Long story short: we are all affected by mental illness is some way, shape, or form. It may be a sibling, a lover, a friend, you. This person may have made their struggle known. Maybe they have not. Be a safe place.
Too often people feel as though they are alone. They feel judged and criticized. Society has placed this stigma on mental illness that I think, thankfully, is being broken a little. I am thankful because in the dark is no place to be.
I've been there. I've heard the possible diagnoses of bipolar, panic disorder, anxiety, clinical depression. I've spent time sorting through medications with doctors to try and find the ones that work best with each other and did not cause issues with other medical problems. I've experienced the uncontrollable anxiety.... the kind that restricts breathing. I've walked through the darkness of depression... the kind that makes you lay in bed and not want to move... longing for a light at the end of the tunnel. I've crept through the thoughts of suicide... when Satan whispers in one ear to do it. I've experienced the power of the Holy Spirit closing my ears to those whispers and moving me to dispose of anything that could be harmful... and to reach out.
I've done this as a Christian who has faith in God and believes in what Christ did for me on the cross. I was not experiencing these things because I didn't have enough faith. I wasn't experiencing these things because I wasn't eating healthy or exercising appropriately. I was experiencing these things because there was something physically wrong and out of balance in my body. Just like with my diabetes I needed medical attention. I need a doctor to walk me through it. I need medications to keep my body balanced. And I needed love and support. And I'm blessed to have a loving family, to have friends I can confide in, and a Father in Heaven who loves me more than any of these people could ever love me COMBINED.
Faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is Love.
Love covers a multitude of sin.
Love is patient and kind.
God loves us SO MUCH that Christ, his only son, died on a cross. Not just for me. But for you. He loves you too!!! I am a much healthier person today than I was two years ago because I had faith and even though it was shaky I was loved and given hope by those surrounding me. From a mother who spent days with me after a hospital release (not to mention birthing me and raising me) to a friend who willingly met with me to talk through life and give me hope that God still loved me even in the midst of the struggles. And other friends who would stay up in conversation and prayer with me, reiterating how much Jesus loves me.
Friends, He never stops loving us. He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. Love. It's a strong word. Make it a movement. Be hope and love for somebody. Listen to their story. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. Walk with them. Do life with them. Be hope for them.
My tattoo is a reminder that I am loved. The non-profit organization "To Write Love On Her Arm" is one that gives hope. It is a place to talk your story. It is a movement. The stories are true to the heart. The struggles expressed are real struggles. Don't ignore them. It's time to speak out. If you need help it is time to get help. Speak out!!! You are not alone.
The story behind To Write Love On Her Arm is a good one. I'd recommend the reading of the original story. The story is posted below. Write love on their arm. Be a voice for those who have no voice or may be too scared to speak. This is the story behind my ink. I can look down and see a beautiful reminder of love. And see infinity knowing that God is the only infinite and that He is pure, unadulterated love.
https://twloha.com/learn/story/
https://twloha.com/learn/story/
