Reflections of His Love

Although I don’t know the direction my life will take, I know that God has it planned out for my good.  It is something we all think we want to know but do we really.  If we knew how our lives were going to turn out, we may run for the hills or worse.  Each day, we find new mercies given in the small and sometimes large things of life.  For example, going to a new doctor for mental illness was weighing heavily on my mind.  I prayed that if I needed to go, God would make it clear to me which he did in several ways.  As I prepared to go, I knew I didn’t want to go alone.  I prayed that morning that if my husband was supposed to go with me, it would happen.  I asked and he was more than willing to go.  In the end, the doctor was nice and the new medicine is so much cheaper since my insurance does not cover mental illness medication, for now.  And the medicine seems to be working well, Praise God!

When we think he is not there walking with us every step, remember He is.  He prepares the way for those that love Him and are his just like a parent does for a child.  Asking specifically for your needs is what He wants to hear.  You do not have because you do not ask.  James 4:2b and 3 says, “Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.  And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

Some things to keep in mind during this holiday season when it is easy to get stressed and for those that have holiday sadness. 

-Slow down.  Warp speed is not essential in most cases.  Stop and smell the roses or whatever is nearby.  A kind word or gesture will lift your spirits and help others see Christ’s love in you. 

-Have a friend that will pray for you and be there for you.  “A friend loveth at all times.” Proverbs 17:17

-Take time to recount Christ birth and the story in Matthew Chapters 1 and 2.  Share this with others you meet this Christmas season.

-Know that each new day brings hope and joy.  Be thankful for those small answered prayers and the things you did not ask for but enjoy each day, a ray of sunshine, beautiful animals that show us love, the kindness of a stranger.  I have learned humility through this season of my life.  It is one of the gifts Christ gave to us through His example on this earth.

During this holiday season, I wish you joy unspeakable and peace that will last through the new year.  It has been a difficult but growth year for me.  I pray that I continue to be used by God to serve Him in a way that brings Him glory and honor.  I am thankful for such an understanding husband that has stood by my side during my struggles.  He is more than I could have asked for and am so grateful for the gift of him in my life.  And so many good friends that care and have stood with me. 

God’s blessings to you all for a happy and prosperous, peaceful New Year!

Deb

Scripture for today:

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19 (NIV)

 

Song to Listen to:

“Come to Me” Aaron Shust

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVa7nheT56Y

 

How to find Strength

Nehemiah 8:10,

Do not be grieved, for the joy  of the LORD  is your strength.

As I was having a really bad day, I wondered how this could be true.  How could I continue in joy after losing my phone, missing an appointment, not having contact information, and having a new mower break down.  In all this, God showed me that even in the bad days, He is evermore present and will reward our faithfulness when we lean on Him.  I was able to get a borrowed phone the next day from a tenant we have been helping out with a sick baby and I was able to get an upgraded phone on a promotion for only $5.00 a month.  It is through our trials God shows us who He is and what He wants for us.  When we don’t trust in Him, it doesn’t allow Him to fully show what He can do for us.    As we read God’s Word and see our sinful nature, we are to repent because we are so pitifully gross but in this we shouldn’t grieve too long.     Instead, we should choose to receive His joy through forgiveness because this is what God wants for us.  He does not want us to be separated from Him.  He wants us to experience His joy and peace as they are real and powerful and can make our life whole and complete.

It is  most necessary  to thankfully accept  the gift  of forgiveness. When we have accepted this gift, then we can take it all in  and rejoice  in this forgiveness.     That is the only way to remain strong in the LORD  ---  trust  in His love  and obey  with joy. The LORD  is  my strength!" , “ In Him will I place my trust! “

Practical tips: Take a minute each day and write down what you are grateful for today.  It doesn’t have to be big or spiritual; just personal.  When feeling stressed or depressed, some people develop habits to help them relax. The most common habits include cigarette smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating and inactivity, which can harm your health. Eating or drinking too much, or smoking, do not help your stress level and can damage your health. Stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, depression and suicide. Some ways to manage stress and depression include:

• Exercise is one of the healthiest ways to deal with stress. The act of moving your body is a great way to improve your mood and relieve stress.  It does not have to be formal exercise, cleaning the house, getting up and moving around, lifting your arms up and around help the blood flow in your body.
• Talking or writing about your feelings is another good way to relieve stress. You can talk to Christian friends, family or a trained counselor. You can also write your feelings in a journal.  Look for how God can use this to draw closer to Him.
• Get away from you. While a nice long vacation is often a good stress reliever, it is not always possible and we need to learn how to live and be content in the moment.  Having something you enjoy doing is important.  Try and spend a few minutes each day doing something that you like that takes your mind off of the stress or depression.
• Relax. Activities such as yoga, meditation, listening to praise music and breathing exercises can help calm your mind and relax your body. Repeating phrases from scripture to remind yourself of what God says, “I am loved”, “I am complete”, “I am healed” allows your mind to reset to receive the gifts of joy and peace God wants for us.

