Timshel: You Are Not Alone In This

As you have well heard by now, beloved actor Robin Williams took his own life two weeks ago. 

Such a tragic loss it was. Personally I have grown up watching his movies, enjoying the laughter and lightheartedness his characters bring. It was more than a shock when I read about it. One of the funniest men in hollywood struggling so much that he believed life not worth living anymore. 

Complete tragedy that broke hearts all over America. And yet, it has struck up conversations about suicide and mental illness that have been avoided like the plague for many years. 

One of the most common misconceptions of mental illness is that you can just get over it. Unfortunately, we can't just get over it. Robin Williams suffered for years, this was not new to him. Mental illness is not something that you go to the shrink, talk about your issues and go home cured. Though it does help learn to deal with the everyday struggle. 

Depression, Manic Tendencies, Anxiety, and the like are not curable. It is a daily battle within the mind that cripples us. Our own personal demons taunting and trying to pull us under the water we are already treading. 

This is something that will never go away, because satan is still ruling this earth. Those voices you hear, telling you lifes not worth this pain, that no one loves you, and that you are all alone are from satan trying to pull you away from Christ. Because Christ brings HOPE which brings Joy.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; 

weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

Some days are easier than others, and the others can be bleak or just down right dark. 

I received my current Bible in 2001, when I was 11 years old. Flip back to the subject guide and you'll see Faith, Family, Forgiveness, and Suicide all circled. I don't remember when it started, whether my parents divorce 5 years earlier or around the time that I received the Bible, but I do remember always struggling with depression and anxiety.

There were times in my past when I believed that my life was not worth living. I realize now that those times were when I was the most isolated and distant from Christ. 

"Satan uses isolation to cut us off from wisdom that multiple perspectives bring. We need a community around us to help us with things we do not see on our own." 

-The Amish: Shunned

The less time I spend in Gods word soaking up his life, joy and hope giving promises, the more isolated and depressed I become. 

Why am I baring my soul, my dark past and daily struggles? Because it needs to be talked about, and acknowledged so that others will know that they aren't the only ones struggling. In order to not let it overcome us we need to know that we are not doing this on our own. We need to be in our Bibles daily and even more so during our struggles so that we may be filled with Hope and Joy as we trust in him and his plan.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

God is with us, and the people who love us are with us. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, 

for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

We can not fight this fight on our own, we have to help each other. 

My husband is an amazing example. When he sees me trying to isolate myself or to shut myself off from the rest of the world, not only does he give me a safe place to speak but he stops me from isolating myself. He makes me go outside, run errands or play outside with our son despite how I may be feeling. Yes, most of the times its a fight to make me go, but it does help. He may not truly understand everything that I go through, but he's there for me holding my hand the whole way. 

After years of struggling, do I still struggle? 

Absolutely, but I now have hope, a supportive family and a God who loves me, to live for and to lean on. And because I am in my Bible daily and praying constantly, those voices are now few and far between. When they do try to convince me that life isn't worth living, I look at everything God has given me and I make a choice to deny what the voices in my head are saying. I cry out to Jesus in my time of need and I am comforted by his everlasting love and life giving hope.

 And those voices dissipate. 

Which is why Timshel by Mumford & Sons touched me so much. It reminds me, that I am not alone in this and neither are you. 

We must remember that Christ was tempted by satan just like satan tempts us by using his words. So we must resist his words with Scripture, just like Christ did. Matthew 4:1-11. Memorize it, have it on our hearts daily so that we maybe able to resist satins ploys. 

If you are struggling right now, going through something that you don't think you will ever overcome, 

You need to know that you are not alone in this. 

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But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand
Hold your hand

And I will tell the night
Whisper, "Lose your sight"
But I can't move the mountains for you

We may have to move the mountain by ourselves, but we need to make the choice to reach out our hands to those most dear to us. And during those dark times we need to remember we have God, our loved ones and other sufferers holding our hands the whole way.

You are not alone in this. 

We can fight and overcome it: 

hand in hand, day by day.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

photo credit: European Parliament via photopin cc photo credit: DonMiller_ToGo via photopin cc