God's plan

 

For a long time, I felt "broken." I had completely lost my sense of self, and my life just wasn't my own. Then my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, and I really lost it. Fortunately, God had brought me back to Him right before this. I wouldn't have survived this time otherwise, but I'll talk about that tomorrow.
     Here's the video I mentioned yesterday. I'm really embarrassed to share it because I'm not proud of the decisions I made back then (and also because I didn't know I moved my mouth so weird when I talk). Still, most of you have seen it already anyway and this week is about putting myself out there in the hopes of encouraging others who struggle with different mental issues to seek help. It's not a weakness. A big part of depression is physical and has to do with the synapsis in our brains (or something like that).
     When this pandemic hit, it felt like all of the work I had done to heal was immediately undone and left me feeling broken once again. A dear friend sent me this, and it really helped, so I'd like to share it with anyone out there who needs to know this message:
Me: Hey God.
God: Hello.....
Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
God: Because you aren't a puzzle.
Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking down!
God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.
Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?
God: Only the very best pieces of you.
Me: I'm scared of changing.
God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!
Me: Becoming who?
God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! ... Become! Become! Become who I made you to be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it.
Me: There goes another piece.
God: Yep. Let it be.
Me: So ... I'm not broken?
God: Of course Not! - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day. Become!!!
~Author John Roedel

being confident of this very thing, 

that He who has begun a good work in you 

will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

If you or anyone you know is suffering from any sort of mental condition, please reach out to someone. I encourage you to seek counseling; it has made a world of difference to me. Go to  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ to search for a therapist in your area. You can then filter the results to show only Christian counselors, then by issues, gender, therapy methods, etc. if you want. Pray for the strength and courage to take this vital step to recovery.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who suffer from any type of mental illness. Pray that they will find strength and hope and comfort in the Lord. Let's also pray that they seek earthly counsel and aid.  

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #depression #anxiety #testimony #Jesus #hope #help #MentalBreakdown #therapist

Freeze

After moving back home (a second time), I got a job as a receptionist. While working there, I met my future husband. The following 22 years were "difficult." There were a lot of good things, and some wonderful experiences and blessings but the big takeaway were the effects of that time on my emotional and mental health.
     My husband was emotionally and verbally abusive. It's difficult to explain what it was like, and why I put up with it. Why didn't I leave? I've struggled with that question for the past several years on my road to recovery. The only answers I could come up with are that I felt like he needed me, and like I was handling it. I felt like my reason for living was to, in fact, take care of him. But, the way I handled it was to "freeze." Most have heard of the "fight or flight" response but not a lot has been said about "freezing". I was numb. I spent so many years walking on eggshells, trying to avoid setting him off, but it was just an impossible task. Without realizing it, I just basically shut down. It also didn't help that we were poor and in debt up to our eyebrows.
     My job was another contributing factor to my mental distress. It was like a continuation of college in the sense that it was an overwhelming workload, impossible deadlines, long hours, and some clients who were just downright cruel. Through all of this, I tried dealing with the anxiety and resulting depression on my own. That's how I handled everything. I was raised to be "strong" and not ask for help.
     The mental and emotional issues (even if I did "freeze") still managed to manifest themselves in physical ways that I couldn't ignore. My solution was to treat the physical symptoms because I didn't really see any possible way to treat the underlying causes. Plus, I didn't always see the connection between the two.
     My heart would race and my chest felt heavy. My solution was to drink camomile tea. I had the full array of "digestive disorders" so I always kept with me, everywhere I went, Ultra-Strength Gas-X, Beano, Tums, and Imodium AD. Again, I thought I was successfully dealing with everything.
     Other than that, there were headaches, and I always seemed to be sick with one thing or another, mostly colds, flu, bronchitis, strep throat, ear infections, and sinus infections. Oh, and I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day and drank on the weekends which didn't help my physical health.
     The panic attacks sent me to urgent care a couple of times because I wasn't sure what was happening. Around the 21st year of my marriage, though, I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. I began praying to God, unceasing, begging Him for forgiveness, for healing. I swore to Him that I would never leave Him again if only He would save me. That whole experience is it's own testimony which I'll try to share a link to tomorrow. (Again, reminding family not to share any of this with Mom, please. Yes, I'm serious!) So, while God was back in my life, I still didn't know how to give my anxiety to Him or even how to really ask for help. I prayed for other people, and I thanked Him for all of the blessings He did bestow on me and felt a degree of peace in doing that.
     Like I said, those were "difficult" years. The next 3 years would be the hardest, though.

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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6-8 ESV

Recommended Resources:

Books: 

Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder

by Paul T. T. Mason MS and Randi Kreger 

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

- Both books also have workbooks available.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from any sort of mental condition, please reach out to someone. I encourage you to seek counseling; it has made a world of difference to me. Go to  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ to search for a therapist in your area. You can then filter the results to show only Christian counselors, then by issues, gender, therapy methods, etc. if you want. Pray for the strength and courage to take this vital step to recovery.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who suffer from any type of mental illness. Pray that they will find strength and hope and comfort in the Lord. Let's also pray that they seek earthly counsel and aid. 

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #depression #anxiety #testimony #Jesus #hope #help #MentalBreakdown #therapist

My abyss

The super-condensed version of my fall into the Abyss of Mental Illness began with college. It should be noted that for whatever reason when I left for school, I left my church-life and bibles at home. I even quit praying. 

     College was absolutely horrible, and abandoning my faith just made it worse, but I didn't realize that at the time. There were project deadlines and all-nighters; my professors were so negative and just downright mean. I was overwhelmed, which led to anxiety and then depression. During my second year, I started having these meltdowns. My main studio professor said it was her job to weed out the weak, and that she did. I ended up dropping out during year 3 of a 5-year program. All of my dreams for my life were shattered and I didn't have a plan B, so, I had to move back in with my parents. I went to church, but my heart and soul just weren't feeling it. 

