Encouragement 4 The Day :“Strong At the Broken Places”

In reading an article by Martha Beck I came across a quote by Hemingway “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” Oh I love the power and the lyrical beauty of a well spoken thought!

In going through struggles and in fighting depression, we tend to adopt an almost a fatalist point of view. We literally cannot see the forest for the trees but remember: NOTHING lasts forever!

I’m also learning to put things in perspective (one of my favorite words). When I consider the fact that one day this world will end a weird thing happens. It then makes no sense for me to get upset about bills, failures, and disappointments…you think I’m joking but it really works. Try it when you’re late for an appointment or you’re embarrassed about a mistake. Remind yourself that this world is only temporary and see what happens. Trivial things no longer become inflated disasters.

I don’t care what it is that you’re going through- at some point, it will end and if you endure, you will discover that you are indeed stronger at those broken places.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Perspective"

I am fascinated by how perspective alters the mind and can subsequently change the course of a life. How it is, that in looking at a glass as being half empty, results in different emotions than when you look at the same glass as being half full-Perspective.

I am prone to melancholic tendencies and therefore I’ll admit it- I do hold on to a rather jaded view of this life and the world in which we exist. However, I recently came across the question:

“If this world were perfect, would we long for heaven?” WOW

We were not meant to get comfortable on this sin cursed earth and in the same token-how would we know joy without experiencing pain?

Words are powerful! That simple question positively altered my mindset.

May we always strive to encourage, educate and uplift our fellow men by our words.

Encouragement 4 The Day: "Where is God when I Hurt?"

As I surfed the internet today I came across a profound statement that literally slapped me across the face. It’s funny how words, phrases or sentences can take the same idea or principle and give it a whole new meaning. Indeed, the written word is a powerful tool and should therefore be used wisely and with great caution.

So what was it that I read? Here it is from the website http://www.becauseofgod.com/theme_devotions_for_women/where_is_God_when_I_hurt_part_2.html 

“When you think and feel things like, “I am hurting so much but I don’t feel God’s presence!  It is hard for me to think of Him much less pray to Him in my hurt!  I feel He has deserted me because He doesn’t seem to answer my cry for help!”  You need to understand (if you don’t already know) that from a psychological and physical standpoint, when you hurt your mind doesn’t think very clearly, because your mind is mentally trying to handle the pain. Your emotions are screaming pain and hurt so it isn’t easy to feel anything but what you are experiencing. When you are suffering, anxiety and depression can also weigh on your feelings and outlook on life. So when you feel like He isn’t there when you are suffering, you need to realize no matter how you feel He is with you!”

How absolutely profound! I knew that when someone was in a depressed state or going through extreme mental or emotional anguish situations ‘appear’ to be worse than they actually are. I’ve experienced that so frequently…something that may not bother me when I’m happy will cause me to bite someone’s head off when I’m sad or depressed. BUT, it never occurred to me to link that with my feelings of abandonment by God. It’s empowering when you can cognitively recognize that what you’re feeling is not factual but a symptom of your emotional state. Subsequently, I further understood why loving God and your fellow man should not be based upon feeling but based upon choice-in other words, loving with your head in addition to your heart.

So if you’re feeling as if God has abandoned you-He hasn’t. If you feel as if it won’t ever get better-IT WILL. Recognize that these feelings of despair are symptoms of your pain and just as your body can heal so can your mind and your soul. This too shall pass!

Rest if you must but DO NOT QUIT!

Encouragement 4 The Day: "I Am Thankful..."

It's funny how God speaks to you in subtle ways. I was in the middle of a self-pity party that was going on full blast and was feeling rather justisfied too UNTIL I came across this poem written by a high school student by the name of Frances Shipp.Talk about putting things into perspective! I was humbled and blessed...Enjoy.

             I am thankful for...

·         the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

·         the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

·         the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes because it means she is at home, not on the streets.

·         the taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

·         the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

·         the clothes that fit a little too snugly because it means I have enough to eat.

·         my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine, and for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a house.

·         all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.

·         the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and have been blessed with transportation.

·         my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

·         the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.

·         the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

·         weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.

·         the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means I am alive.

—submitted by Frances Shipp, Weaver High School, Weaver, Alabama

Encouragement 4 The Day-"When you’ve Lost Someone you Love."

