A few years back - I found myself stuck in a mental rut. Years of deep rooted family issues came to a peak - job insecurities and financial roller coasters, striving for perfection in a life of constant failures as a parent - balancing marriage, work, and community - internal pressures I placed on myself.
As a result, my mind was in a constant state of noise - without peace or passion - not living only surviving. I knew I was not walking in the freedom God so desires for us as His children. Physically I was healthy - strong - active - however, my mental health was dwindling. I kept asking myself ( and my community)- why can’t I get over it? Where is this coming from? I truly gave a good effort with all of MY power - which only caused more frustration. I needed more - I deserved more - my family deserved more - I wanted LIFE- Joy - healing - hope. I made the call. I reached out. At first, I felt as if counseling couldn’t possibly help me - it was not for me - it was a label I did not want. However, I wanted to move forward, and this step was my next. After only one hour - one session- I was more aware than ever of all that I was constantly processing and how it was affecting my spiritual and mental outlook. I was stuck. God had brought me to a place where in order to move forward I had to go back to allow healing and to process. Years of suppressed hurt from a divorced family and unhealthy boundaries within family had brought me to a point of exhaustion, failure, anxiety - I had to learn - to retrain - to work new brain muscles to fight these tendencies. Through counseling I was led through healing prayers - God’s truths and love were spoken over me in new, life-changing ways. His constant presence revealed. Healing began. I could see freedom - Hope was renewed. Your story may not be my story. Your needs not the same as my needs. But without a doubt - I know your mental health is as important to you as my mental health is to me. Our thoughts affect our lives - our families’ lives. God desires for us is to live in His freedom - in His constant peace and love. Counseling is a journey from which I have been able to see constant growth in myself. I am encouraged along the path God has laid out for me to live my best life. I am proud to say I see a counselor. I urge my friends to do the same. I have placed my middle school son in counseling before his first crisis. Why? Because our mental health is crucial. It gives us life over destruction - joy over hopelessness - love over fear. Thank you to Ivey Broxton for sharing your story with us.
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Bethel HavenWritten by our counselors to help promote your help, hope, healing Archives
June 2021
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