Something I’ve Noticed
Part of me wants to apologize for the abundance of personal posts lately, but no one has complained and people are still reading, so I guess they’re not as tiring as I thought they could become. Mental and emotional health is such an integral part of my own life, and I try to make sure that people know I’m not ashamed of my mental and emotional health struggles so that my readers, both new and old, might one day become more comfortable sharing their own struggles with those around them.
In the past six weeks, I have had a few friends tell me that they’re noticing something different going on with me. Normally this would make me feel weird (as I wouldn’t know what they were talking about) but this time, I know exactly what the deal is. Six weeks ago I started attending church regularly again. There have been a few Sundays that I’ve missed, but it’s only been because I’ve been out of town or volunteering with Special Olympics (which I’m pretty sure that the Lord is okay with). I have felt better about everything since joining a church again.
When I am anxious, I’ve been able to pull out Matthew 6:25-27: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Not me, I can’t add anything to my life by worry. Two nights this week, intense panic feelings have been staved by the reading, re-reading, and re-reading aloud of this verse.
Making new friends within a church, hearing encouraging messages weekly, knowing that I have a place to turn to in times of darkness, and a general feeling of re-connection have really helped my life lately. People are starting to notice, and I have been so aware and thankful of the reason why. Little things have been amazing to me - the leaves blowing madly around the quad, people smiling at me as they walk by, the smell of coffee, the sunshine on cold days - it’s all been so much to encourage me lately, and I’m happy about that.
mental & emotional health, Christianity, Matthew 6:25-27, the Bible, anxiety, panic attack remedy
October 29th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
That is such a wonderful passage. I need to keep it in close at hand as another reminder not to bother myself worrying.
I think you seem very happy despite how busy you are, and it definitely seems connected to your exploration of religion. I’m so glad for you.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
I wish I could make friends with a good clockmaker. I got all discombobulated by this whole daylight-savings thing, specifically when it is supposed to end. Right now all the clocks in my house say different times. So I have no idea what the real time is. The birds are no help.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:01 pm
[...] mom smartly told me that instead of picking my battles with people, I need to pick my battles with what I worry about. I did just that and STILL managed to do a-okay on the [...]