“The third messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine together at the oldest brother’s house. Suddenly a great wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once. The house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you!” Job1:18, 19 NCV

I remember when a friend of mine and a fellow student died as a result of a car accident on her way home during the school break. Even as I type this post, feelings of sadness permeate my spirit for she was a beautiful soul.  Death, especially when it’s sudden and unexpected, can render such a blow- to breathe in and of itself is painful. Can you imagine in ONE day, losing your home, your business and your children? My mind is also on Dr. William Petit whose beautiful wife and two daughters were killed in a senseless home invasion.Death of a Wife, Mother and Two Daughters Maybe you’ve recently experienced the death of a loved one or you’re still reeling from the pain even though some time has passed.

How do you cope with the Sting of Death?

·         No one but God can heal this pain- go to Him. But what if you’re angry or even blaming God for this trial? Tell Him that. Talk to Him as if you’re speaking with another human being. You are hurting and at this time stoicism is not a requirement.

·         Rest. If there is a day that you just want to sit and cry…sit and cry. Some people advocate pushing yourself to keep going and I understand their purpose-you don’t want to just stop living. However, do not deny yourself the expression of your pain as it helps you heal. If you want to scream-scream (preferably in an isolated area), if you want to punch something -punch it (preferably something inanimate and soft)…you catch my drift.

·         Music-I am such a firm believer in the therapeutic qualities of music. Inundate your life with music that you enjoy and love whether you feel like it or not. Just turn it on-you may be surprised to find that somehow your mood has been lifted.

·         Write-whatever you’re feeling write it down. Writing is cathartic.

·         Find support-You know what I’ve realized? Hearing “I’m praying for you” or “I’m sorry for your loss” does help especially when we know that the speaker truly cares. However, when you’re in the company of those who have gone through what you’re going through, it makes a HUGE difference. Join a support group- you’ll meet people who TRULY understand your pain.

“And God shall wipe away all tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 KJV

Remember: We don’t see the full picture only God knows the beginning from the end. Though we may not understand why- He is in control and He loves you.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"When Life Hurts!"

There are some days when it’s so difficult just to lift your head off of your pillow. Unless you’ve experienced the thrashing of depression you just won’t understand how that emotional ache translates into palpable physical pain and fatigue. Sometimes you just cannot pinpoint exactly why you’re unhappy (if you could- you would do something about it); you just know that it’s a HUGE struggle to find joy.

For  Christians although it should be easier (as we are advised to lean on Christ), it can actually be even more difficult as we try to abstain from those things that would harm the body ,mind or spirit but things which tend to hopefully provide a temporary release from pain. I’m referring to the mind numbing drugs such as narcotics and alcohol, for those of us not married engaging in a sexual relationship or other behaviors distancing us from Christ. So what then do we turn to?

More than anything, I’ve found because of my introverted personality, that music considerably eases the ache inside of my soul. There is something about hearing a beautiful piece of music that even in my darkest throes of depression I find myself happy to be alive just to hear it sung or played. One artist in particular comes to mind and that’s Dax Johnson. His music, in my opinion, reveals the heart of a beautiful soul and I just want to share one of his pieces with you today. May it help to ease your heart and bring a smile to your face. R.I.P. Dax … love you even though I’ve never met you.

Encouragement 4 The Day-"Self Pity Will Sink You Every Time"

My personality when you consider the personality temperaments: Choleric, Melancholy, Sanguine and Phlegmatic, is strongly Melancholy then a bit of Choleric and Phlegmatic. Subsequently, for most of my life I have been prone to depressive tendencies. For those of you battling depression, you would understand that this personality trait lends to a miserable existence both for you and those around you.  Battling one of those periods prompted me to pick up a book at the library called: “How to Win Over DEPRESSION” BY Tim LaHaye and it certainly has been a very interesting read thus far. While I didn’t agree with everything written he made some very precise points which prompted me literally STOP and THINK.

One of the points made which I didn’t agree with was when Dr. LaHaye, in relating self pity to depression called self-pity sin. As with some of the other persons mentioned in the book, I too bristled when he had the nerve to state that the primary cause of depression was self pity. WHAT NERVE I thought and promptly after a few more painful attempts to continue reading skipped that chapter (yes I did). In fact, I got so annoyed that I put the book down but had to stop and think: Why was this bothering me so much? It’s one thing to disagree, but to become so annoyed warranted further examination.