By Nancy Virden (c)2024

Here in Northeast Ohio, it is about 4 degrees. Wasn’t it just two weeks ago we were running around in 70-degree weather? It is the time of year for snow, and we’ve got it! The temperature will rise and fall again many times before Spring and we’ll roll with it. We aren’t new to this hot-warm-cold roller-coaster.

In the mental health realm,  I’ve learned it is somewhat in our power to decide how to react to emotional roller-coasters like mood swings, anxiety attacks, and those good days followed by not-so-good ones. Feelings influence us strongly but ultimately do not own us.

However, the generic “you can control your responses” is inaccurate. We do not always have control over our knee-jerk reactions and fears, especially when a perceived threat has occurred. Trauma affects how one perceives the world, so to a woman sexually abused as a child, men may seem scary. A man approaches her and she reacts with distrust. Whether this is recognized by anyone other than herself depends on her visible behavior.

Her choice is to respond with a smile, keeping her distrust and fears hidden. Or she may be angry, sarcastic, or shy. This is where we have the most control over our responses. On the inside, where the fear and distrust live, maybe we do not have any more control than we have over the weather.

Perhaps you have social anxiety. Maybe you struggle with an eating or mood disorder. Trauma in your past or present might have you believing there is no hope. Here’s the wonderful news- you get to choose how to respond outwardly, challenging those emotions.

Social anxiety? Today may not be the day you do a meet and greet with the neighbors. We have limits, and that’s ok. Maybe taking your step forward will mean making a phone call and saying hello to a friend. Acknowledge your courage!

Eating disorder?  Your step toward change may be reaching out for support today. It’s a good idea to remember we alone are powerless against food addiction and compulsive food behaviors. We need people and the Highest Power for strength.

Mood disorder? You have a choice to do something different from what is not working for you. For example, in deep depression movement may only mean sitting up in bed for a few minutes. If you manage that, applaud yourself!  

Hopeless? This dark and shallow pit in which you live today is not your home. You don’t have to stay there. When options seem to have run out,  a choice remains – we can hope for hope. We have to know that our perception is incomplete. Hope is hiding behind oppressive memories, chilling fear, or self-hatred. We think we know how worthless we are, and believe our pain will never offer a break. Hope will reveal itself a little at a time as we work with knowledgeable support to slowly remove the obstacles.  You can hope for hope today, even this moment.

For more practical ideas, see my post, Gain a Mindset of Hope.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

1 Corinthians 1:12-13

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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