I love this verse. I was prompted to recite this verse way back when my life took a crazy turning point in Okinawa, Japan. After my oldest son Aubrey was born (3 months old), my body started acting crazy. But wait...Let me retract a little during 2009. I moved to Okinawa in January, got pregnant in March, and lost my father (who was in Mexico) in June. A lot, huh...? Yes, I know. This is why God prompted me to seek His help in Christian counseling. At the time I was attending a church, Foster Gospel, which I loved. And sought the help of my chaplain and his wife. They were both such an instrument of hope and love not only for myself but for my family. Well, going back to my crazy body. I experienced postpartum depression--scary, right? Yes it was! According to webmd.com, Postpartum depression, is a serious illness and can occur after the first few months after child birth. Postpartum is caused by hormone changes in the body of a women after birth. The triggers can be several things but for me it was due to prolonged stress in my life (remember the 2009 events, phew!). My symptoms were many but for the most part immense amount of anxiety, hopelessness, and loss of concentration. Sometimes, I can't even fathom how I survived these dark days, most of my friends didn't even know this was going on with me. A lot of times I would stay up late or wake up crying, worried about the things that lingered in my thoughts. Thank God He was always there...He protected my home. He protected ME! Now, like I said before the only way I was able to deal with this was through lot's and lot's of Prayer, Christian Counseling, being and staying involved in bible study, and I did confide with a friend at least once a month (we were each others encourager, thanks my sweet friend). I also ventured into changing my diet, changing one's diet has to be the hardest part but it's so worth it. For me, it was eating less processed foods, less meats with hormones, more fruits and veggies and lot's of water. See a lot of people perceive that postpartum is just a phase or some clinical term that can be resolved through medication. But it is not so...It's real. It effects even the best of us, the women that have always just wanted to hold their precious child with all their hearts. The woman that has waited so long after a series of miscarriages, the woman like me--maybe like you too. I spoke about this issue to my pastor and I was upset that most of my memories during this time are only in pictures and small homemade movies. Because I was so entangled that I don't remember those great moments with my child. Maybe I made them because God knew and he wanted me to be able to look back at what I missed. He never wants us to loose our joy but we're are still human and things like this do happen. And He allowed it to happen to me but I know for a great purpose. Now, in Jesus name I am FREE. Therefore, this verse was brought forth in one of our sessions, my sweet chaplain reminded me that Jeremiah 29:11 was for ME. It was just for me and my cause. God was gonna bring REDEMPTION and HE DID! I can tell you this much it's been quite a road to recovery but God helped me through it and He can help you through your circumstance too.
These guidelines helped me:
1. Prayer: Seek ye first the kingdom of God and everything shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33, try to get up early or first thing when you wake up reach for the floor on your knees or better yet on your face--to PRAY!
"We pray in the morning to give the first stirrings of our minds to God. Before anything else, let the thought of God gladden you." St. Basin
3. Stay connected with God through His word. Calm my Anxious Heart was a great study during this time.
4. Change diet--the way we eat is very important...Healthy eating!
5. Reach out to friends, family, your husband for comfort but most of all reach out to at least one friend (that you know will understand, ask God to send someone in your life--He will!).
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