3. The Battle of the Emotions
Homelessness produces turmoil and a wide range of emotions. The emotions are so overwhelming that they need to be contained. If left alone, they can cause more damage or take the homeless down the wrong path. To prevent this from happening, many of the homeless take control of their emotions to minimize further damage and to deal with the issues at hand.
Since the homeless handle many different issues, they go on a roller coaster ride that takes them from sadness and depression to frustration and anger. They grieve over the loss of their homes and at the same time, they are confronted by the stigma and the misconceptions.
Without a Home and the Hardships - The majority of the turmoil and the emotions come from being without a home. A home is an integral part of a person. It is an anchor, a base, a refuge. It is a special place that nurtures, protects, and gives rest. There is great emotional attachment to this personal space.
When it is gone, there is a huge void. There is no place to go. No reprieve. No structure in life. No stability. No privacy. No safety. No normalcy.
The homeless are lost and disoriented, and they become nomads. They roam aimlessly, and the new lifestyle is intensely painful. They feel deep sadness and have long periods of depression. Mood swings are a given. Crying jags are the norm. When these emotions subside, frustration and anger follow.
The Stigma and the Misconceptions- After the homeless deal with the loss of their homes, they will have to take on more issues. Issues that come with the homeless life. The stigma and the misconceptions are perhaps the most tragic consequences of homelessness. The homeless have to maneuver their way around these barriers.
When a person becomes homeless, he or she is automatically thrown into an exclusive group and isolated from society. From that time on, a stigma will permeate every inch of that person's life. Whether that person is at fault for homelessness or not, it does not matter. A disgraceful label has already been established.
For the homeless, and especially those who are not at fault, this means living down the unfair stigma that sticks to them like glue. The homeless will have to justify every word, every move, and every plan. This frustrates and angers the homeless who already have a platter of problems.
Throughout the decades, there has been a stigma attached to a homeless person with a substance abuse problem or mental illness. This type of person has lived on the streets for a long time and has been the most visible.
While the majority of the homeless on the streets today are still comprised of people with addictions and mental illnesses, there are subgroups emerging that are changing the face and meaning of homelessness.
Since the recession, many different types of people have become homeless. There are homeless young adults, homeless veterans, homeless elderly, the working homeless who live in shelters and motels, and the homeless with chronic hardships.
They can be seen in parks, in libraries, in churches, standing in line for fast food, at the grocery store, and on the freeway. They drive Jeep Cherokees, Explorers, 4Runners, Lexus, and an occasional Range Rover or Audi.
The point is the homeless population is now a diverse group of people, and the old stigma does not apply.
4. The Battle of the Spirit
For the homeless who are Christians, homelessness is also a spiritual journey. It is a time when the homeless go through long periods of pain and suffering, and they look to God for comfort, reassurance, and hope. It is also a time when there is a battle of faith, and the homeless either grow in faith or walk away from it.
A Test of Faith - Life-changing events have a way of testing people's faiths. They make people vulnerable and make them examine their beliefs and their lives. Some of the homeless-Christians go further--they question God.
Homelessness is one of those life-changing events that impacts people on many levels. The lifestyle challenges the homeless physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis. The stress and strain of living this way cause the homeless to be impatient and demanding. They expect immediate help from God and when this does not happen, they feel very let down.
Christians have been told that they do not have to walk alone in hard times. That God is there from the beginning and will continue to be there to the end. The concern is when the homeless have been on the streets for years and they continue to struggle and suffer, they wonder where God is in all of this.
Homelessness is a critical time when the homeless are totally dependent on God. If God does not seem to be there, if He does not answer their prayers or show His hand in their lives, then the homeless feel forsaken.
Some homeless-Christians walk away from their faiths while others grow in their faiths. The decision to walk away or stay depends not only on their strength and commitment to their faiths, but also to their beliefs in God. If they walk away, they do not understand God and His timing. If they stay in faith, it is because they know who God is, trust that He will keep His promises, and understand His principles. They know that with God, He will bring good out of a bad situation.
Getting Through Homelessness
Surviving homelessness is a constant fight for strength and endurance. The homeless must rise above their problems and manage them. Throughout the turmoil and confusion, they must stay steadfast in the knowledge that the root cause of homelessness is a housing issue, and has nothing to do with their characters.
When life collapses, it is about taking back the loss of control. Climbing up a steep mountain. Persevering and never giving up. Trusting God. It is about clinging to hope and believing that there is light at the end of that tunnel.
Image credit: sgroi via photopin cc
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Homeless Condition Series
A very interesting article and a valuable insight into some of the issues that the Homeless have to confront. What is being done to help the Homeless? Does everyone get help?
Alan
Hi, Alan:
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and found it informative.
In Orange County, which is my area, there is a Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, so I can't comment on it. If you would like to read the plan, please go to www.ocpartnership.net/images/website/1064/files/find_ten-year_plan_2012_445.pdf.
Helen Cameron of Jamboree Housing in Irvine gave me this link. She was part of a group who wrote the plan.
If you have any more questions, let me know. I should be back from hiatus in 2-3 months, but I do check the blog periodically.
Bev