Blip and Grip

Hello friends,

It has been a significant week for our city Christchurch, being ten years since the February 22nd earthquake. Today is now the first day in a change of levels, with Auckland most affected. These are tough times for many. I’m thinking of you.

This post is about recovering from a ‘blip’ in my mental health.

The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast,

When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and (consoled) me.

Psalm 94:18-19 The Message

My Blip

I had a psychosis 11 years ago and thankfully haven’t had another since. I have steadily gone from strength to strength. Like everyone I have my small blips along the way, but in recent years I had a time where I was very anxious and not myself. At that time I had finished up with mental health services, but needed a brief intervention to get me back on my feet again. I was grateful I could see a registered nurse who was key in my quick recovery. He listened, spoke insightful and wise words that greatly reassured me. He helped me understand my situation. Family and friends showed kindness and love. My task was self-care which included medications and a good sleep routine.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.

Psalm 91:4 NIV

Meditation

In that time of recovery, Father God brought real comfort to my mind through the words of Psalm 91. The feminine image of His wings covering me, brought God’s personal warmth to my soul. I was also encouraged by our friend Phil Tait in his passion for Psalm 91, and I felt the wero, a challenge to learn this psalm. I took many months to learn it by heart, with starts and stops, but in the end I did it. God ministered powerfully and gently through meditating on this scripture. I enlisted the help of my kids in testing me, and moral support from a friend who was working on the same goal. Meditating on God’s living Word and ‘digesting’ it, can bring calm to our mental and emotional state by His Spirit. I’m not always on track with this, but when I am, I notice the difference in my well-being.

The Holistic Help

In my ‘blip’ I was comforted by Mental Health professionals, medications, Scripture, self-care activities, whānau and friends. A week later I was quickly heading back in the right direction. Through this experience I learnt that communicating my vulnerabilities to friends can also help them better understand what I am experiencing, and help me get back to my old self sooner.

Mental health professionals offer specialist skills that can bring reassurance to our minds. I am so grateful for those who have helped me over the years. I know it can also be very difficult to access such professionals. Do seek out help by visiting your G.P (doctor) if you are facing mental health challenges. Often we can get a foot up that we didn’t know was even possible.

Other News

I’d like to promote a music album, ‘Send the Rain‘, released by Grace Vineyard Church here in Aotearoa, New Zealand. ‘Send the Rain’ has stunning sounds. My favourite song would have to be, ‘All In Your Hands‘. Do have a listen!

In our fruit garden, the ‘NZ Cranberries’ below (myrtus ugni) are perfect to eat right now. They make a nice aromatic little hedge or bush. Last year I froze the berries for a nutritious snack. Texture wise they’re not everyone’s pick but we have adults and kids who enjoy grazing here. I think these are a winner in the low maintenance home fruit garden.

That’s all for this small post. I have some topics coming that I think you will find interesting.

God bless you,

Bronnie