• To Start Your Day

    Forgiveness, a story 

    Published on 07-22-2010 09:00 AM  Number of Views: 2873 
    Categories:
    1. Mental Health Daily Inspirations

    We now have a new Ask a Chaplain area on our forums, come in for a visit.

    http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...FlowerPink.gif


    The Wall
    Author: Chaplain Susan Zipf AKA StormDancer
    http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Butterfly.gif


    I kneel before my Lord, bowing my head to the ground. He stands and walks to me. Stand He says. I look up at Him, and stand. Face to face with Jesus, fear, love, joy, and worship swirl through me, making me a little light-headed, and my gaze drops. He takes my chin and raises my face back up to Him. His look is so intense that I begin to shake a little. He moves my head this way, then that, examining me in the most minute detail. He looks deeply into my eyes, then bends close to me. I feel His beard tickle my cheek as He brings His mouth to my ear and whispers, Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. My eyes close as I make an effort to breath. He thinks I’m beautiful!! My eyes open again, and the love in His eyes makes me feel like I’m about to melt into a puddle. He smiles widely at the image.
    You wanted to ask Me for something, child, He reminds me.
    I nod shyly. “I want to be closer to You, Lord Jesus.”
    You are as close to Me as you are allowing yourself to be.
    My head tilts a little as I try to understand. “I have offered You everything, Lord. I have opened every door, asked You into every corner of my spirit.”
    There is one wall still between us, daughter. His Spirit touches that wall in my spirit, and my whole being, body and soul, shudders. http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c.../butterfly.gif
    “Lord,” I whisper, “I don’t know what’s behind that wall. But there is a terror there that could destroy me.”
    I cannot heal a wound that you will not offer Me, child. I see what is there, and I also see that you are ready to deal with the pain that’s there. You can’t let go of what you do not know you hold. This hidden pain has held you back long enough.
    Fear wells up in me, choking off any words. I glance around at the others in the room – angels and other servants of His – then back at Him. Understanding, He dismisses everyone, and we are alone. “Will You take the wall down, Lord?” I ask fearfully.
    No, child. You must do it. But I will be with you, and stay with you. You will not have to face it alone.
    I take a deep, shaky breath. “Show me how, Lord.”
    Close your eyes. Visualize that wall. I do, and even the visualization brings me terror. But He is here with me, and I trust Him to protect me. He places a finger on the upper part of my temple. Now, bring it down. As He slides His finger down my face, the wall sinks into nothing.
    The pain is excruciating. I cry out, and He gathers me into His arms, soothing me. It’s a lost memory of an abuse when I was only a child. “Why, Lord? Why did I have to remember this? Oh, God, it hurts! It hurts!” I sob.
    I know it hurts, little one. But it must be dealt with. Hold onto me. Let me help you, beloved. Go ahead and cry. I’ve got you, and I’ll never let you go.
    I hold onto Him for what seems like forever, until I have no more tears to cry. Now comes the anger. “Why did he hurt me like that, Lord? I loved him. He was like a father to me.” I look up at Him, angry with Him as well. “Why did You let that happen?”
    He sighs sadly. That man was given free will, just as you were, beloved. He used his free will to hurt you. To stop it would have taken away his ability to choose right and wrong, and to take it away from one, I must take it from all.
    I know He is right, but my anger will not be contained. I begin beating on His chest, verbalizing my hurt and rage in unintelligible groans and wordless cries. He just holds me and lets my anger run its course. Finally, exhausted, I collapse in His arms, clinging desperately to Him. His arms tighten around me, and the love in His embrace, even after my anger, comforts me. But I feel as if I have a hollow space in my heart – I am empty and numb inside.
    “I’m scared, Lord. Please, help me! Don’t let me go. I’m lost! I’m empty inside.” My whisper is frantic.
    You are not lost, child. You are in My arms, and I will never, ever let go. Let My strength be yours. Let My love fill you to overflowing.
    I feel His strength, His peace, flow into the empty space. When I am completely calm, He pulls away a little, looking into my eyes.
    Now comes the hard part. You must use your free will to forgive him.
    My eyes fly open wide, outraged. “Forgive? How can I forgive? I was a child! I didn’t do anything to deserve that abuse.”
    Look, child. See someone else who was abused without cause.
    He shows me a man, beaten so badly that he no longer even looks like a man. Blood runs down both legs from hideous gashes on his back. Blood cakes his beard and hair from wounds on his head, and both eyes are swollen nearly shut. His lip is bleeding from several cuts, and his nose has obviously been broken. Bruises cover his whole body to the point that it is difficult to tell even what race he is. If he is alive, there is no sign of it. I recoil in horror. “Surely he didn’t forgive so easily, Lord,” I whisper. http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Butterfly.gif
    It was not easy, but I did forgive.
    I gasp as His response tells me that He was that man. Anger again begins to well up in me. “No! How dare they? How could they. . .” His hand on my face stops my words, and my anger.
    I forgave them, beloved. I love them, as I love you, and I forgave them, as I forgive you when you sin. I do not ask you to forgive for others’ sake, but for your own. The bitterness that unforgiveness causes will destroy you, and will separate you from Me.
    I stare at Him, struggling to accept His command. “I never want to be separated from You, Jesus. But I don’t know if I am able to forgive.”
    On your own, you cannot. But My Spirit will give you strength beyond your own ability, and you can forgive.
    “I want to obey You, Lord, but I don’t know how.”
    It is a process, child. Choose to forgive. When anger or sadness rises up in you, choose again to forgive. And again, and again, until the emotions are under your control. Realize that letting go of the anger does not mean you condone the abuse, only that you will not let it control you. The hurt and anger will not go away completely until you come home, but it will soften, if you let it. Do not allow the root of bitterness to take hold. He brings my face to His, kissing my forehead gently. Give your anger to me, child. I can deal with it much easier than you. Each time the anger and hurt wells up in you, give it to Me. You are My beloved. It is My place to protect what is Mine. Vengeance is Mine. Allow Me to repay.
    For a split second, the rage threatens again; but as I stare into His eyes, I feel a glorious surrender, a letting go, deep in my heart. “With Your help, Lord, I will forgive.” I step back into His arms, and a peace like I’ve never known flows through me, settling deep in my spirit. The hurt is still there, but it will not destroy me. He won’t let it.
    My face loses all color as I recall my fists pummeling His chest, my emotions out of control. “Please forgive my anger, Lord. I . . .” His finger on my lips halts the words.
    It’s alright, little one. Your anger is understandable, and needed to be expressed. All is forgiven. Nothing could make Me stop loving you. His eyes burn into mine. Nothing! The fire in His eyes seals that truth in my heart for eternity.
    Now, it is time for you to go back, child. His voice has as much regret as my heart. You will return soon, and you’ll never have to leave again.
    “Before I go, Lord Jesus, may I. . .” He hears my thoughts, and smiles, nodding. I reach up, and kiss His cheek, whispering against His skin, “I love You, Lord Jesus.”
    I love you too, little one.
    I hear His whisper echoing in my ears as I open my eyes, back at home. Tears well up in me, and a moan rises from deep in me, struggling to get out. Once again, I cry. Once again, I become angry. But then, once again I forgive. It is a cycle, one that will repeat itself over and over again, but with each cycle, the pain lessens, and His arms around me more than fills the empty spaces within me. Eventually, I will feel the forgiveness, but for now, it is a decision – one that I make for my own sake, and for His.

