I not only suffer from depression, but I get stressed out pretty easily!!! So I want to share something that 'usually' helps in times of stress. It is a very powerful image, and when I visualize this I can only think that any stress that comes my way is insignificant by any comparison!
Jesus has gone to the Mount of Olives to have some prayer time alone with the Father. He enters the Garden of Gethsemane and leaves the disciples a few feet away.
LUKE 22: 41-44
"And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 'Father,if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.' And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. AND BEING IN GREAT AGONY HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY; AND HIS SWEAT BECAME LIKE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN UPON THE GROUND."
I cannot imagine being so stressed that that I would sweat blood!!!! Jesus knew what was coming. The human side of Him did not want to go through with it because of the physical torment that he would suffer. The spiritual Jesus did not want to go through with it because he knew he would have to be separated from God the Father, something that he could not even concieve!! I know that we all know of this scripture, but what an illustration of the greatest sress anyone could ever endure! And most important, what an illustration of the faith of God's Son!!!
So......when I get really stressed.....I try and visualize the Lord Jesus on His knees praying with all of His heart, mind, and soul so desperately that He sweat blood!!! I will never experience like that!!!!!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Welcome Dad!
I am happy to announce that my dad, Richard Weston, is now a contributing author to this blog. He has been inspirational to me in my walk with God and in my life.
Dad has been studying God's Word a lot longer than I have and has some great insights to share. He has also had some beautiful visions from God and I hope that he will share them with us on this site.
I love you Dad!
Your loving daughter, Heather
Dad has been studying God's Word a lot longer than I have and has some great insights to share. He has also had some beautiful visions from God and I hope that he will share them with us on this site.
I love you Dad!
Your loving daughter, Heather
Friday, May 4, 2012
I CAN POST NOW !!!!
Praise The Lord, I can post on your blogger now. You sent me those links in my email and that was the key! So look forward to posts from your Dad!!!!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Lessons from the Car Wash
Only I could get a car stuck going through the car wash! First, what you have to understand is that I have only been through the car wash at the gas station where you drive your car through and the signs tell you when to go and when to stop. Otherwise, I have left the car in the hands of some wonderful people who would take the car through the car wash for me. So, I had never been through a car wash with a track that guides the car through.
I went to the car wash with the work car, gave the gentleman my voucher and pulled up according to the gestures by the nice gentleman. Then...the car started moving forward!
Problem was there was a car only a few inches in front of me and I didn't want to run into it so I pushed on the brakes. WRONG!!!! Everything stopped. The nice gentleman stood by the side yelling at me to put the car in neutral and not to step on the brakes. Ok...here we go again. The car righted itself and the track moved the car along. The car in front of me was still very close, but I had to trust that I wouldn't hit the car in front of me. Then....WHAMMMY----these great big blue things cover the car on all sides. I can't see anything. I can't control the car. I can't get out! I just had to wait. So...here is what I learned.
John 16:13 (ESV)
I am reminded that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I must give control of my life to God, and remember to seek His guidance in all aspects of my life.
If the track in the car wash represents God, and I represent myself, I am thankful that God leads us back into His Grace and Mercy even when we have been fighting him for control.
What experiences have you had that have led you to God?
I went to the car wash with the work car, gave the gentleman my voucher and pulled up according to the gestures by the nice gentleman. Then...the car started moving forward!
Problem was there was a car only a few inches in front of me and I didn't want to run into it so I pushed on the brakes. WRONG!!!! Everything stopped. The nice gentleman stood by the side yelling at me to put the car in neutral and not to step on the brakes. Ok...here we go again. The car righted itself and the track moved the car along. The car in front of me was still very close, but I had to trust that I wouldn't hit the car in front of me. Then....WHAMMMY----these great big blue things cover the car on all sides. I can't see anything. I can't control the car. I can't get out! I just had to wait. So...here is what I learned.
- Always put your car in neutral---sometimes you have to give up control
- Close your eyes----that way you won't have a panic attack
- The car wash is not the log ride---the track is level, not on a hill, so you don't have to worry about crashing into the car behind you!
