When We’re ‘Out of the Woods’

This is a wonderful image. Entering a field clear of the tall-timbered forest is analogous for the sort of delivery we experience when we suddenly find ourselves not anxious or depressed anymore. Somehow we made it through to the other side. Suddenly we no longer tremble in the sort of fear, helplessness or hopelessness we used to.

This is very much about the person who perhaps suffers significant though mild episodes of grief-originating anxiety or depression, and not so much the person who suffers acute or prolonged episodes of same. (But, the latter may still be helped by these thoughts.)

This is about adjustment and acceptance of that fact.

The Hope Generated

Looking forward, we see a golden plain and a path to travel upon, or certainly we don’t perceive the obstacles that once recently lay before us, that mine field.

It’s a wonderful hope-filled future as we learn not to gaze back too much; we know the dark night happened, trapped and alone in the woods we were, but now the day has dawned and well clear of that daunting environment we now are.

The Thanks Communicated

When we’re out of the woods we can look back at that dark nemesis and afford praise and thanks to God that we’re free of it at last. We prayed for this and now it’s happened!

We know what we’ve gone through and we don’t wish for it again, but we’re thankful that we’ve learned a thing or two: how to cope in there, and how to get ourselves out of future sinkholes easier.

We’re thankful most of all for space and clear vision and for fresh air to breathe; that hopelessness and helplessness and fear have turned into a free hope, spiritual abundance, joy and even a sense of wonder.

After all, this is a miracle that’s occurred.

The Purpose of It

The dark night time had its purpose. We see it afterward. Adequacy we faced and for a time we failed. Inadequacy—our own self-concept—if anything, brought us undone. We somehow needed to be more adequate. And this is what we’re learned, hopefully.

Next time we will be more adequate for ourselves; more prepared and more likely to face-off that dark issue before it overwhelms us... or at least square-off better with it during the battle. This experience has helped us to not fear future sinkholes as much.

But, for now, we’re just relieved. And we draw our temporal confidence again.

We’re gaining experience. We’re plumbing the depths of rationality and reason. Though pain is ‘a necessary evil’ as experience is acquired—being part of the means getting us there—the hurt in the pain dissolves on impact, and we’re suddenly better people for this furnace-engendering process of life.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.