Finding Hope in a Chat Room
Alone and discouraged, I sat staring at a computer screen. I was frustrated by the way my life had turned out. I’d worked hard to hold onto remnants of hope for my marriage, but each day that summer I could feel it slipping through my fingers. I felt so alone. God was still there, I knew, but I longed for people who would talk back. Late at night, I wished I could talk to someone who might understand my questions and respond with compassion. My heart ached with the pain of rejection. I felt so ashamed when I faced friends who knew us as a couple. It seemed like my world was falling apart. I needed encouragement. So here I was, seriously considering going into a chat room.
As I stared at my screen, I wondered. Would there be women who were safe? Would I be able to connect with others who would remind me of what I’d been taught as a child, that God loved me even then, that He’d not given up on me? Would I find friendship or face rejection because of my journey? Perhaps I would remain silent; I didn’t have to share my pain. I had heard the online world was a strange one, and I’d never seen a chat room. Cautiously, I clicked on the button, “Connect.”
Welcome to chat
“Welcome to the room, we’re glad to have you! How’d you find our chat room?” someone asked. Soon I was welcomed not only to the chat room, but into some amazing relationships with women who cared.
Over the next several weeks I began to share my journey. Here were ladies who knew and loved God. They knew His compassion toward the broken-hearted and were willing to listen to my pain. Like salve on an open wound, their care brought comfort to a wounded heart. I didn’t know it that night, but they would continue to build into my life over the next several years. They took time to share the hope that they’d found as they too had faced the unexpected. We spent time in prayer together as I faced a healing journey, one not of isolation but of renewed community.
As I opened my heart to new friends, I found a place where I could be real with my hopes, dreams, questions and disappointments. These long distance friends reminded me that God would never turn His back on me. He would keep His promises. Over and over they reminded me that His plans for me were good plans, ones full of hope and purpose. With their support, I began to reach out to others who were hurting and to share the way God was working in my own life with women who faced similar challenges.
God had not set me aside
In time I realized that life was not over. God had not rejected me nor set me aside. I had an opportunity to reach out to others. I could help. The chat room became a place of hope and excitement as I saw God actively at work in my own life and the lives of others! As I opened my heart toward others, my own life was changed.
Every week I see visitors from around the world come into the chat rooms at Powertochange.com. Some come with the pain of a broken relationship, a shattered dream, or a question that is difficult to ask face to face. Others bring with them the lessons that they’ve learned on their own journey as well as gifts of hope, refreshment and friendship. Each visitor comes with a story and a heart that is seeking. The search may be for a friend, for someone to listen and understand, for advice, for new direction or an affirmation that God still cares.
I am thrilled as I see uplifting friendships develop in the chat rooms. As we share our lives and hearts with one another, many of us see growth and change! I thank God for the way He used online friendships and discussions to restore hope in my life. For those who reached out to me, I cannot thank you enough. My life has been touched and changed.
Have you ever wondered what you might find in a chat room? Why not visit either our co-ed or ladies chat room. It’s free and registration is not required. Come during one of our scheduled topic chats or drop by for a visit during open chat. Chat might be just what you’ve been looking for.
Dear Sylvia,
I can feel the sadness that you are currently in and hope that you will find the inner strength to allow others, such as a few close girlfriends, back in to your life. Regardless of your husbands declining health, you need other people filled with life, joy, and happiness. Have you spoken to your doctor about the feelings you are experiencing? It sounds like you might be struggling with a bit of depression and maybe by opening up to others may in fact be a great source of help to you. Have you tried out the ladies chat room as this article talks about? If not, it might help you to begin opening up and realize that you are not alone in what you are going through. If you need someone to talk to, we have private online mentors available that can come aside and encourage you through this season of life. Just click on this link and complete the form and someone will contact you via email: http://powertochange.com/experience/talk-to-a-mentor/
Sylvia, God does not want you to feel this way. Reach out to others that He places in your path to encourge, comfort, and have some enjoyable times with.
Father God, I pray that You would blanket Sylvia with Your abundant joy. She is going through a lot of change at this time and needs to know that You are right beside her no matter what stage of life she or her husband are facing. She takes her marriage vows seriously and is committed to fulfilling such with her husband but may she come to realize that it is ok for her to have other relationships as well. I pray that You would reconnect her to some of her friends or bring new ones her way so she can enjoy the company of others and life as You would have her. In Jesus name, Amen
I’m like too many. Here feeling that life has left me in its wake. I’m not alone or unloved but feeling as tho youth is gone and is that all there is. My husband of 30 years is ailing and I have become a nurse with nothing inside to feel alive. I have let it go for over 10 years and one day I looked and I looked up and I was old too. Feeling this is what is left. I wanted to feel the same things as when I was young. Marring a man I loved that was 18 years older than myself. I was told it would haunt me…. I am now seeing the years as my husband is ill . I’m feeling sorry for myself.. I feel guilty. I have lost interest in friends too. I do my duty but since I was 52 I simply do what is expected. Not always in the right spirit. I spoiled him for so long and now occassionally resent some things. I don’t deserve more, just miss the feelings. The nights we danced away, loved the nights away. Now it is sleeping alone, not minding tho. Just seeing things that make me think of when I was 16. thinking…or when I was 30… or even 50… now at 62………my work keeps the empyiness away. I won’t leave because it is til death but my insides say something else. I want to feel like I did when I was in love. I’m such a selfish person inside.He wants the same things I do. ….;.Its about choices made>>>>> decisions that will last for a lifetime. God provides all things, I’ll be blessed with that.
Indeed God has good plans for us. I am going through a rough patch but I know despite everything He loves me.