I don't know about you, but sometimes I let my current circumstances pour over into my faith. This has a way of making my faith falter at times. I want a FIRM FOUNDATION kind of faith that doesn't get weak in the knees at the sight of conflict.
Twenty-twenty has been a ridiculously hard year for many of us. Financial problems, bankruptcies, job issues, marital conflicts, sick family, increase in suicide. Everyone is touched by 2020 in some way.
Has 2020 made you lose faith? Or has it forced you to grow in your faith? I am in the latter category. Metaphorically, 2020 has felt like a year-long spin class and my legs are jelly. How is it that I can keep going when life hurts so badly? What does it look like to keep pedaling?
For starters, I need to remember that I am not cycling in the trek of faith alone. I'm riding tandem with the Lord. There are days when I have no strength left in me to fight. No strength to pedal one more rotation. The Lord has carried me through some of the hardest days of my life this past year. Having struggled in the past with depression, it truly is amazing that I am still upright in light of how much I've endured this year. Without a doubt, God carried me through. But, I have my part to do as well.
There are some things that have fortified me on the hardest of days (in no particular order, they have all been life-savers).
- Worship Music. Praise and worship music has gotten me through some crazy hard days. When I focus my heart and mind on music that elevates the Lord it becomes harder to wallow in my own pain. Let me know if you need recommendations for music!
- Bible reading. I don't even want to think about where I would be without constantly filling my mind with the Promises of Scripture. For one, God has promised never to leave me or forsake me. In a year like 2020, we need to remind ourselves of that promise daily! Bible reading and prayer are essential parts of each day! Can I encourage you with your Bible reading? Just let me know how I can help.
- Essential Oils - I had a hysterectomy the first week of March which triggered a major pain flare-up. The pain was extraordinary, and after trying every pain management method that I had on hand, I had to expand my horizons. I enrolled with Young Living at the end of March. I was able to bring my pain under control with Panaway and the CBD muscle rub. In June, I added in NingXia Red as a 30-day challenge. The difference in my health was so profound that I just kept on taking 2oz every day. Since that time, I have added in oils for my mental health as well. I now use JOY and Inner Child every morning to start my day. And, I use Progessence to help me with my hormone health. Lastly, I added in CBD oil for anxiety. Send me a message if you want to know more about any of these aids to my wellness journey.
- Walking - One of my friends asked for accountability in her own health journey. She wanted to start walking a mile a day for 100 days. I said, "I'm in!" And I joined in her 100 miles in 100 days challenge. I am currently sitting at 91/100! But, I believe that - for me, all of the motivation in the world would not have been enough if I hadn't started the NingXia Red first. My body was depleted and completely drained, I had to get in some amazing nutrition before I could even walk one mile.
- Writing - My writing has not all been for public viewing lately. I write a lot and burn it (literally). It's been that kind of year. Journaling, blogging, Facebook posting. Pretty much any writing is good for my mental health. (One of my unexpected gifts this year was a new-to-me Chromebook. Someone gave it to us yesterday, that is why I am able to write a blog today!)
- Therapy - I started "talk therapy" this past summer. I knew I needed an unbiased outside aid to help me unravel the mess of thoughts in my head. Writing is great! Friends are great! But, the counselor is the missing piece to help me on my healing journey. We go to the doctor when we are sick, we go to a cardiologist if we need a heart specialist. Why shouldn't we also go to a counselor when we need to talk about the problems that we are facing that seem insurmountable on our own? Think of it as a different type of heart specialist. ;)
All of these things, plus the love and concern of friends, have gotten me through one of the hardest seasons of my life. I keep pedaling. How can I encourage you to keep pressing on? Send me an email at flutefelicity@aol.com
Are you interested in trying essential oils? I can help you out with that too. Follow this link to either enroll with Young Living or to place a retail order. To enroll, click "get started" and choose one of the great starter kits and future orders are at wholesale pricing! For a retail order, click "no thanks" and continue to the retail ordering page.
