Mental Health Month
The entire month of May is Mental Health Month. This is a great opportunity to remind everyone that it is okay not to be okay!
As I thought about this topic, I did a little research as to when it first originated. Much to my surprise, I discovered that May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949. I had NO idea! Did you?
During this month, advocates and activists seek to draw attention and awareness to the mental health issues that touch people’s lives all across this nation.
Did you realize that as many as one in five Americans are affected by mental illness? Neither did I!
I’d say it’s time for us to wake up and realize that people are hurting. Some hide it so well behind the many masks that they wear, but deep down inside, they are in great turmoil! The vast majority are suffering in silence, afraid to speak out for fear of the stigma attached to those with mental illnesses.
When a mental illness is left untreated, the person soon begins to have suicidal thoughts. They are consumed with feelings of hopelessness. This is when we need to be screaming from the roof tops that HELP IS AVAILABLE!!
Sadly, there is a large number that do not seek treatment. The harsh realization is that more people die by suicide than automobile accidents! Does that not shock you and shake you to your very core? It’s time to CHANGE that!
It breaks my heart to think of those suffering in silence, plagued with darkness, feeling as if the only way out is to take their own lives. They’re so afraid of the shame and humiliation they will feel or their family members will feel if they seek help. Yet, asking for help is the bravest thing they could possibly do!!
Will you join me in breaking the silence? Will you join in support for tearing down all the negatives that society has some how placed on those with a mental illness?
No one asks to be mentally ill. NO ONE!
Here at Light Love Hope, we have such compassion for each and every person that has ever struggled with mental health issues.
Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. We need you to know that help is available, and there are proven methods in dealing with mental illness. You do not have to fear being judged any longer. Help is available, and we encourage you to find a mental healthcare professional in your area to discuss options that are available for you.
If you, a loved one, or a valued friend are feeling suicidal, please reach out for support. You can start here, if you feel you cannot ask for help from those around you. Please go the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention where help is available now!
Your life matters!
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Once a movie, now the theme of our lives since January 1, 2016: A Series of Unfortunate Events. Honestly, that is the first thing that popped into my mind to describe the past four months.
There was a series of unfortunate events that spiraled out of control for a bit. It left such heartache and pain in its path, and after the mass destruction, it was hard to pick up the pieces of my daughter’s shattered heart. I’ll never forget her running into the living room crying hysterically as she fell into my arms sobbing deep, uncontrollable sobs. Her heart shattered right there on the floor all around us. I’ve never felt more helpless in all of my life. My daughter was hurting, and I couldn’t fix it. In the past, I could always kiss it and make it better when she scraped her knee or fell off of her bike. This time was way different, and I knew all I could do was hold her and pray for God to help us in this situation.
For months, we prayed. We knew that this was bigger than all of us, and only God could change hardened hearts. While we wished, prayed, and hoped for an answer in January, it just simply does not happen in our timing. When God seems silent, just know that He is working in the background. We just may not ever know it at the time, but if you’re patient and continue to have faith, God will reveal all in HIS timing.
And … He has.
Friday, my daughter called once more in tears. I could barely understand a word she was saying through her sobs. As she cried, I started crying, too. Finally, I grasped what my daughter was trying to say. An apology had been extended to her, out of the blue! We were both taken back by this, and she asked what she should do. Knowing she was about to be late going into work at that point, I told her to just breathe … and set the message aside until after work. She and I would pray about it and decide how to respond.
God … You truly WERE listening when we prayed, and You WERE at work the entire time!
That evening, she responded to the message through tears and nervousness. Hoping, waiting, wanting … And then a message popped up addressed to me. A very humble, respectful apology that I believe was heart felt. We hugged and cried together for God surely answered our prayers.
My daughter cried once more, but this time it was different. Her tears fell out of pure happiness over an opportunity for redemption. For a love she thought she’d lost forever has now returned asking forgiveness and vowing to prove that he is a changed man.
While others may not understand why anyone should receive a second chance after the series of unfortunate events, we know that God has forgiven us ALL for things we’ve done in our lives that were unpleasing to Him. If God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend our forgiveness to those that are humble and sincere? I believe we shall take this chance and allow this young man to prove himself. If we didn’t offer another chance, we would always wonder what could have been. And so we go, with God on our side, seeking His guidance and asking for His protection over their hearts and lives.
We know things won’t be roses and rainbows all the time. We also know that there is a lot of work that has to be done here for him to pick up the shattered pieces of my daughter’s heart and put them back together again to make her whole. I believe he is capable, if he invites God into his relationship.
No outside interference from non-supporting friends or family will be tolerated either. If people cannot genuinely support these two, then they need to keep their negative thoughts to themselves.
I believe that people can change if they truly want to. When their heart has been heavy and hurting for so long, they have to make a decision to continue living the way they have been OR to make a lasting change for the better.
I believe out of the ashes and the pain, a beautiful love will emerge stronger than ever.
