Tag: lighthouses

encouragement

Lighthouse of Encouragement: Embracing Prayer, Scripture, and Support Networks

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

It’s kinda funny. I decide to devote a month to encouragement and it’s probably been one of the most discouraging weeks so far. In the last post, I mentioned having “lighthouses” to help us navigate through the storms of life. And well I guess it’s time for me to practice what I preach. One lighthouse is friends and family, a support system, trusted people we can reach out to for prayer. I think that’s always my first go to. Prayer works and when you know you have your people praying for you, for me it’s like someone propping me up. Like in Exodus 17 – The Israelites were in battle with the Amalekites, verses 5-12- “The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” 8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So if you’re reading this, I could use some prayer.

Another tried and true lighthouse is reading scripture. Currently, I am doing Summer in the Psalms. David and the Psalmists weren’t exempt from discouragement or stormy lives. Yet. they cried out to God and they remind us God hears them, He hears us.

Psalm 103:8 – “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (ESV) God loves me, He loves you on the good days and bad days. We can rest our minds in this truth. The days that I am discouraged for whatever reason, He still loves me. When our minds are swirling and our thoughts are out of control, we need something firm and true to hold to and God’s word, His truths are just what we need to ground us. Without truth to stand on we can easily start to believe the lies and worst case scenarios.

I mentioned that friends and family are great lighthouses. We can reach out to them for prayer. However, we should pray ourselves. Hebrews 4:16 – “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” We should reach out to God ourselves. We can go to Him with anything. Yes, He already knows, but He wants to hear it and He wants to hear from us. He loves us!

So far we have three lighthouses, friends and family, a support system to hold up our arms in battle. Prayer, we can go boldly to the throne of our gracious God, where we can receive mercy and grace when we need it the most. And scripture, there we can find truths, solid ground for us to fight our battle. Stay tuned this month, head over to my YouTube channel I have a short tutorial to make a card to give to someone to help encourage, quick and easy.

encouragement

Finding Mental Health Lighthouses: Navigating Stormy Seas with Wisdom

The Kedge Anchor

Imagine you are out at sea on a stormy night. It’s dark, there are no stars in the night sky to guide you. You’re being tossed by waves and no sight of land. All feels hopeless. Until you see a light in the distance. A lighthouse, a light to guide your way to shore, to safety. You let out a sigh of relief, you feel encouraged, it’s gonna be ok. When you reach the shore all your fears are calmed and you know you can make it until the storm passes.

Have you been there? I know I have. Some of those storms like the storms of discouragement, have been just squalls passing through, others have been more severe, hanging around for a while. Being tossed and battered by my own thoughts or the outward events happening around me, I need something to help me, someone to help me. Whether it’s just a passing or the storm is sticking around for while, we all need encouragement through the rough seasons. Who or what to you turn to? What helps you navigate the stormy waters of discouragement when there is no light, no stars. Who or what are your lighthouses?

I am not a counselor and this blog is not about mental health, however, we need to be healthy mentally. This blog and blog post is just for encouragement. I have found some ways to cope and manage on the days when the waves of discouragement are overwhelming. I am just sharing what has helped me. So if you feel you need or just want to talk a professional counselor please click here to find one in your area.

Through the month of June we’ll be looking ways to find some mental health lighthouses for encouragement. With scripture we will reveal wisdom to help us find hope and direction.

Lighthouse – Trusted friends and family. Having a support system of friends and family is what God created for, community. Some days we need to reach out to others. Being discouraged and mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness. There has been a stigma over the decades of having a mental illness or diagnosis. That stigma, I believe to be diminished. With all the apps and commercials about mental health, it’s clear that this stigma is losing it’s punch. It’s not uncommon for someone to seek counseling just to get them through a tough situation.

It’s ok to feel sad, depressed, mad, anger, anxious. And at times we do feel do feel discouraged. God created you, He created us to feel these emotions, sometimes we need help processing them. He is not surprised at any time if you experience these emotions, He’s not angry with you if feel depressed or hopeless. He wants you to pour out your heart to Him. Jesus experienced these emotions the night before His crucifixion, – Matthew 26:36-46. He understands these emotions. He understands you because He created you. More importantly, He wants you, He wants to help you, He loves you – John 3:16.

Some will try to console by saying “You just need a little more faith.” It’s not about not having a lot of faith. Jesus just asks for mustard seed faith, Matthew 17:20. Even when we doubt He is there to help us. “… Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” – Matthew 9:23-24. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1.

We all at some point will face discouragement, depression, anxiety. You are not weak because you doubt, but be mindful of where it’s coming from. We have an enemy who likes to cause us to doubt. After all that is how he got Eve to sin, – Genesis 3. You’re not weak for feeling depressed and needing to reach out. Sometimes we just need a little help, a little encouragement. Who do you reach out to? Who is your support system? Many people are lonely and if you are one of those people who doesn’t have support system, if you’re not already, search for a local Bible believing church. Join, get involved, reach out and become part of a great community.

If you know of someone who maybe facing loneliness, reach out. Not sure how follow over the month of June for some ways to encourage others.

In the posts to follow we will find how we can find more lighthouses to help us navigate the stormy seas of life.

*** This blog post inspired by “Wisdom for Mental Health” – YouVersion