Sadness. Madness. And everything in between!
When I was in middle school I was introduced to the term, "Mental Illness." One of my close family members was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, another term that was new to me then.
"What does this mean?" I remember thinking. "Are they still the same person?" "Is everything I know about them a lie?" "How does this work?" "Is this contagious?"
"Are they even a Christian?"
I mean I wasn't one at the time, so what did I know of Christians, but I do remember hearing things like Christians aren't supposed to have "those kind of issues" and I guess a part of me believed it.
Fast forward 26 years...
My family member is still battling mental illness. Their mind and emotions have diminished rapidly over the last decade and sometimes I feel helpless where they are concerned. It's tricky, but it's life.
I still have questions, just new ones. One question that I don't wrestle with any more is, "Are they even a Christian?" The answer to that question I wholeheartedly believe is, YES!
So many Christians struggle with mental illness. I think less would struggle if they could just, well you know...tell somebody.
Somebody like me, somebody like you. Someone who would keep it real and talk about their own struggles, their own sadness, their own madness, and yes - everything in between.
If you are struggling with manic episodes, depression, anxiety, or anything close to it, do not hide in the shadows. Expose them to the light.
The light of Community - Talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to your coworkers, talk to your doctor. TALK. If you don't have people you trust or anyone to confide in, call on me! If you need a counselor I'd love to recommend some to you! Email me at rissaj316@gmail.com.
The light of God's Word - Maybe you're not a Christian and you're reading this - bear with me. God's Word is healing for what ails us, it exposes our real thoughts, feelings, motives, well everything. And not only that, it exposes us to His love, His Grace, His Mercy, and His Kindness. (Oh, how we need His Kindness!) . Read Isaiah 26:3. Read Psalm 4:8. Read Psalm 3:3. Read Psalm 121.
The light of Prayer - "God hears me when I pray." I remember when that thought sunk in for the first time. My pretty prayers, my painful prayers, my tear-filled prayers, my hollering prayers, my prayers for strength, and my prayers for sanity. He hears them and He helps. Take a few minutes and talk to God about what's really going on in your mind and with your emotions.
Whatever you do, do something. Please.
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Sometimes we're just too busy to keep it real with ourselves, let alone everyone else, about where we are emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Take some time before you go to bed tonight and do an honest self-assessment of your health in these three areas.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself: (There are many other questions, but these are the kind I ask myself.)
Am I comfortable doing nothing? Does silence send me into a spiral of anxious thoughts or depressed emotions?
Who really knows me? I mean the real me?
Do I ever need help? If yes, do I ask for it? If no, REALLY?
Do I feel like I can be myself in every room that I am in? Or do I mask who I am to control other's perceptions?
Can I sleep without a pill or a drink or binge-watching TV?
Do I prettify my prayers so God and I don't have to have a real conversation?
Answer them honestly. Then share your answers with God and someone else.
I'll do it if you will.
Love - Clarrissa