Lying awake at night for hours on end, I find myself wondering when I will be able to sleep through the night again. You see anxious thoughts have a way of keeping your mind awake through the night. My mind wasn’t always a jumbled mess, but grief has a funny way of knocking the peace out of you. There were days when worrying was the last thing on my mind, but lately, it’s consumed my existence. I should know better, with my religious background the worries in my head should all melt away isn’t that what scripture says?
Philippians 4:6-7 reads: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Trust me that scripture replays in my head every time I’m plagued by an episode of anxiety. I try to remember that God loves me and won’t put more on me than I can bear, but sometimes it’s unbearable. At times my thoughts are more powerful than my faith. I try to focus on today and let tomorrow workout itself. After all the Bible illustrated it perfectly in Matthew 6:34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If that be true why can’t my mind digest it? Why can’t I see past my pain? At times I wonder if I will ever be the same? Two years ago I was living a beautifully orchestrated life with God at the forefront. I had not a worry in the world. Then an accident claimed the life of my best friend and three other friends. Guilt-stricken, I didn’t understand why out of all the trips we’d taken I decided not to go on this one. Was it something that made my life more special then their’s that they can’t still be here? No! They were the epitome of all that life stood for. They put others before themselves, they saw the best in every living thing, it’s mind-boggling. Beware life can change in an instance.
One moment my life is perfect then next perfection is merely a facade. Just when I thought I’d had enough pain at once, my aunt passed unexpectedly. Racking my brain for answers to life’s uncertainties only made my anxiety worse. At this point I know it can’t get any better, months later I got wind that my grandpa passed from medically-related complications.
At this point, that’s when numbness settled in. I tried to smile through the pain but couldn’t manage. I said all my prayers and recited scriptures, but the faith wasn’t there. Depression has a funny way of making you want to take a hiatus from existing. I think that’s what did my colleague in. Hearing the news of her untimely passing fueled my grief. I get it! Navigating through life with depression, anxiety, and PTSD is a daunting task. It was at this point that I realized I needed help!
In January, I began trauma therapy combined with low dose medicine and yoga. It was with a clear head that I cried out to God letting go of my anger. For two years, my pain deterred me from my purpose. To be frank, God and religion was the last thing on my mind. I’d go to church, but I wouldn’t listen. Now I see what God is doing, He turned my pain into purpose. So, today whatever has you mentally bound RELEASE it! It is okay to cry, but weeping endures for a night and joy comes in the morning. I’m not telling you what I heard, this is what I know.
Today’s Mantra: I will turn my pain into purpose!
A Peace of Ty 