Blessings to you in this beautiful season of love shown by God in giving us the most precious gift of His son Jesus so that we may live and reign with Him forevermore.

Deb

 

Scripture to Memorize:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”   Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

 

Song to Listen to:

"Come to Me" Aaron Shust

 

Gifts for this Season of Giving:

Jesus Calling - Sarah Young

The Power of Being Thankful - Joyce Meyer

Give Thanksgiving in all Circumstances

One of my greatest fears is the fear the depression will return. My greatest hope is that when it does, Jesus will walk me thru it like the many times before. God promises that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God, not anything you are going through right now, no thoughts, actions, anything that you face.  It is the same with anxiety.  We can begin to fear the anxiety rather than the cause of it.  Knowing this can help you to overcome it.  Relaxing your body, beginning at the top of your head and going through each body part can help you to relax your body focusing on positive thoughts, "I am loved", "I am blessed",  "I feel hope".  Pick one of these and repeat it to yourself.  Practice taking in deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly, slowing your breathing.

We do not have to be anxious.  God’s word says we are loved by Him, cared for by the one true God.  His love goes down into our inner being.  He knows us intricately, down into the marrow of our bones.  He formed us and promises never to leave us alone to deal with the cares of this world and afflictions we face.  This is a daily relationship, not a one time fix.  At times, we want it to be over or better immediately.  During these times, ask God what I can learn during these trials.  Afterwards, you can look back and say thank you for the grace you showed me and transforming me to be more like you. Savor your in depth conversations with the Lord. They will carry you and draw you closer to Him to be more like Him. When thoughts of self- doubt or judgment of others comes, replace those thoughts with those times that they did give you affirmation and approval.   Irrational thinking will happen.  Recognize it for what it is.  Use these coping skills to combat it and always with thanksgiving.  Write down each day what you are grateful for.  I do this as I lay in bed before I get up to praise God for His blessings for me today.

 God Bless You on Your Journey in Life.

Have a Blessed and Gracious Thanksgiving,

Deb

Scripture of Hope

^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

 

When you are down, music lifts the soul.  Sing even when you don't feel like it.  Praise to God gives Him glory and honors Him in your life.

“You Never Let Go”  Passion  Matt Redman

Link to song:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+never+let+go+passion&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=E0F1D9C7AF20455D4F03E0F1D9C7AF20455D4F03

Struggles for Today

When Job was tried by satan his friends tried to “fix” him.  In all this he was found faithful.  The thing we can do for a friend suffering is walk beside them, pray for them, and watch how God works in their lives through their struggles.  Our faith is refined by the fires and the storms of pain we go through.  We gain hope, not from the darkness or our suffering or pat answers, but from our God who sees our suffering and shares our pain.  Jesus was tempted by satan in the wilderness:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.’"Hebrews 4:15

Push forward, even when you don’t feel you can or want to.  Just as an athlete has to push forward to gain strength.   There may be times you may have thoughts of suicide.  For me, this was part of the process on my journey to healing and recovery.  Stay close to God during this time.  Use scripture to fight the negative thoughts.  Satan uses our weakness to bring temptation.   As believers we have the Holy Spirit within us to comfort us when we call upon Him.  He will carry you through when you call on Him.  Paul told us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

 He is able to do this because He has been there and understands the common temptations that mankind faces, the pain and suffering endured. Because of this we can have boldness and confidence to enter into the throne room of God to find grace and mercy when we need it. 

Do not be afraid to take medications to help alleviate the depression.  It is not a sign of weakness but medicine works to change the brain chemistry to lift the fog you are in.  Depression has nothing to do with your faith or lack thereof.  It can affect strong Christians, weak Christians, non-Christians alike.  Understanding this helps in battling it for what it is.  We all go through struggles, separation, loss, major disappointments, life changes.  These can trigger depression to come on.  In all this, know God still stands.  He is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow, the Rock we can depend on in our life.  His Word is true and His promises remain the same. 

