My first response when a subtle or huge change, I let myself go to the worst, darkest place in my head because I'm in paralyzing fear.
As Christian woman, or any woman, society tells us we can't have a hard day. We can't show it. We can't be real- or its considered a weakness. It's a whole other level with mental illness. We can't write a Facebook status that says- I'm REALLY REALLY struggling today. I'm feeling so defeated. Today something small happened that sent me into an anxiety attack. We just can't say it out loud, because we have to show we have it together. Society says if we are having a bad day- do a Pinterest project. Clean your house to pinterest worthy.
So, today, I'm going to break down a hard day, and honest ways I personally get through them.
We are NOT enough, but Jesus is. Our bad day, our bad circumstance is completely out of our control- and instead of reaching for our phones, our vices, we need to reach out to Jesus. Yesterday, in the middle of a really rough day, I just prayed out loud in my car for a half hour. I just LET IT GO, and let the Lord know what is going on, where my heart is, and invite Him into my space to help me.
We need to know Jesus works it all out for our good. It sounds easier said than done- to wait on Jesus in the midst of a rough day. It can feel like the slowest thing to do. Wait. Not act. I notice when I try to take on everything without giving it all to Jesus- here comes a panic attack. It's taken the hard way for me to learn I can't do a thing about it.
Get familiar with your bible. Open it up. Get you a pen- and write in your bible. My grandma is one of the most Godly women in my life, shes 90, and her bible is chalk full of side notes, underlining, thoughts. The evidence of a live lived with faith is a well woren bible. Don't worry about being scared to write in your bible- some people may be against doing it. Try it. Try it today. Take 5 minutes.
Breathe. Especially if you suffer from depression. Any change- small or big can truly disrupt the day of a person dealing with mental illness. Take 5 slow deep breaths. I have to remember to collect my thoughts through out the day.
Also, write. My therapist asked me to get a journal and write. It sounds corny, but its one of the best things one can do. Write down your thoughts, your fears- and look back in a couple weeks to see how God worked that out. How God came in and handled it. It's quite amazing. My daughter's counselor told her to get a prayer jar and write her prayers she wanted answered in it- and she did and then we looked back weeks later to see God had completely taken care of her worries.
These are simple things you can do, in the middle of the storm, a bad day, a bad trial. It not simple to take a hold of your thoughts and let them go to Jesus. Its pretty hard and requires some practice. I'm still learning. I'm still navigating.
Yesterday I prayed for peace. Peace right in the middle of test, there His peace will be. Just ask for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment