anxiety

Don’t Fight It

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You know life is more than stress and anxiety. So many people worry over the littlest things. While one person may see struggle as inevitable, another may see it as avoidable. It’s all about individual  perspective.

When I first entered recovery for mental health, they taught us The Serenity Prayer. It took awhile, but I memorized that thing and held on to it for dear life. It really got me through the toughest years of my life and I still depend on it daily.

But, what happens when we fight against the things we cannot change? We literally send ourselves to an early grave. We indulge in things we know we shouldn’t. We react to situations from a place of emotion instead of rationale. We project our negative feelings unto others. We become stagnate, unable to move forward in life.

It took me awhile to accept my mental health for what it is. I had to realize that a bad day does not equal a bad life. I’ve been stable for the last six months, and though it feels strange not to experience mania or depression I have decided not to fight against my stability. To take each day as it comes. It will last however long it lasts. I am not nervously waiting for the other shoe to drop or the inevitable crash that depression can bring.

It’s strange. But, it’s the new me. Past mental health experiences do not define who I am today. I will not fight against whatever God is doing in my life. I thank him for my stability and I encourage my readers to do the same. Don’t fight against the things you cannot change.

Thank you for listening!!

R.I.P. Jarrid Wilson

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https://time.com/5674636/megachurch-pastor-jarrid-wilson-dies-suicide/

Megachurch Pastor and Mental Health Advocate Jarrid Wilson Dies by Suicide (2019)

A California megachurch pastor who frequently spoke out on the issues of mental health and his own struggles with depression died on Monday by suicide at the age of 30.

Jarrid Wilson joined the Harvest Christian Fellowship church in Riverside, Calif. 18 months ago as an associate pastor, according to a statement from the church. The church has a congregation of 15,000.

“He was vibrant, positive, and was always serving and helping others,” the statement said. “He wanted to especially help those who were dealing with suicidal thoughts.”

“Sometimes people may think that as pastors or spiritual leaders we are somehow above the pain and struggles of everyday people,” the church’s senior pastor Greg Laurie wrote in a blog post mourning Wilson’s death on Tuesday. “We are the ones who are supposed to have all the answers. But we do not.”

Jarrid is survived by his wife Julianne and two sons, Denham and Finch.

Julianne shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing that her husband was a “loving, giving, kind-hearted, encouraging, handsome, hilarious, give the shirt [off] his back husband.”

“No more pain, my Jerry, no more struggle. You are made complete and you are finally free. Suicide and depression fed you the worst lies, but you knew the truth of Jesus and I know you’re by his side right this very second,” her post read.

Wilson and his wife were the founders of an outreach program called “Anthem of Hope,” which set out to help people dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts.

In a 2017 podcast interview with ChurchLeaders.com, Wilson cited the Bible’s Book of Job, arguing that “Some of God’s brightest saints dealt with the darkest of depression. What we have to understand is that just because you’re dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts does not mean you’re any less of a believer or a Christian than anybody else.” And in a column written a year later for the site, he wrestled further with scriptural precedent and the stigma many place upon suicide and suicidal thoughts or ideation. Such judgments, Harris wrote, “ill-thought and without proper biblical understanding… [they] obviously don’t understand the totality of mental health issues in today’s world, let alone understand the basic theology behind compassion and God’s all-consuming grace.” He continued:

Does God approve of suicide? Nope!
Does God view suicide as a bad thing? Yup!
Is God’s grace sufficient even for those who have committed suicide? Yup!

The day before his death, Wilson tweeted that faith couldn’t always be seen as a “cure” but added that it “doesn’t mean Jesus doesn’t offer us companionship and comfort. He ALWAYS does that.”

If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.

Tackling the Taboo

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Do you or a loved one suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns as a Christian? You are not alone.

Over 50 million Americans – including Christians – struggle with mental illness. Many struggle in silence, but it does not have to be that way. While some espouse the belief that Christians should not have anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, that simply is not reality. Having mental health concerns is not the result of a lackluster relationship with God. Nor is it a gauge of one’s spirituality. Being sick mentally is more akin to having a physical ailment that we need to learn to understand and treat, if possible.

-Consider myths surrounding mental health concerns and their truthfulness;

-Study biblical characters who likely dealt with mental health issues;

-Learn from the author’s own experiences with mental illness;

-Use different resources to cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns;

-Develop a suicide safety plan and make a commitment to live; and,

-Have open dialogue with your family and friends about depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

This book delivers vivid connections between the author’s life experiences — providing details about her struggles — and the Scriptures that give us hope as we navigate mental health issues. After reading this book, you will be better equipped to handle mental health concerns for yourself and those you love and better understand how Christians can cope with mental illness.

