Susanne, this comment made me tear up — I know that feeling of being overwhelmed so acutely. It’s painful and discouraging. The heartbreak that comes from watching loved ones make poor decisions often seems to be more than we can bear! Yet I know that Heavenly Father loves them even more than we do, and He is watching out for them AND for you. I often think of a talk Henry B. Eyring gave a few years ago entitled “To My Grandchildren.” There is a line in it that resonated deeply with me and that I hope will be comforting to you as well:

“Years ago a friend of mine spoke of his grandmother. She had lived a full life, always faithful to the Lord and to His Church. Yet one of her grandsons chose a life of crime. He was finally sentenced to prison. My friend recalled that his grandmother, as she drove along a highway to visit her grandson in prison, had tears in her eyes as she prayed with anguish, “I’ve tried to live a good life. Why, why do I have this tragedy of a grandson who seems to have destroyed his life?”

The answer came to her mind in these words: ‘I gave him to you because I knew you could and would love him no matter what he did.'”

God is so aware of us, and that’s why we have Jesus Christ in our lives. With Him, all will be well again. He loves you and because of Him, hope is never lost!

Try as I might, I can’t articulate the deep, soul-searing pain that accompanies the feeling that hope is lost and that life will never improve. It hurts perhaps even more than any physical pain I’ve experienced.”

These words really resonated with me, Amy. I’ve been struggling, up and down, up and down, with losing hope, too.

I see how much my loved ones struggle with pain, poverty, poor choices, etc. etc. etc. and it nearly drags me under. The waves of pain wash up and over me and I can’t find the strength to hang on. I could probably manage the pain of my own life and choices, but when it involves others (my children especially!), I just can’t. I didn’t do too bad the first few years, actually, but it’s really wearing on me now!

Thank you for your words of wisdom at the end, it gives me renewed hope that it’s possible to endure. I will again remember to place my burdens with the Lord.