    See Susan's Website Here
    http://storiesfromtheupperroom.weebly.com/

    http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/u...y-animated.gif


    By: Sandra Ventura http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c.../butterfly.gif

    This could basically be applied to almost everything we need to work on. Weight loss, depression, PTS, Addiction ect.

    Working through our situation can be a very difficult thing to do. Stopping a drug addiction, trying to lose weight, working on a painful situation, leaving an abusive situation, ect.

    First we need Christ in our life, We need to completely let go of all control and allow Him to be your everything. Letting go of something doesn't mean the situation was ok , your feelings are valid.
    But holding on to it is only hurting you, your still giving them power in your life, Letting it all go to God is taking back the control in your life, they will have 0 control over you.
    It is in Gods control now, and He will deal with it and the person who hurt you will have to face God one day.
    Many many of these situations are out of our control, the things that put us into a situation like addiction, over weight (obese), post traumatic syndrome, depression ect. Pains that we want to cover up and don't want to feel.

    Finding the tools through either a professional, medications, support group, articles , forums with support are ways to find the tools you need.
    These tools are entered into the conscious part of the brain ( the part of the brain that we can control) through 3 of our senses, Hearing, Touching, Seeing. Speaking to ourselves allows us to hear our emotions This is why journaling is so vital and reading it to yourself or another supportive person. In time it seems like a light may have been turned on, this is when it becomes a part of us.

