I have shared more recently about parts of my story. For the past nearly 5 years I have dealt with suffering. I was in a car accident nearly 5 years ago that changed my life. I have dealt with a lot of pain and suffering, and some of that being PTSD/anxiety and depression.
I wanted to share this because as I have opened up more and my story is being shared, it opens up a lot of communication and messages being sent to me. Some messages are filled with thankful words and kindness. Some are filled with messages like, “I’m praying for you” and heart emojis. But some are filled full of long testimonies and heart filled painful messages of suffering. & I wanted to write this to those who are going through a difficult season. You are so loved and I know that God is in control.
I have been walking through healing. But one of the gifts that came alongside of my suffering has been deep empathy. And as much of a blessing as it is to have this small platform that has been growing, it’s also becoming harder for me to respond to each message. But when I “like” your message know that at times it’s even met with tears in my eyes, and I often pray a prayer each time I see the words of pain that you’ve experienced. Sometime’s I’m able to respond to some of them. But there are some that I haven’t been able to get to read. I just want you to know that you’re seen. You’re loved. Your story matters. And Jesus sees you.
A lot of the messages that I get are about counseling. Some are filled full of fear to take the next steps and what that may look like. Some have thanked me for breaking the stigma, and to be honest, I actually have cried reading that. Because I forgot that at one point I too felt those feelings. The stigma has been long forgotten in my mind because it became a necessity for me to live. Counseling has been one of God’s greatest gifts in my life. God is our great counselor, and he also can use other’s to counsel too. I have had both a christian counselor and a medical counselor and both have been helpful.
Some books I have loved (linked in my amazon favorites here) :
Hinds feet on High Places: Visual journey
To Be Told by Dan Allender
Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Leading with a Limp
Again my classic spotify playlist that you all helped me make linked here:
Joy in the Drought
Reading through Psalms greatly impacted my heart during this season. Writing in my journal, doing breathing exercises, and going on walks in nature helped a lot. I would suggest also getting plugged in at your church/pastoral care. Going to counseling, having your loved ones surround you, church family, and medical family is so vital.
Thank you for reading & I’m so thankful for you!
Tay Ruth
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