October 26, 2019
Hey y'all! Can you believe it is almost Halloween? I don’t know about you but this is one of my favorite times of the year besides for Christmas and Easter. I love Halloween because you get to dress up and be whomever you want. I always try to make my costume express who I really am. Like this year, I made my costume and I am going to be something that really shows who I am. I am so excited and I hope that you are too. Now for the good stuff, how have you really been? I know for my, I have kind of been struggling with comparing myself. Not comparing my body image or even my personality, but more of comparing my school grades. I feel like because of last year when I was in treatment I did not get as much school as I should have. Although I 100% understand why, I wish that I didn’t blame myself for this happening because ultimately it was not my choice. Mental illness is not something that you cause; it has to do with many different things. This year since I have been doing online school, I feel that I am getting a much better education than last year so that is a positive. So, it is time that I need to stop comparing myself to everybody else and focus on who God calls me to be.
Comparison is something that I believe everyone experiences at some point in their life. Whether it is comparing your athletics, grades, popularity, body image, etc. We all have been there before. But comparing yourself to another is something that God does not want for us. He wants us to be happy with who we are. In Romans 12:6 God calls us to go out and be who he created us to be, without trying to add up to another person. Also, if you read James 1:16 the Lord makes us aware that comparison is of jealousy and selfishness. Which both of those things are not what He calls us to have. If you really think about it, when you try to change your academics, athletics, etc. That is like you do not think who God made you to be is enough. So don’t put all of set all of your characteristics on those which are of the earth because those are temporary, but instead think about all things awaiting us in Heaven which will forever be with us.
October 20, 2019
Hey! I have been waiting for today all week. I am actually posting on a Sunday because I was gone yesterday and did not bring my computer with me. I hope you all are doing well and are looking forward to this weeks post. I know I am because this week we are going to be talking about being a child of God. This is one of my favorite things to think about, because it's hard for me to even put into perspective that I am a child on the Creator, of the Lord himself, of the Almighty King. I mean can you believe that you belong to God? The man who created this earth and everything around you. Therefore, there is no reason to be ashamed. I don't know about you, but I will often times find myself looking down upon my body, my personality, or sometimes even my relationships with my family and friends. However all of this negative thinking is not from the Lord, it is from the devil, who wants us to look down upon God and who He created. So, it is time for us to accept ourselves for who God created us to be and live our lives here on earth glorifying Him. In 1 John 3:2 the Bible says that we are His children, therefore we are to be and act like Him. Don't let the things or people of the "world" change who you are. You are unique in your own way and that is exactly how God intended it to be. Read 1 Peter 2:9, the Lord wants us to stand out.
Next time that someone makes an comment, or maybe you start to doubt yourself about anything, remember that no matter what God loves you. And there is nothing you can do to change His love for you. You are one of His children, He loves you just the way you are. Psalms 136:1 tells us that His love will be with us forever and always.
I love you all so much and hope that by reading my story you have been able to benefit. So far I have sent out 17 boxes with two more going out tomorrow. But, I know there are more people who need one. So whether it is you or someone you know, all you have to do is fill out a B3 Box form. Also, if you would like a BBB bracelet email or message me on social media and I will be sure to get them to you. I can't wait to see you all next week and I am praying for each of you daily.
October 12, 2019
Hi everyone! I was not able to update last week because I was on vacation for Fall Break. But, I am back at it this week and hopefully for all that follow. I was very nervous about this week of vacation because I was not going to be in my "element." I was thrown off schedule as far what I do everyday. However now that I think about it, it was very good for me because I needed to challenge my OCD. While it was kind of hard at first to fight the compulsive thoughts, I used different coping skills I have learned in counseling to push through. Sometimes I had to separate the disordered thoughts and the real thoughts, and I had to remind my brain that I was with my family, in a safe place, and there was nothing to worry about. And other times, I prayed and asked the Lord to take this worry away from me and to bring me peace and comfort.
This is going to sound kind of funny, but I am extremely afraid of sharks. I don't know if it is because of all the "I Was Prey" that I watch on TV or if it is all of the stories I have read about shark attacks online. But whatever it is, sharks terrify me. Anyways, the point of me telling you this is because my brother and sister had wanted to go snorkeling since the time we arrived in Key West. Whenever they brought up snorkeling all I could think about was sharks. From past experience, I knew that the only way I was going to defeat this made up conception that I had was to challenge it. So, I jumped into the ocean snorkel and all. It wasn't until I looked down into the water that all of the worry and anxiety I was having went away. I saw all kinds of things under the water and all I could think about was how God created each and every one of the animals I was seeing. It was amazing. Just think, if I wouldn't of gotten into the water, I would have missed out on all of the amazing things I saw.
All of this to be said that the only way to defeat a thought you have is to tackle it head on. Don't let your worries and anxieties to steal you from enjoying life. There is so much more hope, so much more life on the other side of anxiety. We must fight it. All anxiety and worry is cast upon us from the devil. Don't let it control you, the Lord is in control. Put your trust in Him and He WILL carry you through.
Isaiah 41:10 Do not be afraid for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand . I love all of you and remember if you ever need anything, email me.