Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Just a little short blog today…
My heart has been breaking hearing about more suicides in the news and even one we had here locally, so I had some things I needed to get off of my chest!
I remember the character of the Joker from Batman. The Joker always had a painted on smile on his face to hide from everyone else what he looked like. He wore a “mask” because not only his face was disfigured, but his past and things that happened also tormented him. I believe that people who are grieving and or going through depression live life through a masked face. I am sad to say that this was true for myself. I managed well to maintain my facade.
A Facade is an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or credible reality.
This picture was from February 2017. My heart was absolutely broken into a million pieces and I did not know how I was going to hold it together! I wanted it all to end. The pain, the sorrow, and the grief, it all had to go!
This picture was taken a few days ago. I am happy, healing, mentally healthy. I am discovering who I am and who God is calling me to be.
If I did not give you caption to describe what was going in with me… would you have known by my pictures?
Did you know when you ran into me at the commissary, PX, or Walmart.
Did you know when you talked to me on the phone or chatted through Facebook or text?
I am not sure if my daughters knew how low I was sinking into the darkness.
Mental illness, Depression, grief, anxiety, and any other title you want to give it has no face! It has no type, class, race, or religion. It does not favor one person over another. It just devours!
It seeks to kill, steal, and destroy!
Sounds familiar…
Trust me; you cannot fight it on your own. I needed GOD, and yes, I needed prayer! God promised me “I would have life and have it in its fullest!” I also needed someone to help me navigate my spiraling emotional downfall.
I prayed to God for help and he led me to an awesome therapist. Read more in https://wordpress.com/post/blessinginthestorm.com/397
This issue has to be addressed in the African American community. This is a stigma that is hurting us. How many time have we heard “we don’t tell our business” “what happens in this house, stays in this house”. “We can just pray it away.” These comments and others similar are killing our communities! STOP IT!!
NOW…
Don’t ever get me wrong or get it twisted! I am first and foremost a Christian and I believe strongly in prayer and that prayer changes things.
So Yes, pray!
However, you have to pray for God to lead you to a Mental Health Professional that HE has equipped to help you!
Suicide is preventable but unfortunately, when I was dealing with the emotional and mental issues that go along with depression I was not able to pray these feelings away. My head was not clear enough to pray or listen to what God has to say!
Encourage your family to seek help! Seek help for yourselves!
To those of us that are suffering in silence… DON’T! You do not have to do this alone! Find a family member, friend, or a coworker, who will help you get to the proper resources that are out there.
To those of us that are seeing a therapist, we do not have to be hush, hush about it. If we are expected to help others, how can they relate to us if we are ashamed and hiding the fact that we needed therapy. People need to know that seeing a therapist is not a bad thing, and you are not weak for seeking help. In actuality, you are STRONG because you recognize there is an issue.
I personally think EVERYONE should have a consultation with a therapist! I see one on a regular basis and I AM PROUD OF IT!! If GOD had not led me to the right one… I would not be here today!
THANK YOU JESUS!!
IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY!!
#STOPTHESTIGMA
#youcanprayandstillseekhelp
I love you all!
Have and Amazingly Blessed Night!
Blessing in the Storm 