So I have to be honest, sometimes I struggle feeling God's love in my life. I go through periods in my life where I am praying over, and over, and over again for something to happen, something to change, wanting so badly for my heart to stop aching and for miracles to come. And when these prayers aren't being answered for months and on a few occasions several years at a time, my heart starts to grow bitter and I feel as if I have been left out in the rain and there is no more room in the inn for me. I wonder why God loves everyone but me. I don't know if you've ever had these moments before, but I will testify they aren't coming from Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ, and they simply aren't true. Satan has a way of twisting truth, of blinding us from truth, or stopping us from even getting far enough to obtain truth. Please don't believe His lies. The truth is, even when I feel forgotten by Heavenly Father because He isn't answering the big prayers, there is purpose behind it. God knows me perfectly, He knows you perfectly. Those little things that you stress out about, the fears that creep in and blind you from God's love...they have so much power to rob you of peace, joy, and happiness. You have the power to chose to believe in His love.
This video makes me cry, every single time I watch it without hesitation. It's simple. But to me, it's powerful! God knows us perfectly, He loves us perfectly, and more individually than our human minds have power to comprehend. Look for God's hand in your life, in the simple things. Nothing is by coincidence, if you are experiencing a simple blessing or miracle in your life, know it is God's gift to you. Sometimes God can't answer the big prayers on our timing, but He does answer the little ones along the way!
Oh goodness, am I ever a girl that compares. I found this cute video 'The Ugly Trap of Comparison' that one of my friends was a part of and had shared on Facebook. I instantly loved it because comparison has a tendency to get the best of all of us, despite the fact we know how unhealthy and how depressing it can be.
Comparison is ugly. Comparison is unappealing. Comparison is a sin. In 2 Corinthians 10:12 we read: "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." When I look inside my life I find that every bit of my comparing comes from a sense of pride. I am trying to be something "more" than someone else whether I consciously recognize this or not. Either I will try to build myself up by comparing that I'm better off than others, but more often I compare that I am worse off and not good enough. If you were to step into my mind, these are some of the thoughts you would hear that I am not proud to admit... "At least I don't have that weakness." "I'm stronger than her." "I probably would have handled that better." "My pain is so much worse." "Her features are so much prettier than mine." These are just a few of my thoughts that I have caught myself saying. I often have to put these thoughts on a shelf, evaluate if they are true or not, and then take them back if they are or throw them in the trash if they aren't. No good ever comes out of comparing. This is one of the adversary's favorite tools he uses to get us off track. My dream is to be a people builder, one that always helps others to feel good about themselves, as if they were a queen in my presence. I know that is how Christ would treat each of us, and I want to be found doing the same. If I am constantly worried about whether or not I am good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, it becomes rather hard and nearly impossible to focus on other people and to build them up the way my heart yearns to do so. As I worry about what others are thinking of me, my mind becomes distracted, my guard goes up, and my actions display I am in a defense mode and I'm too worried about myself, to think of you. That is why self-esteem is so important, the self-esteem that comes from God because knowing we are enough in His eyes, we don't even have to spend time thinking about accepting who we are, because Christ has done it for us, and that is beautiful. Place your trust in Christ, He said you were worth dying for, believe Him. You don't have to spend time worrying about if you are enough or finding every single way to accept and love who you are, when you love and trust Christ, it just happens. It's a spiritual gift you will find yourself humbly stumbling upon.
Anyone who suffers from depression or really any mental illness or mood disorder knows that your state of mind or mood can change in just one minute. Sometimes you wake up so happy, and then one little thing can change everything. Sometimes you can put a mark on what it was that changed your mood, other times you have absolutely no idea at all. For me, I refer to the unknown and the haze as brain fog, and I experience it much more often than I would like. Your mind, body, and spirit are so inextricably connected. If one part of this triad is missing or off balance, it will affect the other two parts. This is the intricate reason why eating healthy, praying, and positive affirmations are vital, they all play a piece in the formula of healthy living and balance. For me, I have found it harder to connect to Heavenly Father and understand His will for my life when something is off in my health, or when I am experiencing a mind block, which in both of these cases I may or may not be aware this is happening. I know, it sounds weird to not know if something is blocking your mind or your spirit, but it's so real. I went to a forum for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) at BYU recently and a girl got up and talked about things you shouldn't say to a person who suffers with depression. I loved them, so I wanted to share them with you.
1. Everyone feels sad sometimes Sadness is a VERY different feeling from depression. When you are depressed, you don't care about anything at all. You're not just sad, you feel like nothing will every get better and you are completely drowning in the deepest of sorrow. 2. It's all in your head Yes, it is, it's in your mind! It's a chemical imbalance that you don't have power over like you wish you had. There are many ways to approach and treat it, but believing it's all in your head is not one of them. 3. Stop feeling sorry for yourself If they feel sorry for themselves, they should because they obviously have something they are battling that you can't even see. It's not just a matter of feeling sorry for yourself, it's something that can't even be controlled without help. 4. These drugs will make you a zombie If they are choosing to take medication, they need it. It's not the overall fix, but some people can't get out of their drowning despairs any other way. 5. You should be more grateful Being grateful doesn't take it away, those suffering from depression are fully aware of what they should be grateful for. They realize what once made them happy and how that happiness is now missing. Counting blessings can't cure a mental illness. It is helpful when the person thinks of it on their own, but being told this is not comforting. 6. Have more faith Having any mental illness or relapse is not a reflection of their testimony in any way. 7. You know, happiness is a choice Positivity is a choice, chemistry is not. 8. I can't be around all this negativity. They need you around more than ever before, don't abandon them. Ask them to do thing with you constantly, they will often say no but just keep asking because one time they will say yes and it will help them more than they can comprehend.
Things to say to someone who is depressed: - I will always be here for you! - Do you want to talk about it? - I am so sorry. That is so hard. - You do so much for me. - Just let them know their life matters and don't turn them into a pity project, but really find their gifts and talents and point them out.
