| TIREDNESS AND STRESS By Helen De Bruin So many times I have heard of other women being or becoming depressed. It is usually some major incident in their lives that have caused the depression. Sometimes, the depression is due to a physical illness. Often, the depression can stem from stress and sheer tiredness. Usually it lasts a while, then, with the Lord's help, and His healing hands of time, the depression subsides and there is a relief from the dark cloud that seems to overshadow it's prey. During my life, I have had bouts of feeling down, due to factors and circumstances going on in my life. I have never suffered deep depression other than a little after the birth of each child, when my hormones have been chemically unbalanced. This has passed within a month or two, when I have gotten into a routine with the babies. The deep, dark, hard-to-shake-off state of anxiety and helplessness has never overwhelmed me before ~ until now! I have recently had a little health scare which turned out to be just that ~ little. At the time, I panicked and worked myself up to such a degree, that I could feel the shock, the fear racing through my body. I can only describe this as a feeling of adrenalin racing around my bloodstream, causing palpitations, shakiness, nervousness and a 'thick' throat. These feelings would flow in waves during the day. I'd be fine one minute, then suddenly and unexpectedly, the feeling of doom and gloom would overwhelm me. I reasoned with myself. I told myself that I have nothing to be depressed about. I told myself to 'get out' of the rut I felt I was in. What was it that I feared? Where was my faith? Didn't I trust the Lord? I had prayed to Him, to help me get out of this pit of despair. I knew He heard me.... "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7 Why am I telling you all of this, dear Sisters? Because I want to encourage you to look after your physical body. We are, as wives and mothers, blessed with such an honoured role, that we, to this extent, cannot even comprehend. In order to fulfil this role, our bodies will be called on in more ways than one. Whether your circumstance as a wife and mother entail hard, physical labour, or whether they involve a lot of 'brain' work and stress ~ or ~ even both, I pray that the Lord will stir a desire in you to keep His temple in the best health you possibly can. When my body is unhealthy and stressed and feeling low, it affects my spirit. Sadly, I find it hard to glorify God in body and spirit when I am physically ill...... "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I cried to the Lord in my distress and He showed me ways to overcome my dark hour.... Here are some practical ways the Lord has taught me to get my mind off me and onto Him. Prayer and Thanksgiving I prayed to the Lord, asking Him to show me what I could do to overcome what I was going through. I asked Him to forgive my selfishness. I asked Him to help me not to concentrate on myself, but on others. I asked Him to teach me to pray for others in my lowly time. This was good discipline for me ~ to consider other's problems. I thanked Him for all His goodness and teaching. Reading His Word: I asked the Lord to teach me faith, through His Word. I continued to read about Him, despite lack of concentration. I plodded and continue to plod through His blessed Word. Family: I determined to do more for my family. Each one. I determined to express a better attitude towards them. When Andre asked something of me, I answered quickly, willingly and did what he asked without delay. I discussed with Emma her plans regarding the desktop publishing business she wants to start. I fussed over Sarah's cold more than I would have normally. Instead of her rubbing her own Vicks onto her chest, I did it for her, then tucked her in bed with a hot wheat sack. I listened and asked questions about Sam's interest in bikes and cars, even though I cannot relate! hee hee....Small things, I know ~ and some of you may do these things by habit already. You are blessed if you do! I have to work on this, dear Sisters. I have to make a conscious, determined effort. And even though I make that effort, I know that it is the Lord who has changed my heart to give me the DESIRE to even try! Parents: Despite feeling quite ill at the time, I took my parents around town, as well as on other trips, serving them in whatever way I could, and showing my children in the process that despite feeling ill, it was possible and a blessing to help others. Busy-ness: I kept busy. I kept physically busy, to the point of experiencing a delightful tiredness at the end of the day. Not a stressful tiredness, which I am convinced many mommas feel, but a delicious physical tiredness. Both in the home and ........ Outdoors: I began to weed our front garden like a woman on a mission, all the while, thanking and praising God Who gives me the strength and endurance to do this. My children joined me. They became as enthused as me! Starting Something New: I have decided to go bicycle riding with the children. Sam is thrilled that he has been given the task of fixing mamma's bicycle. Already they are planning our route around town.... Adequate Sleep: Sometimes, it isn't always possible to go to bed at a 'decent' hour. Sometimes, work overflows into the evening hours, and when motivation hits, it is hard to let it go! When this happened, I took naps during the day. Little naps. Ten minutes here, five minutes there. The Lord woke me, refreshed and well rested and ready to begin again. Adequate Water: I have been learning about our body's cries for water. This is so good for flushing out the body, as well as the digestive system. I have been drinking more water. This was hard to start, but what has helped to remind me to drink is to do so each time I go to the bathroom. Empty, then re-fill! Laughter: Laughing truly is a great medicine. I have been laughing with my family, laughing with others and laughing at myself. I really don't know how this works, but Sisters, it does! I pray that if any of you are facing one of these dark, lonely times, that you will call on the Lord and that He will comfort you. I have learned that when my body becomes tired, and when I disregard my physical health requirements, while facing stressful times, that my thoughts, outlook and attitude towards life changes. Sadly, for the worse! This is also when fear sets in. My aim now, with the Lord's help, is to not get into this state in the first place! "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7 With Love in the Lord, Helen |