    The harder we work on these tools the stronger our recovery can be

    The hardest part really is applying it, and walking the baby steps of what we are learning to get better.
    But if we don't apply it to our own personal life we will stay right where we are.

    For many we can only walk for awhile, and then rest in the arms of Christ This is ok, as it is like an onion being peeled to expose each layer Christ will be there the whole way. Sometimes God doesn't want to peel a layer trust in Him and turn it all over to Him.

    At times we may find ourselves relying only on people and not on God or our tools of recovery, I would say if your feeling frustrated with people who want to help you but are not available perhaps this is telling you that you need to turn it all back to God and work harder on your tools.
    Tell yourself daily " It is not what can they do for me today to feel better....it is What can I do for me today to feel better". Yes, it is awesome to have supporters who love and care for you. But it is not up to them to help you, it is up to you to get better.

    Tools can be many things, Recovery Meetings, Support groups, Journaling, Painting, Writing, Step work, Exercising, ect. Something you love to do. Below are a few links to some support groups who work the steps, and support one another and I am sure there are many online as well if you do a google search.

    * making a note here that some situations can be a chemical imbalance, so it is always important to check with your doctor too. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u.../butterfly.gif


    Depressed Anonymous
    http://www.depressedanon.com/

    Emotional Health Anonymous
    http://home.flash.net/~sgveha/

    Overeaters Anonymous
    http://www.oa.org/

    Emotional Anonymous
    http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

    http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rflies-i-1.gif


    Prayer for the Hurting, You are not alonehttp://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i.../butterfli.gif



    Lord you know our innermost thoughts.
    You search out our paths and know all our ways.
    Before we speak, you know our words.
    When we were knit together in our mother's womb
    You knew us as woman, as child, as man.
    Wherever we go, Your hand will lead us.
    So guide us along the pathways to hope,
    that night becomes bright as day.
    So lead us on our walk together,
    that darkness is lifted from our hearts.
    So encourage us that our sisters and brothers
    Who have Mental Illness, and Addictions shall know that
    they never walk alone.

    ADDICTION, Relapse Prevention: The Beginning of Recovery 

    by
    BlessEwe /Admin
    Published on 07-22-2010 12:00 PM  Number of Views: 8595 

    http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2..._manandgod.gif



    Relapse Prevention: The Beginning of Recovery http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/p...ed/green-2.gif

    By Sandra Ventura/ Blessewe

    Visualize to yourself a burnt down forest, black and fried, really no resources at this moment to protect itself, open to problems with floods and other elements of life.

    After a long term addiction and with some drugs such as meth ect. your brain is now that burnt down forest, and you are without natural resorces and the balance of your brain is way off for a while. This is why it is called a brain disease

    The natural body relaxant called dopamine have been replaced with the chemicals, so basically they are burnt out.
    Just as it take a forest time to grow back to it natural beauty, this is what to expect from your body and brain.
    Many times people get discouraged when they first find sobriety and expect to feel great in a week.

    Depending on the length,strength, and the amount you were using will determine how long it will take to rebuild and feel better.

    Addiction and what it has done to your body/ and how to heal Link to full page


    http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...ybutterfly.gif
    Understanding what your body and brain have been through (brief review quoted above)
    is important knowledge of understanding that it may take awhile to feel better, and out of the 1 stages of body detox. You may say well, I didn't need to go to a hospital to detox. Your body and brain have learned to function now using the drugs/alcohol, the body needs healing and the ability
    to function without them.

    The thing is now the brain will never forget what it has learned, so it is important to learn the tools and find the support especially in the beginning stages.

    To make it in laymen terms, your brain functions with the Conscious (front lobe area of what we have control over) and the Subconscious ( back lobe area and this is our primal area which we have no control over) The Subconscious has been changed to accommodate the drug/drinking behavior, with out the drug/alcohol it is going to be in the survivor mode to get what it feels it needs. Especially in the beginning of recovery until the brain/body has time to heal, you are at the most vulnerable stage and need the most support/ educational tools possible. This is when support groups such as AA, Na, Rehap hospitals, out patient aftercare, sober living homes, counseling, journaling, reading recovery material, ect. is so important to keep the conscious part of the brain inline, until the
    subconscious part of the brain can heal.

    Many times we may go to a meeting like AA and feel we have no idea what they are talking about, for some everything clicks right away. Allow yourself the time to continue to go to these meeting and in time the information may click and go from your head to your heart. I do feel this is when it becomes a part of us, which go from the conscious to the subconscious and is now in our survival primal area.

