Mental Health Check

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 failures & unknowns 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 Why ? Because our mental health is crucial - it gives us life over destruction - joy over hopelessness - love over fear.

#breakthestigma 
#talkaboutit

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