2024 December #1
By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF)
Sometimes, life is just downright hard. There are times when unforeseen circumstances pop up and all kinds of emotions begin to drown out the joy in life.
We all need to take time to process our emotions and work through options on how to deal with them.
Things like loss, grief, unfairness, hate, regret, sadness, misery, and other emotions may start out small, but if they are not addressed and released, they will begin to grow.
Sometimes, those emotions are extremely strong because the person dwells on them, prolonging the emotion’s existence – which gives a certain “power” to the emotion to control them. At that point, the person may begin to question numerous things in life, including the meaning of life itself.
Some people in that position may choose to “escape” all the emotional roller coasters and seek out their own way of dealing with their situation(s). Sometimes, that includes a bad choice, like introducing something startling and new into their lives.
Escaping could mean experiencing a thrill through “risk” events like gambling or cheating on their partner or going skydiving or any number of abnormal behaviors (for that person).
Some may go on a shopping spree to buy things that they’d never dare purchase when they are in their right state of mind. Making choices that are “outside the box” of their regular habits provides a kind of stimulation that fills their “need tank” for their current situation.
Others may choose to hide in their own space and consume drugs or alcohol. They feel they are in their own safe environment and are not hurting anyone else. However, everything done secretly behind closed doors eventually comes out, one way or another, and harmful consequences are usually the result.
As well, if those deep emotions are introduced to someone at a young age, and the person is not taught how to deal with the way they are feeling, they can begin questioning their own purpose in life as they advance in age.
One of our guests, Alejandro (not his real name), was so fed up with everything that was going on in his life, he was just done. Or, at least, he thought he was.
Here’s his story:
I tried to commit suicide.
I wanted to end my life…
because I felt worthless.
I had allowed my destructive addiction to alcohol to take over my life. I had chronic pain because of that choice. I hurt so bad; I could hardly walk.
I survived the suicide attempt by God’s grace. After weeks of recovery, my family brought me to Joy Junction with the hopes that I could get my life turned around.
I joined the Christ in Power Program because, during my recovery, I had come to the realization that it was up to me to choose to stop the addiction and rebuild my life and body. However, I couldn’t hack it. It was too hard to live without the booze. I left after a month.
Fast forward two years…After having a taste of what I COULD have [at Joy Junction], I finally got tired of the street life and needing constant help to get around – because I still couldn’t walk well. There were some pretty dark days during that time. I never knew if the next day would be my last. I can look back and see that God never stopped showing His goodness to me.
After returning to Joy Junction and joining the program a second time, I was determined to see it through. I won’t lie…it has been a very hard road for me. But, I can honestly say God has been good and faithful to me. He never left me. I am sober and can walk again. I even get to play music “with” God, and I try to do that each day.
I am an example of what God can do for each of us. God shines His grace on everyone.
Alejandro is not alone when it comes to those who have left our shelter and then returned again at a later date. There are a lot of decisions in the mix when someone is trying to make major changes in their lives. People usually ask, “What else can I do?” or “How can I fix this?” at that particular time. It’s a rocky road going between the mountain tops and the valleys in life.
One very important option, however, is not to ignore their circumstance(s), but to make the choice to start again. Making that decision is the first step toward transformation. Introducing people to a different way of addressing their pain is one of the first things that needs attention.
For the majority of the homeless people in our city, food and a safe place to sleep are only a part of the problem. Getting to the root of the reason why they are homeless is one of the major actions we can take.
Broken relationships are a huge factor in why people have turned to a substance or bad habit to help them take their mind off of their situation – the primary issue that is hurting their hearts.
They don’t necessarily miss the door to the home they lost. They miss the person/people behind that door. We offer a 12-step program that helps individuals learn how to have an honest relationship with God. Scripture states He will never leave us or forsake us. He will always be with us and will help us.
Christmas is a wonderful time to begin walking down a new path – one that leads to the opportunity to choose to become a part of the family of God. We believe making that choice will encourage people to seek Him, instead of something else, when the going gets tough.
During the Christmas season, we want to become a temporary family for those who would like to celebrate with a holiday meal. We provide a special feast for people who are hungry, homeless, or have no means to prepare a holiday meal, to try to ease the pain during the time they are without a home and/or family.
Christmas time is as good a time as any to offer the chance to start fresh, and providing a meal could very well be the first step toward that end. Please choose to be a part of our ministry to provide a place for those who are trying to get back to a healthier way of living.
Have a Merry Christmas!
