Category: Mental Health

Out of the Pit

The last several months have been overwhelming.

I’ve been struggling a lot with depression, and I got to the point where I knew the medicines and therapy were not doing enough to help, and that I needed to try something different.

So I decided to embark on a new journey: ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy). It’s been scary, and encouraging, and frustrating, and confusing, and promising…all at the same time.

I’ve been undergoing the ECT procedure twice a week for around twelve weeks now. Unfortunately, it has affected my memory. But it does seem to have given me that extra “boost” I needed to climb out of the dark pit of depression; and for this I am grateful.

If you are struggling with depression, you are not alone. Take comfort in the fact that there are others who are walking this road with you – most importantly, Jesus Christ. He understands what we are going through, and He is right there with us to give us the strength and encouragement to take the next small step along the path that He has for us.

Photo by: James McGill

At Day’s End

I captured the above photo after stopping in a parking lot on my way home from my final Career class today. I had been scared to attend, as we were scheduled to have mock interviews…and that’s not exactly my forte.

But I faced my fear, and even though things didn’t go as well as I had hoped, I was able to follow through and complete the interviews as well as the course.

God really is strong in our weaknesses.

At day’s end, I can look back and give thanks to the Lord for giving me the grace and strength to follow through with a task that was very difficult for me.

And that gives me hope and incentive to face a different fear tomorrow.

A God Thing

Saturday I had my first Steeped Tea party.

I had been scared out of my mind leading up to it…but somehow, in a way that can only be explained by God, I was fairly calm during the party. And – praise Him – things went really well!

The Lord has been drawing me out of my comfort zone. I struggle with social anxiety, so being around large groups of people (especially people I don’t know well) is difficult for me. But Saturday turned out perfectly. The weather was gorgeous, there were a good number of people whom I knew, and everyone was able to enjoy the products and to have a nice time.

All I can do is be grateful to my amazing Father.

I didn’t think I could do it. I doubted myself, doubted God, made excuses, and over-analyzed things. But the LORD was bigger than all of my faltering. He did in and through me something that I didn’t think was possible.

What are you struggling with today? Is there something that just seems too big for you to tackle?

It may be too big for you to manage – on your own. But not with God! He does things in our lives that are far greater than we could ever imagine.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
     where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
     the Maker of heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:1-2

A song that has been an encouragement to me over the past several weeks of preparation for my tea party is called “Shoulders,” by For King and Country. If you are able, take a minute to listen to it, and allow God to pour out His mercy and grace on you and your situation. Our help comes from Him! ❤