Mental health: Recognising the symptoms & dealing with the root cause.

Mental health: Recognising the symptoms & dealing with the root cause

Good morning beautiful people
I hope that this post meets you well? It is my prayer for you and your family members to continually encounter God’s peace during these trying times. Keep striving to draw closer to the King and continually aspire to deepen your relationship with Him! And remember you can do ALL things though Christ who strengthens you.

The great thing about being a believer is that even in the midst of hardships, one still has joy. This is because our circumstances should not determine wether we ‘feel’ joyful or not, as God is our continual source of joy! Last week we looked over the life of King David, and evidence shows that even though David experienced great hardships throughout his time on earth, he still lived a wonderful life. He achieved great accomplishments with the help and power of God! What made life worth living was his relationship with God, it kept him going. He had an awesome, authentic, transparent relationship with God. God even revealed glimpses of His salvation plan to David. Isn’t that just great? Having such a deep and intimate relationship with God to the point He calls you friend, and reveals His secrets to you (Once we give our lives to God by accepting His free gift of salvation we become friends of God). Honestly only a relationship with God can satisfy the desires of the human soul. That longing for love, and that desire to belong, can only be fulfilled in Christ alone.

So in life it’s important for one to have a balanced view on things. All will face ups and downs, and all will laugh and cry at times, but just because we face the occasional hiccup does not mean that life is not worth living. To be able to experience and encounter a brief moment of God’s love, is life in it’s self. God created us because He loves us (we are created for relationship), and died for us because He loves us. He created us to love, and to give love.

Psalm 90:10 ~ Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.

Romans 8:17-18 ~ “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
‭‭

Some symptoms of anxiety/fear/panic attacks.

-A racing heart (heart palpitations).
-Increased blood pressure.
-Stomach problems (digestion issues).
-Mood swings (easily irritable).
-Insomnia.
-Fatigue.
-Night sweats.
-Difficultly concentrating.
-Exhaustion.

Honestly stomach issues are FOR REAL people! I’m sure that many of you may be familiar with needing to use the toilet more often when you are nervous. Honestly your feelings/emotions can physically affect the way your body functions.

Isaiah 21:3-4 ~ My stomach aches and burns with pain. Sharp pangs of anguish are upon me, like those of a woman in labor. I grow faint when I hear what God is planning; I am too afraid to look. My mind reels and my heart races. I longed for evening to come, but now I am terrified of the dark.

One of the definitions of the word reel is ‘to be shaken by’. In life we may receive news that literally shakes us to the core. In the above passage one can note the physical effects which Isaiah experienced. This was a result of seeing a terrifying vision about Babylon’s disastrous future. But let us not live in constant dread remembering that God will NEVER abandon us.

So from last weeks poem one can gather that getting a lamp, and air diffuser did not erase the traumatic medical incidences witnessed. Such actions were just patching up the symptoms.

Taking action (Dealing with the root).

1. Identify the time and the place you are more likely to succumb to a panic attack: Is it at a specific time of the day? Are you at home or on public transport? Are you at work? Are you with a certain person or group of people? Are you in doors or outdoors? Identify triggers and stand guard. If you can identify any patterns, then you’ll be able to take action before the attacks happen. You can take action by setting appropriate protocols in place and by staying prayed up (watch and pray ~ Matthew 26:41). Also if you have any ornaments or images within your home that have links with idolatry that provoke/stimulate mind attacks remove them immediately. Anything that can set you off, even if it’s a photo remove it.

2. TALK ABOUT IT: The bible says that we should confess our sins to one another so that we will be healed(James 5:16). It’s healthy to talk about your concerns with other trusted individuals. It’s like lifting a heavy weight off your shoulders. It also helps quash the lie that you’re the only one struggling. When you open up it causes others to be honest too, as each person has their own cross to carry.

3. Seek help: Don’t be afraid to ask for support if you need it! Get into contact with your local citizens bureau, contact charities which help provide counselling, seek help from your local church, or get into contact with a Medical Doctor.

4. Find a healthy way to let of steam: Write, paint, draw, act, cook, bake, exercise, get a pet, socialise etc. These are just some ways in which one can help their mind relax.

5. Pray: PRAY ABOUT IT. During your quiet time with God you get the opportunity to pour out your heart before Him. In His presence you also get to receive comfort, counsel, wisdom, and peace. Being still helps us to clear our minds and reflect, because a lot of the time it’s very difficult to think straight when your emotions are raging.

6. Read the Bible: Reading God’s word enables us to discover the truth. And once we know the truth we will able to identify Satan’s lies and replace them with God’s promises. God’s word is a weapon of defence against Satan’s mind attacks.

7. Be thankful: Be grateful for all the wonderful blessings you have, and if you struggle to see the blessings ask God to help you see them.

Remember you’re not alone! Christ encountered hardships and grief, so He KNOWS exactly how it feels to hurt.

Isaiah 53:3 ~ He was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

From the above passage one can see that encountering grief was a familiar experience for Christ. Yes life can get tough at times but we must never forget that the Lord turns what the enemy intended for evil around for good. Through Christ’s suffering on the cross we receive salvation from sin and healing. God has the power to use your negative experience to help encourage and comfort those who are facing the same experience as you.

Isaiah 53:5 ~ But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Lastly remember that healing is a PROCESS, whereas miracles tend to occur instantly. Dealing with mind issues can be a very long process, so don’t give in or get frustrated about your healing taking time. Don’t rush God, have faith, and trust in His timing. Please do share what helps you get through trying moments as I believe we can all learn from one another

Today I’d like to leave you with lyrics from the chorus of a beautiful song written by Bill Gaither.

And because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives

God bless
Thanks for all your support and continue to stay safe.

Love from
Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart