A Random Post About Mental Health

Mental health is something, in my opinion, that doesn’t get recognized near enough, and although there are so, so many things I could say on this topic, I will try my best to keep it straight to the main point… (note: I said try).

I do want to say, though, that ever since I was twelve years old, I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety. I’ve had my share of highs and lows with both and can honestly say that I believe I am in the best place in my life right now than I ever have been. I won’t get into all of the details, I just want to get it across that this is the perspective that I’m writing this post from. I wouldn’t passionately write about something that I have no experience with.
I also want to say a few things to all of you who are dealing with these or other issues (and even to those who aren’t dealing with these things, but perhaps knows someone who is).
First, I want to say that, although you may feel differently and your circumstances say otherwise, you are not alone in this. You are not on your own. You don’t have to try and get through everything you’re feeling by yourself. In fact, I encourage you not to, because when we, as humans, decide to take things into our own hands instead of seeking the Lord’s will, that is when things begin to get worse. That does more harm than good.
What I mean is, when we begin to base our entire existence off of how we feel and the situation that we’re currently in, that is when we fail. Our feelings are just that – feelings. They are the result of a certain thought or thing that takes place in our life. They are not facts. Our feelings are not always true and there is no solid foundation of proof for us to rely on, hold us up, or keep us going. They change every day, multiple times a day, along with our situation and things around us.
God, on the other hand, never changes. He’s the same God today that he was when he created the first man and woman that ever walked the earth. He never changes and his word never changes or goes away (Matthew 24:45). God doesn’t leave when things get ugly or give up on us, even when we’ve given up on ourselves.
I know this stuff is sometimes easier said than done, but I also know that we have to try as well. It is truly an act of faith, I believe, when a man or woman becomes so broken in their own heart over certain things, that they go to the Lord and cry out for His help. When someone says to the Lord, “God, I can’t do this by myself. “I need you!” Or, to put it in a different way, I think it takes a strong person to admit that they are weak.
God won’t force himself into anyone’s lives, but he is there and he offers us comfort, if we are humble enough to ask for it. He delights in us seeking him and seeking to feel his presence in our lives.
Sometimes too, though, I believe that God allows us to get broken, so that we would understand just how desperately we need him in order to be fully whole. There is no true, lasting happiness without him. There is no peace without him. There is no hope without him. There is no love without him. Without him, we, indeed, have nothing.

Second, I want to say that perhaps you’re at a point in your life where you’re stuck, broken and/or feel like giving up. Maybe your heart feels like it’s literally breaking in two. Maybe you’re overwhelmed and terrified because everything around you (or inside of you) seems to be shattering to pieces and, no matter how hard you try, you cannot put it back together.
Well, my dear friend, take a deep breath; because you don’t have to. To put it more bluntly, you can’t – not on your own. We live in a broken world full of broken people and it doesn’t matter if we try until we take our very last breath, it will never be enough to fix everything. It’s a big world and it’s a big, evil giant we have to face each morning when we wake up.
But God is bigger than them both. God is bigger than our fears, worries, trials, feelings, depression, anxiety, and any other baggage we feel like is weighing us down.
I encourage you, look to the Lord. Whoever you are, whatever you’re going through, go to God, take your burdens with you, and leave them at the foot of the cross. Pour out your heart before the Lord – he will listen.
If you need someone to talk to or want to discuss anything, I will be happy to listen as well and give any advice that I can. It hurts my heart to see other people hurting, and whatever I can do to make life a little less painful for someone, I want to do it.
I know this post was kind of all over the place, but this was something I just had on my heart this afternoon, and if you’ve stuck with me this far, thank you very much! You’re greatly appreciated! 😊
May God bless and keep you, my beautiful friend, and may you never forget just how much you are loved!