Tag Archives: anxiety

~The Ocean Series~ Cast Your Line

I admit that I am not a person who has ever enjoyed fishing.  Walking along the beach many times, there seems to always be a fisherman or two casting their lines.  I watch them as they throw a long piece of filament out hoping to catch the “big one”. 

As I have traveled back from this road of panic, the Father has reminded me over and over how He has never left my side and never will. It has been quite humbling to open up about it and risk judgment. But in fact, I am to “cast my cares/anxieties on HIM, for He is watching over me carefully.”

So I can throw those awful things out far into the waters and Christ will receive them, He will carry them. He is for me, not against me.  

And that my friends is good news.  So now I stay close to shore or even on the walkway, but who knows, maybe someday I will be able to actually cast that line into the sea!

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

~The Ocean Series~ Clouds and Crashing Waves

The clouds roll in slowly and are overhead before you even know the darkness has descended.  You can feel the weight of the wave as it crashes upon you at the shore.  It is about to take you under.

Depression and Anxiety are very real.  This weekend I experienced one of the most frightening times of my life.  I had a full-blown panic attack.  I actually thought I was having a heart attack, due to my parents’ heart histories. Panic attacks can mimic the symptoms of heart attacks, so for the first time in 30 years, I visited the ER.

Due to a change from a name brand to its generic substitution, the chemical imbalance was not being controlled. I have been a mess.  Maybe my honesty will help someone.

 Even though I was not thinking clearly, I could feel the presence of my Savior.  He never left my side in my fear.  He gave me an inner peace that was present even as my ability to speak clearly was not.  I was going to be okay in one way or another.

God loves me, chemical imbalances and all.  And He loves you too! I will be back to my regular self soon. Well “regular” may be subjective..lol! 

Friend, don’t be afraid to ask for help. When I am in this state of incorrect medication, I get very anxious, forgetful and apologize for everything.  AND I feel like I have failed everyone, including God.  But that is not true!  It is a lie as is the thought that I am crazy! 

Get the help you need.  And don’t let those clouds overwhelm you…for the sun will break through and you will be able to dip your toes safely in the water without the fear of a crashing wave soon.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

A Young Man’s Courage

(Shared with permission from the author, 23 year old Brock Musoiu)

An incredibly courageous, articulate post by a young man that I don’t know personally, but do know his mother.  Brock allowed me to share this.

So, long post forthcoming, hopefully it’ll be of use to some of my audience on here. Some personal issues will be brought up, so if you want, keep scrolling. Many of you are aware of the dismal passing of Chester Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park.
Every 16 minutes or so, someone takes their own life, which intimately affects at LEAST 6 other people.
This past year, I have pondered upon the thought of things being easier, by making a permanent decision due to a temporary sort of problems. I called my mom when it got extremely serious, because I just felt so alone, abandoned and helpless. I have been struggling with very dark demons, but when I lightened my mom on the situation, we both broke down. I told some very close friends of the situation I was in, and they did the same.
What people don’t realize, is that everyone has their own demons, and almost everyone is willing, and would be more than happy to listen, and to help you if you are willing to let them.
After losing a very close friend very near and dear to my heart, I gave up. I didn’t see all of the people in front of me who truly cared for me, because I was so blinded by my own depression.
Mental illness is a topic that should be discussed much more regularly, without this negative stigma on it. For those of you who think mental illness it is not a disease, I strongly urge you to open your mind a bit, and do some research on the topic to enlighten yourself, it could just save a life.
As the reader, this is your job. Listen to people, reach out, be understanding, make yourself the best person you can be.
The ones reading this going through a hard time, you must realize that there are such good things in life, perhaps you just need some assistance in finding them. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Going up and asking for help with something you’re dealing with is one of the strongest things you can achieve mentally. This is something I struggled with drastically. Every year, over 34,000 people take their lives. That is a combination of brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, friends.
It doesn’t matter what you do in life, you can be a lead singer of one of the most talented bands, or you could be a 16 year old going through a hard time, misconceived with the thought that people don’t care for them. It affects everyone, and YOU matter. No matter what you’re going through, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s so good when you finally reach it.
I’ve never realized how much I meant to people until I allowed myself to see, and this goes for everyone. You may not see how important you are, but someone out there thinks the world of you.
It brings tears to my eyes seeing people struggle mentally, whether that be with yourself, with other people, or maybe your absence in the workplace, anything.
With all of the hate going on in the world, I urge you to hold your loved ones a little closer from now on.
Don’t ever take a day for granted, and don’t ever take anyone for granted. Life is an absolutely beautiful thing, so are all of the people around you.
If you see someone struggling, intervene. Be the person that you would be proud of.
You are not alone.
This is the suicide hotline. 1-800-273-8255
I love all of you guys.
Always remember, it’s okay to not be okay.
“Everything will be okay in the end, if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” -John Lennon.

Thank you dear Brock for sharing.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy