Last November I was put on a mood stabilizing medication by my new mental health medical practitioner. It worked wonders! I thanked God daily for that medication (and I am pretty sure my family did too). Unfortunately, as I wrote in my last blog, because of a severe reaction, I had to stop taking it last week. And so I am once again back to a brain without a stabilizer. It's okay and it will be fine. As my husband reminded me, I've lived all my life except for a few months, without one. Prior to the mood stabilizer we had a fantastic life. While on it we had a fantastic life. And without we will continue to have a fantastic life. I am looking forward to a new medication though. Until then, I am thankful for what I have found out about the miraculous, God-given characteristics of an effective medication. Medications can be used too much or abused by some (and some medications are not good), but overall, modern medications are gifts from God. Also, within my current situation, I am more and more thankful for the journey God has me on. What about you? Have you relapsed (lapsed back) in some area? | Definition of relapse (both verb and noun): Definitions verb (rɪˈlæps ) (intransitive) 1. to lapse back into a former state or condition, esp one involving bad habits 2. to become ill again after apparent recovery noun (rɪˈlæps , ˈriːˌlæps ) 3. the act or an instance of relapsing 4. the return of ill health after an apparent or partial recovery |
It's easy for us to condemn ourselves when we falter. God doesn't want us to do that. He doesn't condemn us. He isn't surprised by any misstep we take or failing. He knows we need Him for life growth. He is the Source of all life.
Writer Judith Couchman writes, God "commanded us to go, grow and change the world."
We can't do any of that without Him. Relapses remind us of this. Relapses, missteps, failures, remind us who we are without Christ and who we can be in Him.
If you've fallen back in some area, praise God. Praise God for the reminder that you are (as all of us humans are) like flowers and grass. Peter writes, "The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the Word of the LORD abides forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
Honesty with God and yourself is so necessary, especially when dealing with areas we are struggling with. God will meet you there -- in your honesty, in your vulnerabilty -- and He will give you grace and strength and peace.