Everyday Life
I have had the chance to reconnect with some old friends and make some new friends since I shared my story. Some have told me about their struggles, some just say thank you and others want to know how I live with a mental illness every day. It is really an easy decision- I don't do it by myself, or pretend I can do it by myself. It takes the support of my entire family and prayer and surrender to God to live life with this illness. My family has supported me from the day I was diagnosed. If I need anything, they never hesitate to step up. However, I am fully know that I would not be where I am today with my marriage, my children, my job and my relationships without my strong faith in God.
I am a firm believer that God has a plan for everyone, and he goes before us and knows our next steps. God knew when I was born that I was going to be diagnosed with a mental illness when I was 30 years old and only 7 months into my marriage. God knew I would carry that secret, shame and guilt in my heart for the next 5 1/2 years until I went on my Emmaus walk. You see, everyone at Emmaus is struggling with something- that is part of the reason why you are there. I won't go into details about my walk because the element of surprise is amazing and I hope you get to experience it for yourself one day. I left Emmaus with my heart open and my head held high. I know longer felt ashamed or guilty for having this illness. Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God's work is wonderful and we know that full well. God made me exactly how he wanted to me to be, and he chose me to walk this path. I decided when I left Emmaus to share my story with people besides my family and three best friends. I went to the ones who knew me the best, and I shared my struggles. It is amazing what the power of true friendship can do for your heart! I once worried that if my friends knew I had a mental illness they wouldn't be my friends anymore. Sean has been answering that for 9 years by saying, your true friends will still be your friends. He has been exactly right!
I am fortunate that a majority of my days are really good days. I still have days where I struggle, and I always repeat Philippians 4:8 in my mind- "Whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. That is what I think about to get me through the hard days. I think about my husband who has been a constant since day I was diagnosed. I think about my children and how they will grow up seeing their mama fight the good fight, and they will grow up being more accepting and loving to others regardless of their circumstances. Most of all I think about my God. The God who is in all things and hold all things together. The one who made me, and loves me and will never leave me. I laugh when people tell me God will never give you more than you can handle. Nowhere in the bible does it say that. God does give you more than you can handle, but he also gives you a way to get out. He gives you his love, his faith, his power and his strength to get over the obstacles you can't handle. I know that the devil wants nothing more than for me to be sick and let this illness beat me. Ephesians 6 tells us we have to suit up with the armor of God to defeat evil. That is exactly what I do. I dress myself in God's love, grace, faith, strength and power and walk I through life everyday knowing I can overcome this and I will beat this. Doctor's will tell you there is no cure for mental illness. Maybe they are right. I still believe that God is the great physician, and if it is his will he will cure me of my illness. He is fully capable. Until then, I will continue to fight the good fight with the weapons that God has given me.
Thanks for going on this journey with me! Happy Wednesday!
Many Blessings~
Susan
I am a firm believer that God has a plan for everyone, and he goes before us and knows our next steps. God knew when I was born that I was going to be diagnosed with a mental illness when I was 30 years old and only 7 months into my marriage. God knew I would carry that secret, shame and guilt in my heart for the next 5 1/2 years until I went on my Emmaus walk. You see, everyone at Emmaus is struggling with something- that is part of the reason why you are there. I won't go into details about my walk because the element of surprise is amazing and I hope you get to experience it for yourself one day. I left Emmaus with my heart open and my head held high. I know longer felt ashamed or guilty for having this illness. Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God's work is wonderful and we know that full well. God made me exactly how he wanted to me to be, and he chose me to walk this path. I decided when I left Emmaus to share my story with people besides my family and three best friends. I went to the ones who knew me the best, and I shared my struggles. It is amazing what the power of true friendship can do for your heart! I once worried that if my friends knew I had a mental illness they wouldn't be my friends anymore. Sean has been answering that for 9 years by saying, your true friends will still be your friends. He has been exactly right!
I am fortunate that a majority of my days are really good days. I still have days where I struggle, and I always repeat Philippians 4:8 in my mind- "Whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. That is what I think about to get me through the hard days. I think about my husband who has been a constant since day I was diagnosed. I think about my children and how they will grow up seeing their mama fight the good fight, and they will grow up being more accepting and loving to others regardless of their circumstances. Most of all I think about my God. The God who is in all things and hold all things together. The one who made me, and loves me and will never leave me. I laugh when people tell me God will never give you more than you can handle. Nowhere in the bible does it say that. God does give you more than you can handle, but he also gives you a way to get out. He gives you his love, his faith, his power and his strength to get over the obstacles you can't handle. I know that the devil wants nothing more than for me to be sick and let this illness beat me. Ephesians 6 tells us we have to suit up with the armor of God to defeat evil. That is exactly what I do. I dress myself in God's love, grace, faith, strength and power and walk I through life everyday knowing I can overcome this and I will beat this. Doctor's will tell you there is no cure for mental illness. Maybe they are right. I still believe that God is the great physician, and if it is his will he will cure me of my illness. He is fully capable. Until then, I will continue to fight the good fight with the weapons that God has given me.
Thanks for going on this journey with me! Happy Wednesday!
Many Blessings~
Susan
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