Tag: Encourage

Mental Health

Today’s a new day! This morning I want to discuss a tough issue for many in the Christian community. Mental Health. Unfortunately, many believers have made it difficult for those dealing with mental health issues to share and get the help they need.

Mental health issues can still be a highly stigmatized topic in the church. Although many Believers know the trial of occasional anxiety or having the blues, people with a diagnosed mental illness face unique challenges. Some our confronted by Christians who espouse false doctrine that health issues are a sign of unresolved sin or lack of faith. This is a big Lie!

I want to encourage anyone dealing with mental health issues or any health issue to get the necessary medical care you need. There is nothing wrong with taking medications, having a therapist and loving Jesus all at the same time. There should be no shame or condemnation.

The same biblical truths that have encouraged Christians for centuries can encourage those who suffer with mental health today. I pray those walking through the trials of mental health will cling on to these words of encouragement.

  1. You Are Not Alone
    God’s people have suffered—mentally, emotionally, and physically—since the fall in the garden. Even Jesus cried out in despair on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46), When we suffer, we are never alone. Never be afraid to reach out for help. Speaking openly about your mental health issues allows those around you to share their own struggles. This allows us to come together and care for one another.

2). Stop Blaming Yourself. Also stop listening to those who may try to put a spiritual guilt trip on you. Mental health issues are not a punishment for sin or lack of faith. As you walk through this journey, I encourage you to keep your eyes on God. He has some amazing plans for your life. Keep leaning into that beautiful promise.

3). Remember, God sees you, loves you and is always with you. Thankfully we have a wonderful Savior who experiences emotions. As you walk through effects of mental illness, remember the nearness of Christ. He weeps with you. God knows how He is going to work in and through each of our lives and is with us in the midst of it. By the amazing grace of God, he sent the Holy Spirit, our comforter and counselor, to be with you, to help you. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:27). He is there for us when we do not have the words.

4). God’s Word Speaks to us.
The word of God isn’t afraid to talk about mental and emotional issues.
Keep the truth of God’s words close. Share them with a close friend, family member, or accountability partner who can remind you when you forget or when you don’t have the energy or willpower to remind yourself.

The truth is some will deal with mental health issues for a lifetime. But remember, we can all rejoice in the greatness and sovereignty of our loving Savior. I pray that God will make known his strength in our struggles. ~OC

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Overcoming

Today’s a new day! Whatever has power over you is becoming powerless. Chains are being broken. Strongholds released. God is freeing you, so you can experience His peace, love, healing and purpose in every area of your your life. ~OC

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Keep Dancing

Today’s a new day! I hope you wake up with a dream in your heart and a sense of excitement about a new day. A new adventure. May you never take a day for granted. May you embrace every breath. Take in every moment. May you always fill loved and never take it for granted. May your life be filled with laughter and tears. Both are healing. I pray when given a chance to be a difference maker, you grab hold and run with it. Never be afraid to shake things up a little. I pray you never give up when life gets hard. I pray when given a chance to quit, you make the choice to dance. I pray you never fear those raging waves in the distance. They will eventually calm and be filled with amazing lessons. Keep dancing during the storms of life. Who wants to look back and regret not taking a chance? A chance on love. A chance on friendship. A chance on making amazing memories. A chance on living a crazy beautiful adventure. I pray you keep on dreaming and dancing. Give your dreams more than a fleeting glance. Never lose your sense of wonder and adventure. Keep dancing. ~OC

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Power of Hope

When we wake up and are still facing the storms of life, we need to reach up to God and grab onto the hand of hope. The bigger the waves, the worries and troubles, the more the stage is set for God to move mightily in calming the waves. God cares about our storms.

One of the lessons God wants to teach us during the storms of life, is to fully trust in Him and not lose hope. Hope is a life changing word. No matter how many tears have filled the boat, how many prayers seemingly unanswered, or how fear grips us there is hope. We can cling into that hope during the worst storms. God will always be by our side as the crashing waves try to take us out. Plant your feet in the beautiful hope of God. ~OC

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Not Reality

Hello. This is something God put on my heart.

We have allowed many things to catch our eyes. They are bright and shiny, but are never what they claim to be. We hold them tight, only to see them disappear into the night. They are not real. Just pretty fantasies and not what they claim to be. They appear to be silver and gold, but that’s not reality. Just another fantasy. The shiny lights are just a dream. They were never reality. There just idols that will fade. They don’t have the power to save. Just a box of shiny bright things. Don’t allow yourself to get lost in that fantasy. Only one person can save us and that’s the King of Kings. Unfortunately, some people like to make the true King bright and shiny, but that’s far from reality. You see, the true King was born in a simple cave. That was far from the bling of the man made kings of the day. They were just living in a fantasy. Not much different than today’s man made kings. The idols of success and closet full of shiny bling ain’t gonna, no ain’t gonna save us. There just another fantasy. Only the King of Kings can turn that fantasy island into a place of eternity. Our only hope is in the King of Kings. Look up and shout out to the true King. Look up and shout out to the true King. He can turn your shiny fantasies of this world into the true reality of eternity. Look up and shout out to the true King of Kings. He’s holding out his hand waiting to welcome you into eternity. ~OC

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Waiting

Waiting. For most of us, waiting is not one of our favorite things. What do you do when life finds you in a state of waiting? When all we can do is wait. Waiting on test results. Waiting on a relationship to be mended. Waiting for a breakthrough. Waiting for a sign from God that it will not always be like this… waiting can be taxing, discouraging and deflating. Waiting can cause us to question our faith. To question God.

But what if waiting is the season God is using to grow us? That there is purpose behind the waiting. God wants us whole and He wants us free, and He will often take us on a journey of discovery before we get to the fulfillment of what we hope for. God has your back and He wants what is best for you. God is for you and will not forsake you, even in the middle of your biggest storm. Even during the waiting. ~OC

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Dear God

Dear God, all the elements of nature obey your command. We pray this morning that you would calm Hurricane Ida. Turn this massive storm into a small thunderstorm. Fill the residents in the eye of this storm with your amazing peace. Keep them safe. Grant this prayer request through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. ~OC

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Thank You!

Today’s a new day! Most of you know about my crazy beautiful health journey. For almost 18 years, I spent the majority of my life at Good Samaritan Medical Center on 4 South. Those years were not easy, but I was blessed with an amazing medical team. The Doctors, Nurses, CNA’s, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Admissions, Food Service, Tech’s, Transport and Administration became family. We spent many holidays and Super Bowls together. Each of these wonderful. amazing heroes made the tough days easier for Laura West Shoemaker and I.

As we watch this new Covid wave come through, I am concerned for my friends in the healthcare profession. I pray for them and check on them often. I encourage everyone to keep our healthcare workers in your prayers. Their job was difficult before Covid, but this horrible virus has put more of a strain on each of them. If you or a family member find yourselves in the hospital, please show these beautiful heroes respect. These amazing people are there to help you and your loved one. They are actually putting their lives and the lives of their own families on the line to help you get back to your loved ones. So today, say a prayer for all the amazing healthcare workers and hospital/nursing home staff. If you know a healthcare worker take the time to thank them for their service. ~OC

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Position

Today’s a new day! Jesus positions us, not according to our preference, but according to His purpose. ~OC

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Blessings

Today’s a new day! Since the enemy cannot keep God from blessing you, he will try to keep you from living out the blessing that God has freely given you. ~OC

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