If you're in a mental battle, if you fight mental illness daily, know that you are not alone. There is help and there is hope. I have fought depression and anxiety issues since I was a teenager. I am 41 years old now. I've been hospitalized for it. I'm under the care both of a psychiatrist and therapist. I have to stay on top of my meds as they have to be adjusted from time to time. Chemical imbalances are a real thing. My heart breaks for people who fight mental issues without a listening ear or understanding from someone else, especially the church community. I am thankful for a praying and supportive church. A safe and non-judgemental place; they do exist. Yet, I've been on the other side of that where I've faced judgement from the church (previous ones I've attended). It's not pretty or fun. No one deserves that. I pray and understand.
However, in the biblical days those with demonic spirits would often be tormented with depression and anxiety and thoughts of despair that it would cause them to cut themselves with rocks and harm themselves. They were tormented night and day yet there wasn't a chemical imbalance so to speak. It speaks in Mark chapter 5 when Jesus healed a possessed man, he likely had been tormented with these spirits and if they entered into another person they would likely kill themselves so He commanded them to be cast in the pigs and they drown themselves in the sea when the unclean spirits entered them. It was the same type spirit that came upon Elijah in which he wanted to go kill himself too. I have had tests. I have a chemical imbalance. A lot of days it's a fight to even get out of bed, or I have days when I don't get out of bed. I'm thankful God has helped me thus far and continues to help me. I would've given up years ago if it wasn't for the prayers and me seeking help. But there are demonic spirits too, that will cause oppression and depression to rest upon people as well and there is no imbalance whatsoever. It's just the spirit that strives to torment. It's spirtiual warfare. I've fought the spirit of oppression more than once in my life, and I knew it was straight from the pits of hell and had nothing to do with my condition. I had to position myself and fight and praise my way out of it. Only God could help me be delivered from that in my mind. I want to remind you that God cares. He cares about the small things, the big things, and everything in between. So much evil is going on in the world... yet, I feel His love, comfort, and peace now more than ever. He's my shelter in a time of storm. Whatever you are facing right now, big or small, God cares and He is here for you. Don't be afraid to step out in faith and ask Him to move on your behalf! He's waiting on you to move and make the first step! Don't delay! Don't let the lies of the enemy get louder than the promises of God! Don't sit in the corner and snack on satan's lies, when you can sit at the table and feast on God's precious promises! God's here with open arms full of mercy and grace; healing and strength; victory and peace! You've got this and God has you, He has you in the palm of His hand where you're most secure.
Part of Isaiah 51:16 says, "I have hidden you in the hollow of My hand"....that means you're in the palm of God's hand where you're most protected. It's in the hollow of His hand where I feel most secure and at peace when the overwhelmness of life surrounds me. Singing today, "I know the Peacespeaker. I know Him by name. I know the Peacespeaker. He controls the winds and waves. When He says, 'Peace, be still'. They have to obey. I'm glad I know the Peacespeaker. Yes, I know Him by name."
"Who can satisfy?" • This song has been on my heart for weeks now. The lyrics have brought much comfort to me during a time of fully processing and letting go of things that the enemy only strives for me to think on that, in turn, causes emotional stress that leads to sicknesses. I know about anxiety. I know about sleepless nights. I know about depression. I know about sickness. I know about hurt. I know about mistakes. I know about betrayal. I know about grief. I know about worry. But you want to know what else I know? I know the only One who can truly satisfy my soul, comfort and love me like no other. He has proven Himself time and time again to me. He's saved me. Forgiven me. Cleansed me. Sanctified me. Loved me. Healed me. Delivered me. Strengthened me. Sustained me. Comforted me. Helped me. Guided me. Protected me. Over and over. Again and again He's faithful to me. He will continue to do so. Sunday night I truly felt Him healing my heart of much disappointment and trauma I've experienced from several months ago. But at the end of the day, we have to press forward. We have to leave it behind. We have to learn from it and let things go. So Sunday, in the midst of the struggle, I found myself encouraging others and praying for others at the nursing home and during Sunday night service, and God begin to move. The Holy Spirit truly brought peace of mind to me. He brought comfort to me, in my time of distress. If we get the focus off of us, oh yes things start to change. How I praise Him!
Lyrics to song:
Verse - "Who can satisfy my soul like You? Who on earth could comfort me and love me like You do? Who could ever be more faithful and true? I will trust in You, I will trust in You, my God! Chorus - There is a Fountain, Who is a King. Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything. My Rock, my Shelter, my very own. Blessed Redeemer who reigns upon the throne. Bridge - Who could ever be more faithful and true? Lord, Jesus, Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, none but You!"
Link to the song: Who Can Satisfy?
I am praying for you, if you're in this battle. God loves you. He cares for you. Keep going. Keep fighting and pushing through. You matter.
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