heartofdakota.com

Hello, dear friends. I just wanted to post a short thank you to all of you who encouraged me, advised me, and prayed for me this summer. I had posted about my feelings of burnout awhile back, and I read your responses carefully and considered what each of you had to say. I was so burnt out, that I could not even muster a response at the time, there was a lot swirling around in my brain. I came to the realization that I have been depressed for about a year. Just admitting that made me feel some comfort in knowing that this WOULD come to an end, and that it is temporary, and there are things I can do to change. Actions I can take to take better care of myself- exercise, time to pursue something I enjoy on my own (unrelated to my duties as mom and wife and housekeeper), and most importantly more time really REALLY talking to my Savior and believing His promises for me instead of the lies.

I have made some changes, taking better care of myself (vitamins!), getting together regularly with other women to pray and study what God has to say, His promises. I realized that since I had children, I have poured out all of me, all my time, into them and my home, and my church family, and I am just in need of some nurturing myself. Making a little time for me, and a lot more time with God.

I realized my problems have nothing to do with homeschooling or my children. We're continuing to homeschool, and I have a great deal of hope! I am wrestling with things still, but I can see light now, and I know He is bringing me through the storm for His glory.

"The Lord is my helper and my CHAMPION, in Him my heart hoped, and I was helped, and my flesh revived; And I will give thanks to Him willingly." Psalm 27:7-8

Since there were others feeling so similarly to how I was feeling, I wanted to post to let you know that there IS hope, and it WILL get better.

"The Lord is a refuge for the poor man, a helper in seasons of affliction. And let those who know your name put their hope in you; for You, O Lord, do not forsake those who seek You." Psalm 9:10-11

May His name be praised and glorified, may we give thanks to Him in all seasons.

Praise God! May He lift you up and shelter you in His arms as you work through these things.

Thank you SO much for your update! It is so wonderful to hear you HOPE-FILLED words. So often we go through valleys in life in order that we can help others and to glorify our God in it and through it. You are doing just that! I praise my Father for you and the strength and love He has given to you. What a blessing you are being to others by posting your struggles and trials, by being real and transparent in your walk with Christ.

I pray the Lord's continued peace and presence over you. P.S. One thing that really helps me is to get alone and quiet and listen to some "soaking" music. It is very healing, worshipful and anointed music that the Lord uses to bless and take us through emotional healing. Look into Julie True's music. She has some songs on YouTube as well. I often just light a candle and take a bath or lie in the floor and listen.

Blessings to you and thank you again for this update. It brought joy to my heart to read it.

AMEN. That's great! I've been dealing with some burnout too so much so that I haven't been on the HOD boards in about a month. Your post was really encouraging to me, and I'm praising God for how He Himself is encouraging you.

SO glad to hear this, and so happy for you!

Thank you for updating us and encouraging us. Praise God! He is faithful... and your sharing your journey with us helps us all!

Praise God! How wonderful! Thank you so much for coming back and sharing with us. Your solution had a lot of wisdom in it and I know that will be helpful to m ore than just yourself. Sounds like you made the turn to a closer road to Him in the process. Congratulations!

I'm encouraged to know you are trusting in God's promises! Thanks for sharing!

Thank You so much for your openess. I am so thankful that you are doing better. Your update is such an encourgment to me thank you!!

Rejoicing that you are feeling somewhat better and are wanting to share your testimony to help others. (((HUGS)))

Your post brought tears to my eyes. All I could think the whole way through it was "beauty for ashes and a garment of praise for my heaviness". The group Shane and Shane sang a song with those lyrics from Isaiah 61:3.
Thank you for sharing.
Angie