Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.
Mental stability. As you prepared or you are yet preparing for your day what is your frame of mind? Are you panicking about anything? Are you experiencing overwhelming fear about leaving your home? What about fear of what could happen when you get in your car to drive? Experiencing any overwhelming fear of losing your job or not being able to make ends meet? When you get in social settings do you feel socially paralyzed? Do all of these fears and feelings seem ridiculous to you? If so, don’t think it’s so ridiculous but be grateful that you’ve been blessed with a mind that is not overcome by the anxieties that many suffer on a daily basis. The medical profession has a hard time trying to decipher this thing that tends to mentally cripple so many people. When I was growing up, outside of my immediate family no one knew that I suffered greatly with eating in social settings. There was never the thought of seeking any professional help but it was very real for me. The medical environment lumps this under Social Anxiety Disorders. It was as if I was paralyzed whenever I went in a restaurant or at any gathering where there was food involved. I could not eat in front of people. And if I was out at a restaurant I tried my best to get the seat where my back faced others in the restaurant. One time it was so bad that I went to a banquet with family and seemingly had no appetite until I got home and wanted the chicken my mom had taken off my plate and wrapped up. I can laugh at that now but that was a very hard time for me. Even now, unrelated to food, at times I have somewhat of a challenge just being in settings where I don’t know anyone. But it’s never been in a way that causes me to be overwhelmed (how else could I have gone on a 7 day cruise 2 years in a row all by myself. J) With all that I can say I’ve never been in a mental state where it affected my heart rate or my ability to physically function. For many this is a very, VERY serious issue.
If you do not suffer
with any anxiety or other mental disorders be overly grateful to God for the
stability of your mind. Don’t take it for granted. And if you are suffering
with this condition I’m going to do something for you I haven’t done in the
past 11 days on this journey of purposeful thankfulness. Will you allow me to
pray with you? Just repeat this: Dear God,
you know the challenges that I have faced and I’m asking You in this moment to
please have mercy on me. I confess right now according to II Timothy 1:7 that
You have given me a mind that is calm, well-balanced, disciplined and under control. To You I surrender my life
and anything in my life that is keeping me from seeing the manifestation of
this freedom in my life right now. Help me God to surrender my thoughts right
now regarding what all this means to surrender my life to You and just trust
You. I’ve tried everything so here I am in faith speaking these words to You. I
ask that You please honor my faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen. If you’ve sincerely prayed all that in faith hold
on to it and talk to someone you trust and have seen live their life on this
faith. And if you are taking any medication by all means go back to your doctor
before you just decide to stop taking anything. BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE get around Godly, faith-filled people and know for
yourself what God is speaking to you. Remain thankful and have
a blessed day.
No comments:
Post a Comment