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Are You OK?
A conversation can change a life!
GOD DID NOT CREATE YOU WITH, AND WILL NEVER GIVE YOU THE SPIRIT OF FEAR. HE HAS GIVEN YOU A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND A SOUND MIND.
2 Timothy 1:7
Mental Illness
So many people today, including Christians, go through their everyday lives hiding a veil of darkness in their hearts and minds. They live with anxiety, depression, shame or some form of mental illness and are afraid to admit or talk about it.
This page is designed to help you notice the signs, find steps to get help and give you words and songs of encouragement to carry you through these challenges. There should be no stigma about mental illness and the struggle it brings. It is a disease. There is health and healing to be found.
Possible signs
Mental illness effects people in different ways. A change in thoughts or behavior can be early warning signs. Signs alone do not necessarily warrant a diagnosis of mental illness – everybody experiences ups and downs in life. A combination of changes occurring at the same time may indicate a situation that needs attention. Jesus commands us to love others as well as you love yourself. Take some time to look out for others.
- Consistent Pain
- Eating Issues
- Irritability
- Excessive or Lack of Sleep
- Anger
- Forgetful or Difficulty Focusing
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Unemotional
- Lack of Attention to Hygiene
- Social Withdrawal
Are you ok?
Be Proactive. If you have noticed a change in someone’s behavior or thinking, don’t hesitate to ask the question, “ARE YOU OK?” At first, they may have a tough time telling you what’s going on. Let them know they are in a safe space by talking to you.
Listen
It’s so important that once you have started the conversation, to actually listen. Talking about their problems can be embarrassing and sometimes, almost shameful, so make sure to listen with open ears…be an empathetic and non-judgmental listener.
Encourage action
You’ve taken an important step and asked the question, “ARE YOU OK?” You’ve shown you care by listening to their challenges—now encourage them to take action! Be the voice of hope in their life. Taking the first step is always the hardest so do your best to support them.
Help your friend create a simple action plan
1. Seek professional help.
2. Identify stress triggers.
3. Outline the sources of peace and enjoyability.
4. Seek spiritual guidance and assurance from God, His Word and in Church.
check in and support
A conversation can change a life.
When people are depressed, it’s even harder for them to reach out and ask for help – that is why it is so crucial for you to follow up and continue to be a cheerleader for them. Create a specified day and time to “hang out” and keep the lines of communication open.
Once a person has opened up to you, the worst thing you can do is abandon them. You must continue to show up and be present in their life. You may be the catalyst for them getting well. Even when people may not want help, we can always pray for them.
NOW MAY GOD, THE INSPIRATION AND FOUNTAIN OF HOPE, FILL YOU TO OVERFLOWING WITH UNCONTAINABLE JOY AND PERFECT PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM. AND MAY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUALLY SURROUND YOUR LIFE WITH HIS SUPER-ABUNDANCE UNTIL YOU RADIATE WITH HOPE!
Romans 15:13
Prayer
No matter the place you stand, God is always ready and willing to hear you. He loves you and cares for you deeply.
Father, I Thank You today that You are my good, good Father who loves me beyond measure. I Thank You for all of the good You have done, are doing and will always do in my life. I recognize today, that You have extended Your immeasurable grace and favor towards me and that although I may be standing in a season of struggle, You are with me and moving on my behalf.
Father, Your Word says to cast my cares upon You. Today, I release my cares to You. I choose to give You the burdens of my life. I know that You care. You know the very number of hairs on my head, so I trust that You see the pain I am struggling with. I trust that You see the chaos that has erupted in my mind; and ultimately, I trust that You are stronger and more powerful than anything that seeks to come into my life to create negativity and destruction.
Father, today I come into agreement with Your Word and its Promises. I rebuke the enemy and the attack he has waged on my mind. I command you, devil, to leave my mind alone. In the Name of Jesus, my mind is sound, and
it is under my control. I stand against negativity, depression, anxiety and any other form of mental illness, and I declare that my mind is free. I rebuke fear, knowing that You did not create me with a spirit of fear. You created me with a spirit of power, love and with a sound mind.
Even when I feel alone, I know that You are with me. Even when there seems to be no hope, I know that I always have hope in You. Even when darkness is all I can see, I know Your light is present. Father, I ask that Your supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding fill my heart and mind. Strengthen me as I walk towards deliverance and peace. I believe that Your miracle-working power is setting into motion total restoration and victory in my life.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Declaration
There is healing and life available to you as you speak the Word of God. Confess these on a daily basis.
I am healed.
I am free from depression. I am free from anxiety. I am free from mental illness.
God has not given me a spirit of fear so I am not afraid.
In fact, I will not fear because greater is He that is alive on the inside of me than any feeling, emotion, sickness or disease.
My mind is not chaotic. It is peaceful and orderly.
I think good thoughts, thoughts full of faith and hope.
My mind functions according to the way You designed it to.
I believe that You died so that I can live the God kind of life. I will live and enjoy the God kind of life!
My days are good days, days full of hope, joy and laughter.
I declare that Your peace abounds in my life, and I am a living testimony of Your health, welfare and prosperity.
I believe that You have made every kind of good available to me, and Your good is my reality.
I am full of hope!
I have a confident expectation for my life.
I will live a good life, a long life and a satisfied, happy, hopeful life!
I place my trust in You and choose to rest in the finished works of the cross. I am healed, redeemed and delivered from all forms of mental illness.
Bible Promises
God's Word is Full of Promises that will Encourage You
- JEREMIAH 29:11
- ROMANS 15:13
- HEBREWS 6:18-19
- 1 PETER 1:3
- PSALM 39:7
- PSALM 18:1-2
- 2 CORINTHIANS 9:8
- JOHN 16:33
- ROMANS 8:38-39
- ISAIAH 40:31
- PHILIPPIANS 4:6-8
- PSALM 40:1-3
- 1 PETER 5:6-7
- ISAIAH 43:1-3
- DEUTERONOMY 31:8
- PSALM 34:17
- GALATIANS 5:22
- PSALM 144:15
- PHILIPPIANS 4:4
- PSALM 118:24
- PSALM 28:7
- JOHN 16:22