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Being affected by mental health issues, Terica uses her own experiences to help others afflicted with mental health concerns. She is a firm believer that the topic of mental health does not need to be avoided, and she advocates to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

Bipolar Gratitude

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Hello readers. I pray you all are well and blessed! I’ve been taking it one day at a time. But, I’ve been experiencing a lot of unnecessary anxiety over minor things. My online church gave me the idea to create a daily focus word to keep us more grounded and I’ve been hearing the word: gratitude.

So what is gratitude? Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. I think sometimes we are so focused on how big our problem is and we often feel like we are alone in the fight. Especially, mentally.

Gratitude can take us a long way. If we didn’t have the bad times how would we know how to appreciate the good? We should be grateful to God that we get to experience life on his terms no matter how painful. Gratitude helps us grow. It helps us to stay grounded and be thankful for everything we have. If we make a gratitude list, I wonder how long it would be? I bet we would discover things about our life we never knew we took for granted. We would discover that God is always in the midst of our situation and in the little things.

There is always something to be thankful for. Anyway, just sharing some late night thoughts! Have a blessed weekend.

May = Mental Health Month

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New month. New beginnings. May is our month dedicated to breaking the stigma and raising awareness about mental illness. People all over the world create new ways to reach others and have impact.

This coming Saturday, I will be going to my 1st NAMI meeting. I’ve been putting it off for some years now. But, I realize I need community outside of my immediate family. There is also DBSA, which stands for Depression Bipolar Support Alliance.

So, this month, make sure you reach out if/when you are struggling. These organizations provide online and in person support groups as well as tons of education on the subject. Remember you are not alone!

Not Alone

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Hello followers! I apologize for my silence over the last couple months. But, I’ve been processing the changes in my seasons of life. I don’t always do well with change.

My husband had shoulder surgery at the end of January and I’ve been just trying to be the best wife and mother I could be for my family. Please keep him in your prayers 🙏

Anyway, the reason for this post is to remind you that no matter what, we are not alone. You may be going through something right now that feels so isolating, and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, I assure you it’s there. Hope is what gets us through. Hope in Jesus that while you are yet suffering, he also suffered for the sins of the whole world. But, because of him, our suffering is not in vain, and thank God it will not last forever! 🙌

Just like God told Joshua in the Bible, he was not alone and that he would always be with him (Joshua 1:9). We can be sure he is telling us the same thing. So let’s hold our heads high and put our hope in Jesus ✝️

Have a wonderful week 😊

In Unsure Times

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Romans 8:1 –

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Many Bipolar Christians doubt their faith when they go through stages of depression. In fact, in our community, this is a major struggle.

I think it’s important to memorize scripture that will ensure our faith and let us know we are secure in Christ. Part of my diagnosis with having psychotic features is that I have a fear of eternal damnation or religious persecution. I have to remind myself daily of Romans 8:1 (listed above) that I am not being punished and my soul is not in danger.

Meditating on scripture in the hard times is how we push through the unsure times. Intuitively, we know there is light at the end of the tunnel even when we can’t see it.

Followers, you are loved and you are not alone. Ever! Our future is secure. Philippians 4: 6 – 7 tells us not to be anxious for anything. So ease your mind of the anxiety that you are not saved. Pray for peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding.

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I hope your Christmas was everything you hoped it would be and I’ll hopefully see your comments and get to know some of you in the new year🎉🎉

Things We Do Deserve

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You know it’s really sad the things we project unto ourselves when we feel misunderstood or unloved. It literally causes us to withdraw and isolate and blame ourselves for the way we feel. Even when those triggers come from people who do not have an influence in our lives. I’m sharing this here because for far too long I’ve let the opinions of others make me feel a certain way or second guess myself. I’m learning I don’t need to defend myself to people that don’t really matter. Sometimes you have to let people be people and move on. Don’t let anyone get you outta character. We are responsible for the way we respond.

So I went to see my therapist on Friday and I shared with him what I was talking about in my previous post. As usual, immediately I wanted to erase what I’d written thinking I’m just overreacting. But, for some reason I decided to share my thoughts with him.

My therapist gave me alot of encouragement and he said no one deserves to get bullied. Especially from Christians who are supposed to know better and all about spreading the love of Jesus. No one deserves to feel invalidated. Every human has feelings and you shouldn’t feel less than by people who are supposed to love you.

He said people who don’t deal with mental illness do not realize how their words can affect someone who does. It can be very triggering and literally cause suicidal thoughts from people who refuse to see where you are coming from or insensitive to your situation.

You don’t deserve to be mistreated because of your mental health. You don’t deserve to be talked down to and judged because you choose medication and the Bible. Because you choose therapy and the Bible. Because you choose your mental health over their opinion and judgment.

So, I thank God for mental health medicine and doctors. I thank God for the Bible that gives me hope to keep pushing every single day. I pray this blog will be a place for people like us to feel loved and accepted just the way we are!!

So remember it’s okay to stick up for yourself and only accept the things you do deserve…now that’s real self-love!!