Tag: mental health

A New Song

I must admit, today didn’t start off well. I woke up feeling tired, discouraged, and more than a little hopeless.

It wasnt like something really negative had occurred, or like I had nothing to be grateful for – because that was far from the truth. It was just that my hormones and emotions were pulling me into a pit of depression and anxiety.

That all-too-familiar and dreaded pit of darkness.

I wanted to feel sorry for myself and wallow in my feelings of dejection. It would be so easy! And for a little while, I DID wallow. But God quickly pulled me closer to Himself and snapped me back to reality through a suggestion from my husband:

“Why don’t you put on some uplifting music?” he asked.

I didn’t want to – I just didnt feel like it! The pit I occupied was deep and dark, and it seemed impossible to try to climb out. Also, if I was honest, the pit felt somewhat comfortable in its familiarity.

But as I turned on some Christian music and sat down with Micah, our miracle child, the LORD faithfully began to pull me up out the depths with truths from His Word.

He loves me. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for my sins and to provide a way for me to have a relationship with Him. He is good, and wants what is best for me. I can trust Him. He is in control – and I don’t have to try to be!

Maybe you can understand my feelings of worry and despair. Maybe you’re in a dark pit of your own, and can’t seem to climb out. Look to God for help. Wait expectantly for His provision. He is faithful, and will not fail you. As you rely on His grace and strength, He will lift you out of the pit and provide a song in your heart – a new song of praise that will be a testimony to those around you. 💛

“I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” ~ Psalm 40:1-3

Thankful Thursday – God Carries Our Burdens

I’ve been overwhelmed recently.

Overwhelmed by questions that I don’t have answers to and decisions that we need to make as a family. The future seems so unclear and confusing. We ask God for wisdom, but sometimes no direction is forthcoming. And it all gets wrapped up in a big bundle that I feel on my back, weighing me down.

But God doesn’t want that burden on my back. He wants to take it for me.

Matthew 11:28-30 reads, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I’ve mentioned these verses before in my writing. It’s a promise that is special to me – however, I don’t often do my part by giving my burdens to the Lord and letting Him carry them for me. I can be a control freak, and letting go of those burdens means letting go of control. But I’m learning that we’re not meant to have that control.

It’s just too much! It’s too much. God never intended for us to be weighed down by burdens to the point of anxiety and even negative physical symptoms. He wants us to take His yoke upon us and let Him do all of the hard work – the lifting, the carrying, the controlling. He promises to gently come alongside us and take the weight, and to teach us the way to go. He will give us rest for our souls.

So today I’m grateful for a God who carries our burdens. And I pray that I will continually surrender the weight of my worries to Him, trusting that He’ll take care of me and our family and our future.

He is good, and He deserves my (and our) heartfelt praise. ❤

Photo by Ryan Jacobson on Unsplash

Pets and Mental Health

Pets are awesome.

They bring love, companionship, fun, a sense of responsibility, and lots and lots of cuddling to a home (among other things). But pets may also help in another way: promoting good mental health.

I know for me, my dog Daisy and cat Misty keep me upbeat. I feel good as I take care of them. In turn, my pets are happy – which makes me feel doubly good.

I love taking Daisy for walks when the weather is nice. Not only does it get me outside in the sun and get me exercising a bit, but it provides opportunities for me to take photos of nature and of me and my pup. And Daisy doesn’t mind getting out and about as well as keeping on top of the scents in her neighborhood!

Misty is older and does a lot of sleeping and eating, but I still enjoy petting her and brushing her giving her “kitty kisses.” She likes the sun, her cat condo, her food (and treats), and long naps. Just knowing she’s there gives me a good feeling.

All of these benefits help me with my depression and anxiety.

I don’t feel as alone knowing that my pets are around. It also helps that they can snuggle with me in silence – I don’t have to be a certain way around them, and I don’t need to verbally express what’s going on in my mind or hope that their response is encouraging instead of disheartening.

I would recommend a pet to anyone struggling with mental health issues who won’t be too overwhelmed by trying to take care of it!

How is your relationship with your pets? Do they help to keep you in good spirits? Is there a benefit they provide to you that I haven’t mentioned? ❤

The pup and I on our walk today! Yes, I may be acting just a tad goofy in this pic.