What started as a family outing became the day that would shape the rest of my life. I was just a little girl when my parents took me and my brothers, Corey and Kenny, on that fateful trip. Like any children, we scattered to play, our laughter echoing across the sand. When my mother called us back, only two children came running. My little brother Kenny wasn’t with us.

The hours that followed still replay in my mind decades later – my parents’ increasingly desperate searches, the arrival of authorities, and finally, days later, the news that shattered our family: Kenny’s body had been found. In that moment, fear became my constant companion.

For most of my life, I carried this trauma like a shield. I didn’t believe even God could help me with this particular pain. Instead, I tried to control everything around me – keeping people safe, protecting them from harm, and building walls to keep my own heart from breaking again. It was exhausting, but it felt safer than the alternative. What I didn’t realize was that my attempts at control were actually a prison, isolating me from the very healing I needed. When I first heard about GriefShare, I dismissed it. “I’m in my fifties,” I told myself. “Nobody could possibly understand what I’ve been carrying for all these years.”

But something remarkable happened when I finally gathered the courage to attend. As I listened to others share their stories, my heart broke for them. I felt their pain, understood their struggles, and wanted to offer comfort. Then came the revelation that changed everything: “If I can feel such compassion for others, why can’t I extend that same grace to myself?” The chapters on “stuck grief” and “complicated grief” spoke directly to my experience. For the first time, I saw my decades-long struggle reflected in others’ stories. I realized my pride and need to be right had kept me from reaching out, from admitting I needed help.

When I was finally ready to let go of control, God provided exactly what I needed. GriefShare was where I finally began to heal. This journey has taught me that God can transform any experience, even the most painful ones, into something meaningful. But first, we have to be willing to submit, to acknowledge we can’t do it alone. The enemy of our healing wants us to remain isolated, trapped with thoughts that aren’t true. In isolation, these lies grow stronger. But in community, they begin to lose their power.

Life’s difficulties can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether you’re facing divorce, grief, or any other struggle, there’s a community of people who understand. They’ve walked similar paths and are ready to walk beside you on your journey to healing. If you’re carrying a burden – whether it feels big or small – know that there’s hope and help available. The destructive thoughts and habits that hold us back don’t have to define our future. At Eastside’s Care Groups, you’ll find people who understand and can support you on your path to healing. If you or someone you know is in a difficult season, we invite you to check out Eastside’s Care Groups. Visit eastside.com/care to learn more about our support groups and begin the journey toward hope and healing.