Monday was a doozy.
I woke up with not only a raging headache but with a heart-pounding anxiety attack as well. I have no idea why, or where it came from. But I did learn something that day.
There are times when, despite what I know to do, I am not able to do it for myself.
I know to pray against anxiety–to ask for peace, to acknowledge that God is still in control, to place my thoughts captive to Christ, to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable…and so on. But sometimes knowing and doing are two different things.
Sometimes, I need help.
I told my husband (who is out of town this week) so he could be praying, and then I put out a call to a small group of women who are committed to praying for one another. I told them exactly what was going on and what I needed. Their responses made me cry–the good kind of cry. And though I continued to struggle the rest of the day, it wasn’t a desperate struggle where I couldn’t function. I was able to do school, fix meals, take a nap, and be mostly mentally “there” for my kids.
I know it was because they were praying for what I could not pray for myself.
So why do I tell you this? Two reasons, really.
The first:
- Be honest with yourself and with a few trusted friends or family members. Don’t pretend that everything’s ok–that you can handle it alone–when it’s not and you can’t.
- If a friend asks you to pray and you say that you will, please do so. I know it sounds simple, but it needs saying. We’re busy people. We have good intentions, but we get sidetracked. That friend may be in a desperate battle that she cannot fight on her own.
Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Good to have friends who are willing to approach The Healer on your behalf. That is what friends are for and you have some good ones 🙂
Yes, I feel very blessed to have the group of praying friends that I do! I’m glad you found me over here. 🙂