Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Are you dealing with depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder and wanting to ask for help, but simply too afraid of what people might think or say? Or feeling as if you are the only one in the church that battles these things? I have been there, afraid of what people will think.

I am the type of person who must be strong and independent. I have been the one to take care of everyone else’s needs and pushing my needs to the side, never understanding I needed to take care of myself in order to help other people. But let me tell you that you are far from alone. Not only is God right there knocking at your door, but there are also people in the church that have battled or are battling the same things. The church does not always talk about these topics, but we need to be open to show the world what God can bring us through. You never know when your story will help someone else. So, tell your story, as I am about to start telling mine.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I needed to dig deeper into God’s word, not allowing depression and anxiety to consume my life. But that is just what I did. Depression comes in like a blink of eye if you aren’t prayed up and connected to God and his people. Depression creeps in when you aren’t looking. It’s like a dark cloud and you can’t find your way out. At least that’s what depression wants you to think. However, that is a lie from the enemy. Many of us have learned how to wear a mask when around people. For myself, I have learned to wear multiple masks, not allowing anyone to know what I’m going through. I not only learned about mask wearing, I also learned how to build walls that were 8 inches thick. I had been hurt in different ways through my life so that I no longer wanted people to get close to me. I always held, even close friends, at arm’s length so I did not get hurt. However, what I did not realize is I was also not allowing God to get close to me. God was knocking at my heart, but I was not opening the door. You see, God is a gentleman: He will not bust through the door to a place He isn’t welcome. God will simply just knock until you open.

Along with depression I battle anxiety. It was to the point that being around people I did not know would cause me to have an anxiety attack. Now, if you have never had an anxiety attack, praise the Lord for that. Because these attacks I would have would cause my heart rate to go up, I would become sweaty, I would shake, and I would feel as if I couldn’t breathe.

So not only did I have the depression telling me lies, I also had anxiety telling me that I couldn’t hang out with people. I believed the lies of depression and anxiety. When I started to fight back and tell the enemy that he was not welcome in my home, he decided to change clothes in the middle of the fight. Therefore, the anxiety and depression I thought were gone had just simply changed clothes. If you aren’t fully connected to God, the enemy can change clothes without you knowing.

For years I have stayed away from the mirror hating the way I looked. Never feeling pretty, never loving what God made, and always trying to fix what I thought was wrong with my body. It does not matter what size you are - if you’re a 0 or a size 20, loving what God created is what matters. We need to be able to look in the mirror and see what God sees. We need to remember we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Just as it says in Song of Solomon 4:7 - “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you” (ESV). The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are not beautiful just remember who created you.

As the pages of your life unfold don't be surprised when you come upon chapters of heartache, pain, and loss. Those are a part of your story, perfectly written by God to help you become exactly who He meant for you to be. But, my friend, they are just chapters. They will not be your whole story and surely not the end. God has a much better end in store for you. So, take heart, keep reading, and keep turning page after page even when it gets hard. For what God has in store for you is far greater than the now. Your storm does not define who you are, it is simply a part of your story. This storm you face today will help mold and shape you into the person God plans for you to be.

If you have felt alone in your church, wondering if anyone out there understands these struggles, the answer is simply yes. There are people in the church that understand. It’s time we start talking about our struggles, even if sharing those struggles make you feel uncomfortable. You never know when your story will help someone else. That’s where this blog comes into play. Here I will talk about my past and present struggles. Are the posts going to be hard for me? Yes, they will be! I am the type of person who would rather talk about the weather then tell you what I struggle with. But how are we going to heal if we stay hidden in the dark? It’s time I share what God has done and is doing in my life as I face these struggles. It’s time we learn that we are not alone and it’s okay to ask for help.

God is still writing your story! Don’t let go of your faith because of what you have yet to see.