- It ends pretty quickly---there is light at the end of the tunnel.
- Next time let your boss take the car through the car wash!!!!
John 16:13 (ESV)
I am reminded that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I must give control of my life to God, and remember to seek His guidance in all aspects of my life.
If the track in the car wash represents God, and I represent myself, I am thankful that God leads us back into His Grace and Mercy even when we have been fighting him for control.
What experiences have you had that have led you to God?
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
You have no power over me, negative self-talk!
The little voice in my head that says, "I'm depressed," or "I want to cry," or "I hate myself" needs to be quiet! Shhh...I'm trying to concentrate. I'm trying to stay focused on positives, but this little voice has a way of sneaking up on me. The little voice has a lot to say, reminding me of every failure, every bad decision, all my regrets, and everything I long for.
I used to let this voice play continuously in my head, and it would get louder and gain more power as I slid further and further into depression. I have had to learn not to give the voice power, to ignore the voice, to quiet the voice with a louder, more powerful voice.
Now, when I find myself thinking, "I'm depressed," my first response is to tell that voice, "No, I'm NOT!" Then I remind myself of all the good things in my life, and all the positive things I have done. This, of course, is not easy. It takes practice and hard work. It takes the desire to stay in a positive state of being. It takes accepting that there are good things in my life.
Once I get my positive thoughts going, I start praying. I ask God to fill me with His Holy Spirit so there is no room for negative thoughts. If I am filled with God's goodness, there will be no space for demons.
My list of positive thoughts is longer than when I started. I used to just repeat the same few thoughts over and over, until the negativity wasn't foremost in my mind. The important thing is that you choose a positive thought to replace the negative one. Here are a few of mine, use them if you want, or write your own positive thought list, so that you are ready when the demon starts whispering.
Negative thought: Positive thought:
I hate myself! I am a loving person.
I can't do anything right! I am a good writer. (insert one thing you are good at)
I just want to cry. Why? There is no reason. Think of something that makes me laugh
I hate life. Become conscious of my surroundings, appreciate the beauty around me.
These are just examples. Choose something easy to remember and that you really feel. Then tell yourself that over and over until your mind's focus has changed.
It really works. You can make the choice to think positively about yourself or not. Negative thoughts seem to be easier for those of us that struggle with depression, but we can overcome. God will help us. Keep Your eyes on the Lord, He will lift your head and raise you up from the places of the dead.
Feel Well My Friends!
I used to let this voice play continuously in my head, and it would get louder and gain more power as I slid further and further into depression. I have had to learn not to give the voice power, to ignore the voice, to quiet the voice with a louder, more powerful voice.
Now, when I find myself thinking, "I'm depressed," my first response is to tell that voice, "No, I'm NOT!" Then I remind myself of all the good things in my life, and all the positive things I have done. This, of course, is not easy. It takes practice and hard work. It takes the desire to stay in a positive state of being. It takes accepting that there are good things in my life.
Once I get my positive thoughts going, I start praying. I ask God to fill me with His Holy Spirit so there is no room for negative thoughts. If I am filled with God's goodness, there will be no space for demons.
My list of positive thoughts is longer than when I started. I used to just repeat the same few thoughts over and over, until the negativity wasn't foremost in my mind. The important thing is that you choose a positive thought to replace the negative one. Here are a few of mine, use them if you want, or write your own positive thought list, so that you are ready when the demon starts whispering.
Negative thought: Positive thought:
I hate myself! I am a loving person.
I can't do anything right! I am a good writer. (insert one thing you are good at)
I just want to cry. Why? There is no reason. Think of something that makes me laugh
I hate life. Become conscious of my surroundings, appreciate the beauty around me.
These are just examples. Choose something easy to remember and that you really feel. Then tell yourself that over and over until your mind's focus has changed.
It really works. You can make the choice to think positively about yourself or not. Negative thoughts seem to be easier for those of us that struggle with depression, but we can overcome. God will help us. Keep Your eyes on the Lord, He will lift your head and raise you up from the places of the dead.
Feel Well My Friends!
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