I have written about mental health and in particular my struggles with depression before - in a post Time to Talk Day and a follow up post More Talk.
This week I have felt better than I have felt for months. The previous week in particular was a really down time. I am reluctant to share with people if I am in need because the ladies I trust to ‘have my back’ either have really busy lives or have problems they are dealing with. But by the Friday I was in the deepest hole ever and felt I was not only going to hit rock bottom but disappear into the sludge beneath the rock. Not that I told anyone that. I did however message four friends to ask for prayer. They sent me lovely messages of support.
On the way to church I was thinking about life in general and the verse ‘without vision the people perish’. I was wondering why I do art and textiles, why I bother to run the Jubilee Studio, what was the point of getting up in the morning etc. During the preach, our guest speaker talked about living with a greater sense of our value, dignity and purpose.
During the meeting I was able to talk to people about the depression and lack of refreshing sleep - often getting up more tired than the night before. People prayed with me. During the coffee time afterwards a friend gave me a card and a present.
What timing! She hadn't known anything about my struggles.
If you are a Believer, don't doubt how important your prayers, chats and encouragement is.
If you are not a Believer, don't doubt how important your chats and encouragement are.
Either way, send cards, give gifts, smile, listen.
World Mental Health Day saw the release of this video.
Keep talking. Keep listening.
Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice
