Courage To Rise Above

Thank you for visiting my blog for the upcoming book, "Courage To Rise Above."  I would like to share the first chapter with you.  I wrote this book to encourage those living with a mental illness to gain strength and wisdom from the Bible.  Faith and prayer are essential to emotional wholeness and healing in this daily walk. 

Chapter One:  Staying Positive in a Negative World

Many individuals find their own way of dealing with stress, conflict, and adversity.  Different approaches work for different personality types and habits.  My regular routine is to stay grounded by regular prayer and Bible devotions.  If I start my day off that way, it helps tremendously to be fresh for the day in attitude and focus.  The shelter of God’s love for you can be your constant refuge. 

Psalm 18:2  The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer,  My God is my Rock in whom I take Refuge.

A perfect example of this would be a lighthouse.  Imagine a stormy, rough ocean tide that is crashing into the side of a lighthouse.  The storms of life may seem like they are taking over your thoughts and your daily routine.  But if you are inside the lighthouse, the storms will not affect you.  Jesus Christ is the foundation.  He will hold onto you as you keep your life centered on him.

I surround myself with positive, Bible believing friends and family.  I don’t let negativity into that sphere of influence.  You must constantly challenge yourself to remember this.

By keeping your circle tightly knit together, you will eliminate the corrosion of a positive mental attitude and heart.

Sometimes negative friends must be let go completely.  You may need to restructure who you are spending time with.  Occasionally people just don’t understand mental illness, or have the energy or desire to keep up with you.  My sister once said I had a “roller coaster brain”.  She meant well, and was just frustrated with my thought patterns.  I was sick at the time and just wanted someone to listen to me.  But we can learn from those times and understand ourselves better.  I love my sister very much.  It’s just a perfect analogy that helped me grow.

I have a lot of drive and ambition.  When I am focused on something, I won’t quit until it’s completed.  Keeping a daily journal can track your feelings or daily activities so that you can reflect later.  My journal entries reflect some scriptures and outlook for the day.  Your doctor or therapist may suggest doing daily or weekly journaling.  It really can show patterns of emotions and good mental health without making it a menial task.  I find I am more focused and clear after writing things down.  Challenge yourself to start a notebook and keep it with you.

Children have a way of pulling you out of negativity, and putting a grin on your face for the day.  My nieces and nephew are always good at one liner jokes without even trying. 

They bring a lot of joy to my life. Most of my friends have children that are always saying funny things, too.

Volunteering can also bring you out of a boring routine.  Find an outlet where you can encourage someone else.  Your community service or church ministry will provide a practical and meaningful way for you to feel like you are making a difference for someone else. 

Psalm 34:18   The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3   He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 

Phillipians 4:8,9   Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.