How have you gone about addressing mental health challenges of your own and what support, and informal or formal assistance truly helped you overcome them? (Perhaps share an experience about how you used the resources and ideas in this lesson to overcome mental health challenges.) | What routines, activities, or processes would you recommend to others to maintain optimal mental health? Describe these and how they have helped you enjoy shalom in your life.

[Austin]

I am on medication, which I assume helps me. I am actually afraid to quit taking it because I don’t want to go back to where I was. I try to change my thinking when I start to get depressed, no negative thoughts think of something to get my mind off what is depressing me or giving me anxiety. Listen to music. Our daily bread has an app that you can listen to before going to sleep.

[Austin]

I have addressed and continue to address my own mental health challenges by engaging in weekly therapy, surrounding myself with a circle of safe friends and talking freely about my challenges with them. I found maintaining a consistent daily routine, sleep hygiene, physical exercise, gardening and connecting with others healing. Most importantly consistently connecting with God through prayer, scripture, journaling and His people have been quite supportive.

[Austin]

Your approach seems holistic and very helpful

[Austin]

I am in a leadership position at my church and at work and sometimes the challenges that I face are a bit exhausting and I find myself neglecting certain things because I become mentally exhausted especially when others expect to much from me.

[Austin]

There was a time when church leadership in one particular department was insanely tyrannical, such that it was difficult not to offend him/them. Even though I resigned and kept quiet about it, the man in question then circulated gossip about something which I absolutely did not do. I remember that I was quite down during that season, although it did not amount to clinical depression by the definition of DSM-5.

It was mainly my wife who was wary to keep my thinking, my inner beliefs and my moods in check. She even booked a trip to Langkawi Island to try to brighten my mood. Although an escapade like that will not solve the problem, I appreciate her efforts.

Because I was familiar with David Burns’ book on Feeling Good, I was able to navigate myself to avoid the ten cognitive distortions and self-talk myself to healthy thinking.

#mentalhealth

[Austin]

I began having panic attacks 50 years ago when my father was fighting cancer. A church friend told me to get medical help as I would if I had diabetes or any illness. I did. That helped a lot. Unfortunately, I did not enter a counseling program. I tried all kinds of relaxation techniques, but they weren’t significantly helpful. Today, peace comes to me through personal reading, journaling, and meditating on God’s Word. This is more than devotional books, more than 15 to 20 minutes. My advice is to get medical help – short-term if possible, simplify your life, get counseling to form healthy thought patterns and to know your triggers, and spend time alone with God, always submitting to Him.

[Austin]

so touched by your testimony..

[Austin]

Thank you for sharing your testimony with us. Finding refuge under His wing and engaging in therapy brings healing to our soul.

[Austin]

I believe the foundation for addressing mental health challenges is daily bible reading and prayer. I do not mean a legalistic approach that says I must read 2 or 5 chapters a day and spend 30 minutes in prayer. I mean to establish a habit of starting your day with the Lord. I think an organized approach to Bible study is helpful because that keeps us focused on the scripture in context. But it’s not to be a legalistic burden. It’s to be a time of resting in the presence of our loving Lord.

Maybe you don’t feel like doing it. Maybe the words don’t come. That’s why I keep a devotional book on hand. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to read a short devotional and the usual accompanying verse or two of scripture. But sometimes this 5 minutes gives us the strength and encouragement we need to call on the Lord.

[Austin]

I do agree. Daily devotionals have been a helpful guide for me over the years as well. Keeps my focus on the Lord and His precepts and perfect will for my life. Absolutely.

[Austin]

Yes, not a have to duty, a privilege to meet with God.