Tag: #mentalhealth

The Power of Words Revisited

The Power of Words Revisited

The Power of Words Revisited

“But I tell you, on the day of judgement people will have to give an accounting for every careless word they speak. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 ESV

I don’t know if you have been following the story of Dr. Antoinett Candia-Bailey who died by suicide on January 8, she was the VP of Student Affairs at Lincoln University in Missouri. According to those close to her, she was subjected to a toxic work environment enduring alleged bullying and harassment from the president of the school and other university officials. Despite her numerous attempts to seek support and address the issue, she was left unsupported and disregarded. She put pen to paper writing a letter the day she died detailing the bullying she faced after disclosing her mental illness to the university officials.

The closing part of her letter she says:

If your soul is empty, troubled, in despair, and you see red flags, leave. Don’t try to stick around. My soul can now rest. I’ve filled my earthly dash, March 1974- January 2024. A seat has been prepared for me.

Friends her story is only one of the many tragedies in our country today.  Did you know that in 2023 more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide. This is more than any year on record. This incident got me thinking about the power of WORDS. Words are a powerful force in humanity. Look at how they have impacted our world today. On one hand they have stirred up hatred, violence, and division. On the other, they empower, help, and heal. Words have energy, both good and bad. They can draw us in or drive us away.

Words hurt without permission. Did you hear me friends? This is why positive affirmations are so important. They promote self-love as we build awareness of who we are and what we need in our lives, it generates compassion that extends past mistakes and failures, and self-acceptance.

Mental health is real. God wants us to not only be physically well, but mentally health too. Don’t go it alone, there are a lot of resources and programs out there to help:

Preventureprogram.com, Silence the Shame, MDLive online counseling, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and 988 Lifeline.

Remember friends, we are each others’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Rehab: Spiritual Recovery in Truth

Rehab: Spiritual Recovery in Truth

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Rehab: Spiritual Recovery

“It wasn’t any herb or ointment that healed them but your word alone, Lord which heals everything.” Wisdom of Solomon 16:12 CEBA

How many of you are familiar with the American documentary series Intervention? It follows participants, who are dependent on or addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. They are documented in anticipation of an intervention meeting with family and friends. During the meeting, loved ones read letters as they plead with them to go to an inpatient drug rehabilitation program or risk losing everything. The show also shares follow up on the recovery progress. On this show I have seen both frightening and heartbreaking episodes that reach across social, demographic, racial, and age barriers. Even Hollywood celebrities are not exempt from this show.

When I think about rehab as it relates to spiritual recovery, it is a journey of faith, courage, honesty, hope, and acceptance. No, we are not alone, the Lord is with us, we are his and we are the sheep of his pasture.

Here are some of the benefits of spirituality in recovery:

  • Helps You Find Renewed Purpose.
  • Promotes Accountability.
  • Helps You Connect with Something Outside Self.
  • Increases Compassion and Humility.
  • Promotes Greater Mindfulness through meditation and prayer.

No doubt about it friends, we have all gone through things. Do you sometimes feel this is “a test of the emergency broadcast system, this is only a TEST!” Recovery means a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength. It is the action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost. My friends we have a God who deals in the impossible. He has the power to heal those invisible wounds that no one can see. I can remember when my way was dark, and with tears in my eyes, I could feel the chains on my ankles tighten as I was pull further into a lifeless black hole. I was alone and afraid. But there came Jesus, who brought the light into the dark places of my life, and then he touched me with his finger of love, mercy, grace and then He lifted me. No matter what you may be going through, you are not alone. And what I found out,  I was never alone. He was there all the time.

If you are dealing with some issues, that are too heavy for you, don’t go it alone. Talk to a trusted family member, friend, see a counselor, or pastor. If you are willing to take one step, God will take two.

There are resources and support:

National helpline, SAMHA.gov or mentalhealth.gov

1.800.662.HELP(4357)

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.