I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic lately. So often in life we compare ourselves to others. We compare ourselves in every way…material possessions, beauty, intelligence, physical fitness, Godliness, etc. I think when you are someone who struggles with mental illness, you often wonder why you have to be the way you are. If only you were physically healthier..if only you were able to cope with what it seems like everyone else can cope with…if only you didn’t have to deal with the things you are dealing with…life would be so much better. I just want to say…it’s ok to be you.
Yes, living with depression, anxiety, OCD, any number of mental health struggles are definitely a challenge and yes, it would be so much easier to live life without them. However, you were made the way you were for a reason. We all have struggles in our lives, no one is excluded from that. There is pain and suffering here on earth and I so long for the day when that is no more. But today…we are here…I am here. And I am me..and that is ok.
No, I’m not like everyone else. I work part-time because I need the time off to recover from the time I spent working. Not everyone understands this and I deal with other people’s confusion over that alot. I get stress headaches sometimes after being out with people all day. When I have a busy day, I need time at home by myself to recover. I can’t always do everything I set out to do in a day because my body or my mind won’t let me. I can’t tell you how often I am extremely frustrated by this. But you know what, I think this lifelong struggle is good for me. It teaches me to rest when I need it. It teaches me self-care and the importance of saying, “No” to people when I need to. But most of all, it teaches me to rely on God because I know that it is DAILY His strength that gets me through.
On those days when I wake up and I already feel exhausted and my day just seems like it is looming ahead of me, I know that God will give me the strength, health and ability to accomplish what He has for me to do that day. That does not mean that MY to do list always gets done. Often what I had planned for the day does not work out. I plan my steps but the Lord directs my path and for that I am so thankful. He knows if I need to rest during the day. He knows if I need to spend time with a certain person that day. He knows all and I don’t. He loves me and He loves me just the way I am. If I compare to this person or that person, I will never measure up in every way. That is a sure way to be discouraged and hopeless every day. I am me with every flaw and every beauty and I can’t be anyone else.
Lately, I have really been praying that each day I accomplish what God has set out for me that day. I pray that what needs to be done will get done, and that I will have the energy and strength to do that. I also pray that even though I have many goals and plans for the day that His ways are better and that every absolute MUST will be accomplished. And if it isn’t accomplished then I guess it wasn’t meant for today. And that’s ok! God has really been showing me lately that usually everything that needs to be done gets done, it’s just not always in my timing. Ahh the humility that brings.
So my encouragement to you is this….BE YOU! That is the best person you can be. Don’t compare yourself to others. Mental illness really isn’t fun, but everyone is struggling with something and be thankful that your struggle can cause you to rely more on the One who is in control, because even when you think you are in control, that is not the case, my friend. Be kind to yourself. Slow down. Take a nap if you need to. Recharge and make sure that you are able to do the really important things that God has planned for you to do that day. He will give you the strength and energy to do what you need to. He always has for me. So remember whatever you feel like you are failing at today, be thankful you are you and know that it is all ok. Being you is ok. Actually even better than ok, you are the best thing you can be!
Much love from someone who is constantly being reminded of this very same truth.
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