    The burnt down forest ( of the subconscious) is now sprouting from the seeds that have been planted by the educational tools and support of others. Some are in the stage of acceptance and the seeds grow faster, some it needs a bit more fertilizer.

    The key is Not to Give up! Keep on Keeping on! This is the time to take baby steps and don't put too much on yourself.



    Not in your own power, but with the strength of Jesus Christ You Can Do This!




    ADDICTION, WHAT IT HAS DONE TO YOUR BODY AND HOW TO HEAL

    Relapse Prevention: The Beginning of Recovery April 29, 2010


    By: Sandra Ventura/Blessewe

    Visualize to yourself a burnt down forest, black and fried, really no resources at this moment to protect itself, open to problems with floods and other elements of life.

    After a long term addiction (alcohol/drugs) or with some drugs such as meth ect. your brain is now that burnt down forest, and you are without natural resorces and the balance of your brain is way off for a while. This is why it is called a brain disease

    The natural body relaxant called dopamine have been replaced with the synthetic chemicals, so basically they are burnt out looking like the forest.
    Just as it takes a forest time to grow back to it natural beauty, this is what to expect from your body and brain.
    Many times people get discouraged when they first find sobriety and expect to feel great in a week.

    Depending on the length,strength, and the amount you were using will determine how long it will take to rebuild and feel better.


    Our brains are so complex and we have so far to go as to understanding it. We do know that once the subconscious part of the brain has changed by the alcohol/drug use, the body and brain now has changed itself to accommodate its normality to the chemical invasion.

    This is why the consent cravings to use is so strong and difficult to stop in the first few years. And many times the body needs to be detoxed to stop in a safe environment and medical supervision.

    Especially in the first few months to a year your brain is without the resources to protect itself, and the foundation of your addiction recovery is essential and the most important. Finding ways to find peace and calmness is the key to get through this sometimes difficult stage.

    Finding external ways to find the calmness until the internal forest of the brain begin to heal is Very Important.

    Depending on the stage of addiction (as well as length, strength and amount) you will determine the treatment you may need.

    a few suggestions:

    1. Work on your relationship with Christ, if you are still searching find a mentor, pastor or someone to help guide you. Pray and reach out to Jesus to help you has you put your best foot forward to stop.


    2. Find a recovery support group with people who understand addiction , ( AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery, ect.) Find a accountability partner.

    3.. Eat well balanced meals and keep your blood sugar at a even calm state, drinks lots of water.

    4. Find a exercise or activity that involves getting active.. And you may need your doctors approval (long good walks are so good)

    5. Find a hobby.. Dream big and go for your passions

    6. I have found that taking long calming lavender baths (aroma therapy) and soft calming music helped me so very much.

    7. Journal, and write. Read it aloud to yourself

    8. Be good to yourself...take babysteps
    2 Comments

    Positive-Quotes 

    by
    BlessEwe /Admin
    Published on 11-05-2009 10:00 PM



    May I sit comfortably in silence, so that I can hear Gods words.
    --SweetyZee

    Be thankful
    ...
    Read More Read More

    CHRISTIAN FLOCK FORUMS 

    by
    BlessEwe /Admin
    Published on 11-05-2009 10:00 PM

    Keep It Simple

    Patience is needed with everyone, but first of all with ourselves. ---St. Francis de Sales     ...
    Read More Read More

    Christian Flock Forums 

    by
    BlessEwe /Admin
    Published on 11-01-2009 10:00 PM

    Walk in Dry Places

    Never withholding ourselves.
    Living Sober.
    We may have let ourselves believe     ...
    Read More Read More 1 Comment

    CHRISTIAN FLOCK FORUMS 

    by
    BlessEwe /Admin
    Published on 10-29-2009 10:00 PM

    ...
    Read More Read More

    Prayer for the Day! Hurting, You are not alone 

    Published on 04-25-2010 09:50 PM  Number of Views: 28 
    Categories:
    1. Mental Health Daily Inspirations

    O Lord, you have searched us and known us
    You know when we sit down and when we rise up,
    and know our innermost thoughts.
    You search out our paths and know all our ways.
    Before we speak, you know our words.
    When we were knit together in our mother's womb
    You knew us as woman, as child, as man.
    Wherever we go, Your hand will lead us.
    So guide us along the pathways to hope,
    that night becomes bright as day.
    So lead us on our walk together,
    that darkness is lifted from our hearts.
    So encourage us that our sisters and brothers
    Who have mental illness shall know that
    they never walk alone.
    AmenHug