1.
devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2.
characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself:selfish motives.
I seriously had to look this word up to help myself understand it. This action alone struck me as odd considering how selfish I was before I was a mother. I now call that time of my life "Planet Jessica" with a hint of laughter, but deep down I know its no joke; I was completely wrapped up in my own interests and emotions and completely devoted to only what concerned me.
Since becoming a mother and giving my life completely to Christ, I've done a complete 180. There's no middle ground with me. It was all about me before, and now its all about God.
I guess I'm writing this today because I have recently been reminded of how hard it is to be around selfish people. I know God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28-29) and I know His thoughts and plans are Higher than mine (Isaiah). I know He has a plan and a purpose to prosper me and my family and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah). I just have to keep myself in remembrance of these things as I go about my daily life and face these daily challenges.
God never said it would be easy, but He did promise to never leave me or hurt me. AND, He promised to be faithful to His Word.
He never said I wouldn't have trouble - in fact, He said I WOULD have trouble and that I should consider it wholly joyful whenever I am enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. I can be assured and understand that the trial and proving of my faith brings endurance and patience! And when endurance and patience have full play and do a thorough work, I may be perfectly and fully developed lacking no good thing (James 1). That's exciting!
I've been reading a lot lately about depression... likely due to Robin Williams' suicide. It seems many people have many different opinions on the subject and I guess I felt I should weigh in as well. Depression is both a chemical imbalance in the brain - a disease that does not care if you are rich, poor, healthy, funny, attractive, religious or anything else - and a spirit of the enemy. A spirit of oppression. Therefore, I believe we can not treat it in just one way. We can't just treat it medically, or clinically and ignore the spiritual warfare; nor can we just stand on the Word and pray while we're being attacked by the spirit of depression and not seek medical help.
This, I know from experience. Sometimes in some faith circles, getting medical help for mental disease is frowned upon as if seeking that medical help is a sign of spiritual weakness. From a position of being judged by both people of faith and people of medicine, I'd just like to say that it is in no way a sign of weakness to overcome both those groups' comments and to fully stick to what I know to be the right way to a full and healthy lifestyle for me. With God I can do all things, and without Him I can do nothing, so I have to press on beyond the opinions of others - however much they may love me and have only good intentions - and keep my focus on what God has planned for me.
I've found that medication was only the first step to a long list of "to do's" on my path to healing. I'm no where near done, but I know I'm on my way. Sometimes, like lately, I get hit with a blow to the heart that knocks me back a bit and has me seeking my "happy". I look around and read all the encouraging words and prayers I have posted to keep myself in remembrance of God's love for me and then I look at these precious children in my life that God has trusted me to love and teach. I always remember what Joyce Meyer says about feeling down, "when you feel down, go out and do something for someone else." It's the best advice I think I've ever heard and I now live my life according to that simple rule! It keeps my mind off myself, off my emotions, off whatever has me down and I get lifted up by blessing someone else! That's God's design! He designed us to need each other! So, take Joyce's advice, when you're down, go bless someone else. You'll both be blessed because of it!
Depression is a selfish thing. It just consumes your emotions with thoughts of defeat and makes you believe that no one cares about how "you" feel. That's why getting out and blessing someone else - even in the smallest way - can help you overcome that depression and bless that other person at the same time! I know its hard. I've been there. I've been so low that I thought I would never come out of it. But by the grace of God, I did! I didn't do it alone, and I'm still not "fully developed" as it says in James, but I know God is on my side every step of the way and He's not mad at me.
He's not mad at you either. Ask Him for help if you need it. He's there and He's willing. Then get out and love on someone. Smile. Share a hug. Help your daycare provider with a project. Bake your neighbor cookies. #Live2Give
-Jess :)
I've been reading a lot lately about depression... likely due to Robin Williams' suicide. It seems many people have many different opinions on the subject and I guess I felt I should weigh in as well. Depression is both a chemical imbalance in the brain - a disease that does not care if you are rich, poor, healthy, funny, attractive, religious or anything else - and a spirit of the enemy. A spirit of oppression. Therefore, I believe we can not treat it in just one way. We can't just treat it medically, or clinically and ignore the spiritual warfare; nor can we just stand on the Word and pray while we're being attacked by the spirit of depression and not seek medical help.
This, I know from experience. Sometimes in some faith circles, getting medical help for mental disease is frowned upon as if seeking that medical help is a sign of spiritual weakness. From a position of being judged by both people of faith and people of medicine, I'd just like to say that it is in no way a sign of weakness to overcome both those groups' comments and to fully stick to what I know to be the right way to a full and healthy lifestyle for me. With God I can do all things, and without Him I can do nothing, so I have to press on beyond the opinions of others - however much they may love me and have only good intentions - and keep my focus on what God has planned for me.
I've found that medication was only the first step to a long list of "to do's" on my path to healing. I'm no where near done, but I know I'm on my way. Sometimes, like lately, I get hit with a blow to the heart that knocks me back a bit and has me seeking my "happy". I look around and read all the encouraging words and prayers I have posted to keep myself in remembrance of God's love for me and then I look at these precious children in my life that God has trusted me to love and teach. I always remember what Joyce Meyer says about feeling down, "when you feel down, go out and do something for someone else." It's the best advice I think I've ever heard and I now live my life according to that simple rule! It keeps my mind off myself, off my emotions, off whatever has me down and I get lifted up by blessing someone else! That's God's design! He designed us to need each other! So, take Joyce's advice, when you're down, go bless someone else. You'll both be blessed because of it!
Depression is a selfish thing. It just consumes your emotions with thoughts of defeat and makes you believe that no one cares about how "you" feel. That's why getting out and blessing someone else - even in the smallest way - can help you overcome that depression and bless that other person at the same time! I know its hard. I've been there. I've been so low that I thought I would never come out of it. But by the grace of God, I did! I didn't do it alone, and I'm still not "fully developed" as it says in James, but I know God is on my side every step of the way and He's not mad at me.
He's not mad at you either. Ask Him for help if you need it. He's there and He's willing. Then get out and love on someone. Smile. Share a hug. Help your daycare provider with a project. Bake your neighbor cookies. #Live2Give
-Jess :)
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