In His Love

Deb

Song to Listen to:

“Everything I Need” Kutless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXTFwGjzjag

 

 

Release Thoughts and Keep Them Moving Along

When you think about getting rid of your negativity, you might start by trying to push those thoughts out of your mind. But stop and consider a different approach, something that would go along with meditation and yoga. Fighting against something usually takes a lot more energy than avoiding a fight in the first place.

Imagine a sheriff in an old Western town who sees a known outlaw calmly stroll the main street. The sheriff remains polite but firmly encourages the outlaw to keep on walking, right out of town. He projects confidence and stays calm. That’s you, acknowledging those negative thoughts while calmly telling them to keep moving along out of your mind.

Instead of pushing and prying your negative thoughts out, you are acknowledging and releasing them. And when they come back (which they will, out of habit), acknowledge that they are still coming and release them again. Look them square in the eye like that sheriff and tell them what they need to do – keep moving along. You don’t try to wrestle them out of your mind, you simply let them go on their way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling Hopeful!

Today for the first time in a long time, I woke up feeling hopeful.  The normal dread, lack of desire, forced movement was not there!  I truly praise God for this blessing today.  He is our Ultimate Healer that heals our mind, body, and soul.  He carries us through the dark days when it seems there is no hope and no future.  I know those that have suffered depression know what I am talking about.  And if you are there today, He is your Father that loves you more than you can ever imagine!!  He is our Abba Father, a Daddy that doesn't leave, that protects His child fiercely. 

I know that this does not mean I will be happy all the time.   We need a range of emotions to experience the fullness of life.  Without it, life would be dull and robotic.  Medicines can make you feel that way which is why some choose not to take it.  Personally, I would rather have a somewhat repressed feeling than have no desire or hope for tomorrow.  So thankful for those that have and continue to stand with me during the trials.  Loving each other is the best gift we can give.  There is no greater love than that of a brother or sister.  God’s Word is medicine for our spirit, soul and body, and the way we experience its power is by speaking it out loud, praying it to God, meditating on it, and believing it. When you speak His Word over your life, it releases that power into your life. Claim the healing that God wants for you.  He does not want you to suffer.  Say to yourself, I release pain.  He died that we may have life and have it more abundantly.  Remember,  there will be sad times and troubles in this world will come but now they will go away.  And now you know how to conquer them too!   Thank the Lord for your healing and The Comforter!

 Scripture to Memorize for Healing Your Mind/Emotions:

1 Peter 5:7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (The Amplified Bible)

 Resources:

Christian Meditation with Scripture

http://www.thechristianmeditator.com/

 

Hope for Today

If, like so many of us, you have been suffering in secret and in silence, in the fear that medication will deaden your feelings or is a sign of weakness, I hope this will encourage you to seek treatments now available to you. We live in an extraordinary era-the first era in which the illness that took the lives of Virginia Woolf, Vincent Van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, Mark Rothko, Ann Sexton-and Robin Williams—among so many others–can actually be treated. There are so many medications will little side effects that are effective and lift the dread and hopelessness.  My hope and prayer is that you will reach out, ask for help, tell your story and help others to know there is Hope...and that hope is in Jesus Christ.  He will carry you through the storm, He will not let you suffer alone.  He will bring people into your life to support you. Ask Him to do this.  He has done this for me in miraculous ways. 

Back in 2008, I met a lady through a devotional website that was suffering terribly from depression.  Her and I formed a close relationship and were able to pray for each other and understand what to pray for.  In the throws of her depression, she wanted to take her life.  Through God’s protection, he used me and my husband to not allow this to happen.  I thank God for her today and what she means to me. She has been there for me now.

What is so important to fight the negative thoughts is to stay in the Word.  This is the spiritual nourishment that we need, reading God’s promises that are ours as believers.  Say them out loud if needed, memorize them and when the bad thoughts come in, fight them with the promises God has given us.  Learning this habit will do more to keep your mind and body sound and your life on an even keel than anything I know. Your spirit needs nourishment just like your body does. Don't wait until you have a crisis in your life.  Praise songs work great as well.  God has allowed me to wake up with them in my head already.  Listen to them and sing them even when you don’t feel like it.  It will draw you closer to Him and raise your spirit.

Praise You Lord for Your Love and carrying me! 