God Is For Us, In Us, With Us
As you’re going about your day, do you feel as if negative energy is trying to pull you down? Maybe you’re feeling some kind of way, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Your thoughts are invaded with things from the past which still seem to haunt you in the present.
Or, maybe you’ve battled with an addiction previously, conquered it with the help of God, and yet here comes temptation flaunting itself in your face once more. Recently we had a friend pull out a can of snuff. In conversation, he reached in his pocket, then offered the can to my husband and I. He stopped what he was talking about long enough to say that his mama always told him it was rude to partake of something in front of others without asking if they’d like some first so he was offering his chewing tobacco to us. He laughed as he extended it in my direction knowing that I surely would not ever take it. That’s when I laughed, declined the offer, but politely told him that not too long ago this innocent offer would have been troublesome for us. He stared back at me as I finished by saying that thankfully my husband kicked the habit a few years ago and no longer chews tobacco. This guy’s face dropped, and he let his arm, which was previously extended out in front of him with the can firmly in his grasp, drop with it. He stumbled over his words for a second before saying, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know …” We were smiling when we told him that it was no big deal now, but he insisted that it was. He said he did not want to be the temptation of his brothern and that he did not want to do anything that might cause my husband to be weak. My husband spoke up then and said it was a hard demon to slay back then, but he did it. He went on to say that he’s at a place now where the sight, smell, nor seeing someone dip no longer bothers him.
Maybe it isn’t something as simple as a can of chewing tobacco that someone offers to you. Perhaps you were once an alcoholic who tried to drown your sorrows in the bottle of whiskey, and yet when you’re out with friends now, they order drinks from the bar. Would you have enough willpower not to order one, too, knowing the affects alcohol has had on you and your life previously?
Temptation is all around, even in the form of what we place before our eyes. Whether it’s in magazines, on television, in movies, or even on our smart phones in the search engines or social media. Temptation abounds. You have to constantly guard your heart, mind, and soul in all areas.
I’d like to encourage you with a few scriptures today, one which speaks of taking a stand against the devil’s schemes. We have to be aware at all times that he lurks trying to destroy our lives. I had someone just today talking about how when they are happy and are enjoying an outing with their family, it seems like something is going to happen that will cause them to lose their temper or get anxious. They questioned why this seems to always happen when they’re all out there just trying to have fun. Why? My theory is that the devil cannot stand to see you happy. He prefers that you are miserable, and he will do everything to ensure that you live a miserable existence. When we’re living for God, the devil gets angry and attacks us. Notice how when you’re living in sin, it doesn’t seem like you’re bothered. That’s because the devil has you right where he wants you, in a world full of sinful ways. But, the moment that you try to redeem yourself and get back on the straight and narrow with God’s help, the devil begins to launch his attacks against you. Just know this. GOD is stronger than any temptation that the devil tries to put in front of you. GOD will not allow the devil to win. Evil will NOT prevail. God has the final say, and I want you to know that God Is For Us, In Us, With Us – and isn’t that a reassuring truth?! You do not ever have to feel like you’re in this alone. God is ALWAYS there. He is our biggest fan! And if you ask Him into your heart, there He will stay! AND, what’s more is that God is with us no matter where we may go or what we may face. He’s there fighting with us and often times FOR us.
Be encouraged today and allow God to help you replace those negative thoughts with good, wholesome thoughts. If you’re replaying a difficult situation over in your mind with the shoulda-coulda-woulda thought process – STOP! Literally, say STOP out loud if you have to in order to redirect your thoughts. Or, try this. Wear a rubber band around your wrist, and every time you start going down that same ole destructive path with those thoughts, POP the rubber band on your wrist. OUCH! This is a reminder because it HURTS … physically, yes it does. Not only that, though, it HURTS us when we start hearing the beep … beep … beep of backing up and going in the past over a situation that is already over with! There is no going back. There is no changing what happened or the outcome. What’s done is done. Stop going back over the situation in your mind rehearsing it 14 different ways. STOP the madness. Just like the physical pain you feel when you snap that rubber band, you’re causing yourself mental anguish by allowing the thoughts to continue!
Try this.
For every negative that comes into your head, replace it with a positive thought. Praise God for things that you are grateful for. If you have gratitude in your heart and mind, your thoughts will follow. If the devil tries to get on your shoulder and whisper negatives in your ear, stop him in his tracks and start thinking GOOD thoughts. Think of how beautiful your children are when they are just standing on a white sandy beach looking out at the rolling waves as they crash against the rocks. Let your mind be consumed by the laughter that fills the air when your child runs toward you as the waves lick the shore. Shift your mind and shift your focus! You must take control of those thoughts that try to run free. You wouldn’t let your horse buck, kick, and bolt off if you were on it, now would you? NO! So don’t let such a thing happen in your mind! Just as you would attempt to regain control over your horse, regain control over your thoughts. Ask God to help you, and I assure you that HE WILL!!
The verses I mentioned earlier are as follows. Think on these things and go forth to enjoy this beautiful day that the Lord has given us!
Ephesians 6:11,
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
John 10:10,
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
