannot bear it if you don’t gain knowledge about healthy ways to grieve. Read Hosea 4:6.

I have learned personally that dealing with loss is much like the feeling of waves that wash over you and make you feel like you may drown or be washed out to sea, emotionally, never to return. I’ve had others tell me it is like going into a box of grief to deal with emotions, cry, face the pain, and then come out of the box to go about life as best you can.

During the grief process, many therapists say it is healthy to “go into the box of grief.” It’s important, though, to learn your limit so you don’t stay in too long or avoid facing things all together. Grief doesn’t have to come in and take over your life. You can learn to ride the waves of grief, much like surfing. I picture the Word of God being like a surfboard that keeps us

above the shark-infested waters heading us back to the stability of dry land.

If you have dealt with any kind of severe grief or tragedy, your heart is probably beating fast right now, as you are most likely tracking with every word. Or your heart may be soothed by these words because you relate and are learning to accept the new normal after loss.

Our responses to loss are as different as each one of us are from one to another. Something to remember when you feel like all hope is lost: All roads don’t lead to Rome, but a whole lot of them do. In other words, overcoming hopelessness, grief, or loss can look very differently for each of us. 

The common thread we all have, when finding our hope again, is that we begin to believe The Truth over what may be simply true. Truth trumps what is true.

For example, it may be true that this horrible thing has happened, but the greater Truth is that God will neither leave us nor forsake according to Hebrews 13:5. Proverbs 18:10 states that He is a strong tower, the righteous run into, and they are safe. The Truth is that with God nothing is impossible to those who believe, (Mark 9:23). There is mountain-moving faith inside of us if we are born again, (Mark 11:23). The Truth is that fear is a liar, (John 8:44). Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world, (1 John 4:4). The Truth is that He supplies all our needs – spirit, soul, and body, (Philippians 4:19).

This blog wasn’t for everyone but if it was for you and it was medicine to your soul, I’d love to hear from you and pray for you. Please email me at Hello@adriennecooley.com or DM me on IG @addiecooley. I was there! I, too, felt like all hope was lost at one point but guess what?! It wasn’t and it isn’t for you either! There is ALWAYS Hope! In fact, can I be honest?

I truly feel like this maybe more often than sum. And that’s why God has connected us… You are not alone. The Truth that I’ve shared with you today is a rope of Hope. I pray will you hold onto it for dear life like I do many days knowing that all hope is NOT ever lost! 

Xoxo,

Adrienne Cooley

P.S. When hope feels distant and life’s challenges seem too heavy to bear, finding moments to reconnect with yourself and with God is essential. That’s why I invite you to consider the Happy Girl Getaway, a special opportunity to find rest, healing, and joy with other women walking similar paths. It’s a time for building deep-rooted hope, surrounded by a faith-filled community. If this resonates with you, feel free to fill out the form here to learn more about the Happy Girl Getaway. You’re invited to discover the joy and strength that await you.