The “I Am” is with you,

Deb

Scripture for Today:


“The Lord your God is with you.    He is mighty enough to save you. He will take great delight in you.  The quietness of his love will calm you down.  He will sing with joy because of you.” Zephaniah 3:17

Song to Meditate On:

“Everything I Need”  Kutless  (Jesus Carry Me)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXaSHxbqqS8

YOU are Beautifully and Wonderfully Made!

It is okay to be yourself and it is okay to fail.  Don’t try to be like others.  You were created in God’s image as a unique individual.  Relish your uniqueness.  God does!!  You don’t have to be perfect.  Such a lie from satan himself who comes to steal and destroy.  “The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” John 10:10   Know that when you live for God, the enemy does not like this and will attack.  We have the Holy Spirit within us as believers that is our Comforter and Protector from the enemy.  Call out to Him in prayer and He will bring you peace and comfort in your greatest hour of need.  God knows who you are.  Ask Him the whys, give Him your questions, your secrets.  He will not reject you.  He is your Father that gave His only Son for you that you may have life and have it more abundantly.

Give yourself time to adjust to the meds.  The side effects eventually go away for the most part.  I continue to experience hot flashes at night.  Slow but steady progress daily I pray.  If they are overwhelming, tell your doctor and they can prescribe something different or adjust the dosage.  Take things slow which can be hard for those that want immediate satisfaction.  That is when we have to rely on God’s strength.  He can only show us His strength and how He is the one that is our Savior and carries us when we are weak.  Rest in this.  Get physical rest when you can.  You are treating an illness that affects the body.  It takes time for meds to work and heal.  Remind yourself of the healing taking place in your body.  Bask in the moments of clarity and know they will return again. 

Love in Him,

Deb

 

Scripture for Today:

“Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 AMEN!!

 

A Song for You

Mercy Me “Beautiful”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C2o0jHNRuU

My Grace is Sufficient for you...

             As a Christian, satan likes to attack when you are at your weakest so this can be a time of spiritual warfare.  Stay close to God.  He cannot harm you without God’s permission  Ask other Christians to pray over you.  Until you are fully recovered, stay away from those things that can set you back.  This can be watching movies or tv shows that are fiction but your mind can play tricks on you to believe they are real.  Stay in the reality of today.  Listen to peaceful music, take a walk in nature, enjoy simple things, watch uplifting movies or tv.  Enjoy God’s beauty and landscape of this world.  Move forward knowing God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness.  Each day, work on your relationship with Him.  God loves you just as you are.  Be comfortable in your own skin. You are incredibly and wonderfully made by the creator of the Universe.

           Do something nice for yourself.  It affirms your worth and promotes healing.  Take time today to bask in His sunlight.  Display notes of love and affection to remind you of the love that surrounds you.  God loves us always, whether we are good or bad; His love does not change for us.  We do not have to earn His love.  I am realizing this more and more as I spend daily time with Him.  God bless you on your journey to healing.

 Deb

 

Scripture Reading for Today:

II Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

Reference- What does God really mean by “My grace is sufficient for you”.

 

http://www.livingstonesbiblechurch.com/TruthSheets/PAULsTHORN.pdf

When Happiness Seems Far Away...

Sometimes when we are down, we just don’t feel God near.  We don’t want to praise Him or worship Him, we just can’t.  At these times, He is still God.  He never changes.  His love never changes.  He understands our pain.  Jesus suffered all of these pains, loneliness, fear, isolation, torture.  We have a King that has been through our sufferings.  He loves us and WILL comfort us during these times.  Reach out to Him even when you don’t feel like it.  As the song says, “I choose to say Blessed by Your Name”.

Remember we will have ups and downs in this world.  Stressors can make the depression worse.  If you are not feeling normal, can’t laugh, tired, cry for no reason, you may need to increase medicines or get up and get busy doing something.  Exercise can release endorphins that stimulate the brain.  Blessings to you on this journey we call life.

Deb

^“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

 

Song of the day

“Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” by Matt Redman

Treatments for Depression

There are a number of ways to treat depression.  I have found that these things help me when I get depressed; anti-depressants, healthy diet, exercise, prayer, gratitude, and counseling or talking to friends.   I caution a totally natural approach for treating clinical depression.  If it works for you that is great but don’t be afraid to try medication.  Whatever makes you feel normal is what you need.  If you take an anti-depressant and feel a little woozy or 'out of body', 'disconnected', then you are either on the wrong drug or the wrong dosage.   I took Wellbutrin several years ago and later when I had another bout with depression, I tried it and the side effects were terrible.  That is when I switched to Cymbalta which worked great.  Folic acid has been said to help anti-depressants work more effectively.  I have started taking this to see if it makes a difference.  It does seem to help.

