By my early-40’s I’d earned a few certificates and degrees, four children, two dogs–and the unenviable position of being diagnosed with several disorders. Anxiety. Depression. PTSD. PMDD. Even a penchant toward dissociation.
As a young woman, I’d been certain I could shed the shame of my childhood and embrace happiness. Peace. Living. But I didn’t realize that old, unhealed wounds fester and leach. That anxiety wasn’t something I could dust off like a farmer’s pair of worn cowboy boots.
[bbctt tweet="I didn't realize that old, unhealed wounds fester and leach.That anxiety wasn't something I could dust off like a farmer's pair of worn cowboy boots.#mentalillness#hope#letsgetrealseries"]
Time clicked by and, ever so gently, God nurtured and healed. Provided wise counsel and tools to help manage the tumult of soul-sucking pain. Gifted me with a husband who loved through it all. Sustained me when I wanted nothing more than to inhale the last of earth and the first of heaven.
Have you been there? Are you there now? Or, does a loved one bear the burden of mental illness?
[bbctt tweet="I know the pain and I'm sorry you're hurting.#depression#ptsd#hope"]
I know the pain and I’m sorry you’re hurting, friend. I’m sorry you don’t share openly because you fear being judged. I’m sorry you weep, cry, and grieve for the person you thought you’d become. I’m sorry that just getting out of bed or making it through one more day makes you feel as though you’re an overloaded cargo ship sinking beneath the weight of its cargo.
Whether you are the one desperate for relief, a mama longing to take her child’s struggle, or a wife desperate for the husband she once knew, you are not alone.
One in five adults understand.
One in five women with successful careers. One in five stay-at-home moms with dinners made by scratch and dessert in the oven. One in five grandmothers living the golden years. One in five women in every church pew on any given Sunday understand.
[bbctt tweet="One in five women in every church pew on any given Sunday understand. #mentalillness#1in5#hope"]
Not only are you surrounded by others who empathize, but there is something even better. It’s the four-letter word we forget in the midst of the hard.
Hope.
We have hope because of Christ, in Christ and through Christ.
We have hope because the end of our story was rewritten on the cross. Sin exchanged for restoration, tears for celebration, and death for liberation. Neither depression, anxiety, or any other illness can wrest these from your grasp because you are held tightly in His.
When you’re tempted to believe there is nothing better than what is right now, remind yourself of what you know to be true. There will be more to your story.
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 MSG)
Peace and grace, Tammy
Mental Health Pain Hack Printable
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Thank you for this. I’ve found my struggles with mental illness have improved considerably since I found Jesus. Just immersing myself in Godly things makes me feel better and more hopeful.
Hi Callista. He is the greatest hope and it’s wonderful to know our struggles are temporary. Praying you’ll be blessed with peace and joy today, Tammy
It is so easy to get caught up in the weight of the world. Thank to God for His unchanging hand. Always there to protect and to love, never to judge. This is beautiful.
Hi Brittany. He is our Strong Tower! Peace and grace, Tammy
Sigh. I feel short on hope these days. Thank you for these words. laurensparks.net
Oh, Father, would you speak words of comfort and hope to your sweet daughter’s heart. Give Lauren a sense of your heart for her and put people in her life to encourage and pray for her. Amen
I’ll keep praying!
Sending a hug your way,
Tammy