Editor’s Note: Last week Bonnie Kotler shared her perspective as a licensed therapist. This week, we will hear from the point of view of someone living and thriving with their mental health condition.
Do you sometimes feel that society pushes us to have it all together all the time? I often feel like there isn’t space sometimes to sit with my questions and emotions; to be curious with my doubts; wrestle with my depression. When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 30 years ago, I began a journey. Since I do I have a diagnosis, I, like some of you, need to decipher when what is going on is clinical or situational.
But sometimes, particularly when what I am feeling is not clinical, I have learned, it is alright to come and lay my emotions before God by trying a few strategies.
I have learned this key practice: sitting in solitude. Feeling the breath in my lungs, taking in a large inhale and letting it go feels so centering. It quiets my mind to allow God to speak to my heart. My Spiritual Director often reminds me this is the first and best place to go with how I feel: to bring it all before God. He is the master of the universe who is sovereign over my life and circumstances and can handle the troubles I am battling. I often want to call someone and figure it all out, but sitting in the presence of Jesus allows us to hear from Him and simply listen.
Another way I face my trials is to process with a journal. I write out my thoughts because sometimes living with them in my mind makes everything seem worse than it is. When the emotions take over I can put them on paper to process through what I need to truly work through and let go. These writings may be in the form of prayer or just working through thoughts as they come. When I do this, I often gain perspective that can help me move forward or at least live in that moment and seek God. But the yearning to fix it in my own strength and to strive for a perfect scenario is still there sometimes and I’ve found crying out in my writing to be so cathartic. I look back and see how God takes my trials and brings me closer to Him.
Another way of support that is important is seeking wise counsel. A trusted friend to walk through our troubles with is always such a means of feeling God’s love. You know who those friends are. You can go to them any time of the day or night and they stop for you and listen. Maybe they offer advice, but they are often there to just listen through your hurts and struggles. "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24 says. I do not take lightly the friends in my life over the years that have been that constant. They love me and point me to Jesus. Assure me that there is hope and that He is beside me. I don’t often need them to figure things out for me but having them by my side can sometimes be all I really needed.
I am one that always suggests having a therapist regardless of what you are going through. Due to circumstances in my life, my cadence is an appointment with mine about every other month. But depending on your needs, this may be a weekly or monthly. There is no shame in this. This professional care is integral for anyone with mental health conditions or those who are just going through a season of difficulty. I’d recommend to never discount therapy and when your depression or anxiety is so challenging that you are finding it difficult to function, they can guide you and offer the support needed.
There are layers of support I believe that we all need to build into our life, even if you’re not diagnosed with a mental health condition! You never know when you’ll face something for which you may need additional resources. God loves us so deeply and has equipped the body of Christ for a reason. He is at the center, but when I connect with the various members, I have never come away disappointed. We are made in His image, craving the presence of our Father in Heaven. May you find Him in the various avenues of life. He is always going before us.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER:
Susan Veenema and her husband, Jeremy, love exploring Chester County with their two older biological daughters and three adopted children. Susan has been in education for almost 20 years supporting children with disabilities and their families. She currently works at the Department of Education. One of her greatest joys is leading Thursday night women's Bible study and her couples community group. People are her passion. She loves to read, write and study everything from history to social sciences to the early church. You'll always find her trusty German Shorthaired Pointer by her side.