Medication works for me with very little side affect.  My head does feel clearer when I am off of it but when needed, it works great. Weigh the pros and cons of taking medication.  If the benefit is greater than the side effects, you should consider staying on it.  It is a personal choice.  Remember, you are treating an illness which should be treated as you would any other illness.  You will know when the medicine starts to work.  For me, it is like a switch that goes on and I feel back to normal, dread is lifted, decisions are easy, and I am able to laugh again, even at myself!  There are several medical conditions associated with depression as well such as low thyroid and hormonal changes in the body.  Your doctor can run tests to check for these conditions.

Exercise is an important part of helping the medications work to their full potential.  A brisk walk or bike ride is a great way to do something for the depression and yourself.  Remember to be grateful and reach out to others.  Having a Christian counselor to talk to has helped me immensely.  I encourage you to do the same.  Getting to the root of the problem that may be causing the depression and letting God renew your mind to His ways will renew your spirit and will allow you to experience His love for you. 

In life, we can get beaten up by those believing that they love us but show it in such a way that damages our spirit and our soul.  When we grow up without a loving parent to show us the affection that we expect from a parent, we believe there is something we must have done to cause this.  This can be traumatic to a child unable to understand the why, especially to little girls without a father’s love.  It usually spills over into the men they choose in their life as well.  God can renew our minds to help us heal from this.  Realizing that He is a father that can give us so much more than our earthly father could ever think of can help ease the pain.  I pray you can see Him as your Heavenly Father that loves you more than you can imagine.

Blessings to you on your journey,

Deb

My Journey

During the darkest days of my depression, I journaled many things that were happening to me in order to remember what it was like and to be able to help other women going through the same things.  There are so many things that went through my mind during those early days that it felt as if I was journaling constantly.  I knew if I did not, I would not remember them as our brains were created to block the horrible things in life.  

I am sharing some of these with you, mostly in the order as they happened to me, in hopes they will help you and give you comfort in your dark days.  My prayer is that you to realize you are not alone and others suffer as you do.  Remember God is stronger than anything you will ever go through. Lean on Him during these times.  He will go with you to the depths of the darkest valleys, He will never leave you.  That promise will give you comfort in your darkest days.

Today's Thought

Try to stay in the moment and not worry about the future.  Tackle one thing at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed.  Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon so pace yourself.  Prioritize your tasks and take them one by one.  Give yourself a break.  Remember how much God loves you and cares for you.

Scripture for Today

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."  Psalm 23:4 (New Living Translation)

Thought For The Day

In my journey, I try to maintain balance so that there are no real highs or lows.  The ups and downs will come until the medication dosage is correct and takes affect.  Try and deal with the sumptoms of the medication.  In my case, they have subsided for the most part.  Try to be patient to allow the medicine to work.  It may take several weeks for them to completely get into your system and for you to feel like yourself.  In my experience, once this happens you don’t immediately realize it until one day you realize the lows are completely gone and you will be praising God all day long!!  Until then, stay strong and reach out to others for support and prayer.  "A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Songs

Amy Grant “Don’t Try So Hard”

Mercy Me “Your Beautiful”

Plumb “Need You Now” 

“FEARLESS”

                As I set out on this journey of thinking how to help other women overcome their fears associated with depression, I began to accumulate ways that I have battled depression over the years. Below are some of the ways I have combated the feelings of depression.  Satan’s attacks come when we are at our weakest.  These tips have helped me to realize we live victorious over this disease.  I hope this will help you to realize that you are a child of the Great King as a believer and no one can harm you without His permission.  If you are not a born again Christian, invite Christ into your heart today.  That has been a safe haven for me, knowing that He has his hand of protection over me.

Actions You Can Take to Combat Depression

-Care (antidepressants, herbs, natural supplements; counseling)

-Show compassion for others (Reach out to others and lend a hand)

-Create gratitude journal (Record things you are grateful for each day)

-Exercise each day, even a walk helps

-Have a pet

Know others care about you and treat it as the disease it is. There is no need to feel shame. Talk about it, do not hide it.   You may be surprised at the people who are suffering just as you do.  

Stay close to God through prayer, daily Bible reading, and fellowhip with other believers.  Ask others to pray over you. "Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16 (Amplified Bible)

2 Timothy 1:7 “ For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”