     I got a job in Cincinnati, but it didn't pay enough for me to get an apartment so I had to commute from Dayton every day. There was a sleazy salesman at that company who I was warned to 'not get caught alone with,' which freaked me out. He touched me on the shoulder one day and I hyperventilated. Shortly after that, I was fired (it was the 80s). 

     So, I moved to Michigan to live with my boyfriend, his mom, his brother, and his brother's fiance. My boyfriend and I broke up, so I moved back in with my parents, only, while I was living in Michigan, my grandmother moved into my parents' house and they gave her my room since it was assumed that I was going to marry this guy. I lived in their rec room. 

     I pretty much felt as if I had hit rock bottom. If only I hadn't turned my back on God, or if I had only asked Him for help during any of this, life might have been more bearable. As it was, I had nothing to cling to. 

When the righteous cry for help, 

the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 

but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 

Psalm 34:17-19 ESV

If you or anyone you know is suffering from any sort of mental condition, please reach out to someone. I encourage you to seek counseling; it has made a world of difference to me. Go to 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ to search for a therapist in your area. You can then filter the results to show only Christian counselors, then by issues, gender, therapy methods, etc. if you want. Pray for the strength and courage to take this vital step to recovery.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who suffer from any type of mental illness. Pray that they will find strength and hope and comfort in the Lord. Let's also pray that they seek earthly counsel and aid. 

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #depression #anxiety #testimony #Jesus #hope #help #MentalBreakdown #therapist

Mental disorders

 

This week I would like for us to pray for those who are struggling mentally and emotionally. I'll share my own struggles in these areas both past and present and I just ask that my family members don't share any of it with my mom.
     My entire adult life (from age 18 to this very moment and, most likely, far into the future) has been a constant struggle with depression and anxiety. My dad had both and my mom has both but she denies it vehemently. I was diagnosed with PTSD but consider myself "cured" from that. I've had debilitating panic attacks.
     According to WHO, approximately 450 million people suffer from some sort of mental disorder. Sometimes it's good to reaffirm that we aren't alone in our sufferings.
     Why am I sharing this? Because it's what God wants me to do. The subject has been weighing on me for several weeks but I kept using the excuse that there wasn't enough time to prepare. God found some extra time for me this weekend, so no more excuses.
     When I was looking for related bible verses, 2 Corinthians 12:9 really spoke to me. I admittedly have a hard time just outright sharing the gospel, but find it easy (or rather, easier) to testify to how Jesus works in my life. If I can bring Him glory by sharing my weaknesses and struggles, then I feel blessed to do it! He is my rock and my hope through everything.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, 

for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, 

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

More tomorrow.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who suffer from any type of mental illness. Pray that they will find strength and hope and comfort in the Lord. Let's also pray that they seek earthly counsel and aid. 

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #depression #anxiety #testimony #Jesus #hope #help

Assurance of faith

 

This isn't one of the "5 Assurances" but I think it's important anyway. I think it speaks of baptism, washing our bodies and our hearts clean from sin, allowing us to "draw near" to Christ.

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, 

having our hearts sprinkled from an 

evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

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Please join me this week in praying for the unsaved that they may come to know the hope and assurance of a loving and merciful Father, of Christ Jesus who bore our sins on the cross that we may have eternal life. Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that they may find peace and joy in Jesus. Pray for the lost that the Good Shepherd will call them to Him. And finally, pray for the opportunity, and then the words and encouragement to share our testimonies, our assurances as followers of Christ Jesus.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #5assurances #purity #God #Jesus #salvation #sin

Assurance of Guidance

 

This is another one of my favorite assurances (they're all great)! I trust in it almost daily. The days I don't utilize this gift from God are definitely more troublesome than the days I do.

The best verse to give us this assurance (IMO) is my life verse:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

“This is the way, walk in it,”

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left.

Isaiah 30:21 NKJV

A man’s heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 32:8 NKJV

I don't remember if I read it somewhere or if it was part of a sermon, but the point was to make a practice of asking each morning for the Lord to guide your steps, actions, words; to ask that He use us to accomplish His will each day. If you think of it and/or feel up to the challenge, let's start our day off, right now with this prayer and see what happens.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:5-6 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unsaved that they may come to know the hope and assurance of a loving and merciful Father, of Christ Jesus who bore our sins on the cross that we may have eternal life. Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that they may find peace and joy in Jesus. Pray for the lost that the Good Shepherd will call them to Him. And finally, pray for the opportunity, and then the words and encouragement to share our testimonies, our assurances as followers of Christ Jesus.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #5assurances #guidance #God #Jesus #direction

Assurance of Forgiveness

This is the greatest gift of all. The only reason we have this assurance is that Jesus died for our sins. He bore the wrath of God for each one of us, pouring out His blood, and paid the price as the most perfect sacrificial Lamb. All He asks in return from us is: 

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV

Jesus laid down His life for us; an act of love like no other.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13 NKJV

Why would anyone refuse a gift such as this? It's a gift that comes with a promise of eternal life in Heaven. 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness” 

I John 1:9 

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37 NIV

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5 NIV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unsaved that they may come to know the hope and assurance of a loving and merciful Father, of Christ Jesus who bore our sins on the cross that we may have eternal life. Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that they may find peace and joy in Jesus. Pray for the lost that the Good Shepherd will call them to Him. And finally, pray for the opportunity, and then the words and encouragement to share our testimonies, our assurances as followers of Christ Jesus.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #5assurances #forgiveness #cross #Jesus  #gospel #heaven #sacrifice #sin