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07/08/2024

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04/30/2024

12/04/2023

"EZER KENEGDO"
I love how John Elderidge defines the word helpmate in his book "Wild at Heart." Listen to these words...

Eve is given to Adam as his "ezer kenegdo" — or as many translations have it, his "help meet" or "helper." Doesn't sound like much, does it? It makes me think of Hamburger Helper. But Robert Alter says this is "a notoriously difficult word to translate." It means something far more powerful than just "helper"; it means "lifesaver." The phrase is only used elsewhere of God, when you need him to come through for you desperately. "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you" (Deut. 33:26). Eve is a life giver; she is Adam's ally. It is to both of them that the charter for adventure is given. It will take both of them to sustain life. And they will both need to fight together.

09/30/2023

Anxiety is like...
I am teaching a class on abnormal psych and the following are the responses from the class!

TO ME ANXIETY IS LIKE...

Trying to keep your head above water as you attempt not to sink.

Being locked in a dark room, not knowing what is in the room with you.

Standing on the shore but imagining all the possible ways someone could drown.

Fighting an internal war, with external consequences.

An intruder entering my mind, threatening to take over everything, stealing my joy, and leaving behind a mess to sort.

Getting the wind knocked out of you and trying to regain your breath.

Holding your breath but you are not able to let it out.

Standing in an empty room and the walls start getting closer and you feel like you don’t have enough mental or physical energy to figure out how to get out; all you can see is the walls becoming tighter around you.

Running a hundred miles per hour, but never getting anywhere, and not knowing why you are running.

Walking into a room and as the door closes it locks and all the lights go out.

Being trapped in a room with only windows that lead to other rooms, with no doors.

You are constantly gasping for air and the moment you are submerged in water, the numbing quiet, you can finally breathe.

Running a marathon without training.

Having a rowboat with no oars.

Treading water to the point of beginning to drown.

ANXIETY IS A VERY REAL THING. It is more than worry or concern. Anxiety is ultimately a lack of confidence that you can encounter life and be okay. Soon this lack of confidence turns into fear, and not very long after we begin to "fear the fear." Anxiety is marked by racing thoughts and strong overwhelming sensations in the body. These physical feelings can at times become very intense and have an impending sense of doom associated with them. Heart rate and breathing may increase to an uncomfortable or even fearful level and sleep, appetite, responsibilities, and relationships can be affected. If you experience any of these symptoms you need to know there is hope. You can experience life without the overwhelm and associated fear.

09/30/2023

Depression is like...
I am teaching a class on abnormal psych and the following are the responses from the class!

TO ME DEPRESSION IS LIKE...
.. a clock that needs new batteries. There is a constant ticking, but the hands never move the time forward.
.. seeing everyone else move forward while you are unable to move."
.. a clock ticking away but the hands on it never move.
.. being trapped in a bubble, where you can see what is going on around you, and see what you need to do, but can't move.
.. doom and gloom lurking over every area in your life, bringing darkness to even the most common joys.
.. being pulled down by gravity and not being able to move.
.. being tied to a weight but trying to untie it with mittens on.
.. walking around with goggles and earmuffs everything is dull and muted, nothing is exciting.
.. spiraling down into a dark pit with sinking mud. It feels like you're all alone, there's no light. and no way to get out.
.. everyday is a cloudy day. You feel like the sun will never come out.
.. rejection on steroids."
.. knowing I am about to fall off the cliff, but not caring enough to do anything about it.
.. having a storm cloud following above the head all day long.
.. walking through waste-deep sludge while carrying heavy chains.

DEPRESSION IS VERY DIFFICULT AND DIFFERENT FOR EACH PERSON. If you struggle with depression, know that there is help and hope. There is a way through and there are answers. You are not alone.