About This Blog

My blog shares my recovery journey from childhood abuse to living with mental illness. I've been involved in twelve step groups and therapy since 1982. I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1988. To the best of my ability, I have followed where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do. Maybe you'll find the hope and strength you need through what I write. Maybe you want to stop hurting yourself. Maybe you have a friend who needs help and can benefit from my story. I was newly disabled when I asked God this question: "What do you want me to do with my life?" I closed my eyes and paused for a few moments to still my mind. This is what I sensed from Him: "Amy, I want you to write your story to bring hope and healing to those who are still suffering." And that's exactly what I am doing!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Depression At It's Heaviest

There are days like today when it's a real battle to try and function without being properly medicated. I had to reschedule my appointment with my psychiatrist last week because I've been having problems with my wrists, possibly carpal tunnel.  I had a bad fall about six weeks ago so having this looked at was important.  I have a test next week and I'm hoping that this numbness will be identified so that it can be remedied.

But for the last five days my depression has been very difficult. Depression in it's manic state is never easy to manage.  I find the hardest part is keeping my mind from detaching from my body or the surroundings that I am in. What I mean is that it takes a lot of mental energy to do anything. From leaving the house to being afraid of a recurring bed wetting experience to remembering to take my medication to taking a shower and especially to deal with the fear that I'm never going to feel better until I get to heaven.  And choosing what foods to eat is even more difficult when I have no appetite or all I want to eat is junk food.

Some Christians, in my opinion, would say that I need to hang onto the joy of my salvation especially during a time like this. The thing is, I've never let go of the joy of my salvation.  My faith in my Father who loves me stays strong and I fight sometimes minute by minute to make sure that I keep myself safe. So what is one to do when she feels so vulnerable and even afraid of what's happening inside of her mind?

I hang onto the truth that in less than 72 hours I will be with my therapist and psychiatrist who can help make adjustments to my medication. I tell myself that I'm going to be with my small group at church tomorrow morning and hear from Beth Moore about a better way to understand Paul's teaching in first and second Thessalonians.  To remind myself that there is nothing happening to me that hasn't happened to any of God's people throughout the history of creation. He always provides a way out.

So during this time of trial, when I feel I am at my weakest, I reach up and grab onto the hand that created me, who knows me and loves me, and is going to provide health and healing for all areas of my life. And you can have that reassurance as well by coming into a relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ who not only died for our sins but taught us how to have a relationship with the Father.

And that my friends is the only relationship that really matters to me. He will show me the way. He will show you the way. His ways are higher than our ways. There will be joy in the morning.