Relationships

Sometimes, what's growing around us is what's keeping us from making progress.
Can you look around today and identify a habit, relationship, friendship, media we are consuming, or thought patterns that are hurtful?
#AutismSpectrumDisorder #ADHD #Anxiety #Agoraphobia #ADHD #BingeEatingDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #CeliacDisease #Depression #Epilepsy #EatingDisorder #KidneyDisease #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Cancers #Grief #Lupus #Migraine #SensoryProcessingDisorder #ChildLoss #POTS #PTSD #Trauma #Suicide #Schizophrenia #SjogrensSyndrome #RestlessLegsSyndrome #Endometriosis #InterstitialCystitis #HearingLoss #Deafness #SuicidalThoughts #Selfcare #Selfharm #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #JointHypermobilitySyndrome

It’s crazy to me, the assumptions that people automatically make when I divulge that I’m a Christian.

That it was simply the path of least resistance. That I was born into a church-going home and adopted viewpoints that I never questioned. That I’m sheltered, close-minded, and would surely leave the faith if I’d open my eyes.

The truth is, becoming a Christian went against everything my parents taught me. I lost all of my friends. My high school creative writing teacher tried to de-convert me. Nothing in my environment supported my decision. It was hard. I have never regretted it.

I taught a mini sermon on The Book of Ruth Saturday for leadership class at church. What struck me was how Ruth left everything comfortable and familiar in Moab to follow Naomi and be with God’s people. Naomi begged her to stay back. She wanted to spare Ruth the isolation and rejection she would surely face.

Of course, Ruth’s story has a miraculous, very happy ending. But what if she was an outcast in Bethlehem, and died lonely? That would be so sad. But ultimately, she would gain a reward in eternity that would never have happened if she stayed back with Orpah in Moab.

My son shared a message with me today by a woman named Farmer Girl on Facebook. This passage especially struck me:

“Following Christ may cost you comfort. It may cost you popularity. It may cost you opportunities, relationships, or dreams you thought your life would include. For many believers around the world, it still costs their freedom and even their lives.

But it will never cost more than Christ is worth.

The safest place you will ever be is not the place with the fewest problems.

It is the place where you are faithfully walking with the One who has overcome the world.”

#Bipolar #Depression #GAD #OCD # PTSD

Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid difficult things. We put off exercising because it's uncomfortable. We avoid difficult conversations because they're awkward. We neglect our mental health because sitting with our thoughts can feel overwhelming.

The problem is that avoiding those things doesn't make life easier. It usually replaces one challenge with another, and that challenge is often much harder.

The discomfort of exercise can become poor health. The discomfort of looking after your mental health can become years of unnecessary suffering. The discomfort of one honest conversation can become a relationship that slowly falls apart.

Life isn't about finding the easy path. It's about choosing the difficulties that build a better future instead of the ones that slowly make life harder.

What difficult thing have you been putting off that you know would improve your life if you finally faced it?

Also, if you're going through a tough time right now, I want you to know that I post daily mental health videos about how to deal with painful thoughts. So if you or anyone you know is struggling and wants help, click on one of the links below or write me if you have any questions you want me to answer:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhage

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

Pauley and I discussed our new friend last night. She didn't know our friend thought it was a date. Pauley isn't interested in her. Neither am I. But we like her as a friend.
But the idea of taking on a third person for a throuple never crossed my mind until now. I'd like to find myself a boyfriend someday. I think if she and I could find a guy we're both interested in we'd be much happier.
We had a really unpleasant argument Friday night. We didn't talk it out, we slept a lot and didn't really do anything. But last night we snuggled together and just enjoyed being close. It's really nice when she puts her arms around me.
Anywho. How's your weekend going? We might go to a flea market.
#relationship