By Nancy Virden (c)2024

The first time I heard that phrase I had been apologizing for needing to process aloud, and said, “Oh, it’s not important.” My listener said, “If it is important to you then it is important.” That freed me to hash out some memories with him and to settle the matter in my mind.

Finding a kind listener and laying out feelings, plans, uncertainties, and joys has always been helpful to me. Not everyone experiences that type of processing. I know a younger woman who processes via text. One man prefers email. Problems seem to occur when one person communicates in the opposite way of the other.

All emotions are valid. I am not describing letting every emotion out all the time. No, we adults have better control than that, or should. However, the feeling itself is valid and is not to be so easily dismissed if it is pervasive and lingering.

One woman said in a depression support group, “Why are we whining when Japan has a Tsunami?” We were not whining, only expressing how we felt which was necessary for healing. Emotions are not subject to comparison.

God is always eager to listen when we approach him humbly and sincerely.

If it is important to you, it is important.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

1 Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

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.

_{HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/}. “Others have it worse than you.”