Hello at all readers. Thank you for still visiting here, despite my long absence. I last posted here on the 22nd of May, the day I started taking an additional antidepressant and anxiolytic to help me cope with my persistent, severe dread.
This problem dates back to my earliest childhood. I understand it well, and have worked for years to gain insight into it. I have had massive amounts of therapy of every possible kind that might help, including, most recently, clinical hypnotherapy. However, nothing has ever enabled me to overcome my emotions, or to live with them more comfortably.
When I realised I could go on no longer, I accepted the additional drug my doctor prescribed. For the first few weeks this drug was quite helpful. However, as soon as I started taking it, I lost all ability to pray, to hear God’s voice, and to write.
To begin with, of course, I did not know that these losses would continue, but that is, in fact, the case. Slowly, I am learning to rely on much-loved prayers I memorised long ago. Now I am trying to build a new life without the easy sense of oneness with God which sustained me for so many years, and without the daily inspiration which generated all the resources on this website.
In the last couple of weeks I have also started to face a new issue. As my body and mind grow accustomed to the new drug, anxiety and depression are creeping back. This means that the dose may soon need to be increased. Tomorrow I am due to report back to my GP, so it will be interesting to see what she advises.
All this leaves the future of Take Heart still unsettled. Last week a longstanding follower very kindly wrote to me. His letter prompted me to post this message here today, and to think more clearly about the future. One possibility is that my blog could resume in a new form, perhaps as an honest spiritual and mental health journal. Meanwhile, I continue to inhabit and explore my new spiritual territory – a life without any of the easy closeness to Christ I used to love so much.
Do let me know if you think this might be helpful to you.
With much love, from Ruth xxx
Oh my goodness. I have a letter sitting here to be posted.
Not just coincidence that another reader felt to write at the same time.
Maybe God is working through others to give you a rest through medication.
Just think, if I spoke incessantly to you, I hope you would have the courage to ask for peace.
But God isn’t human, is He? So he is infinitely speaking to, and through us.
You’re so receptive just let Him help you.
Maybe you can get trusted readers to send prayers to you which you can post. Like a Prayer Clerk of sorts?
Love you Ruth, be gentle with yourself. And when I can, I’ll post my letter
Xxx
Dear Paula, thank you so much for your very kind words and suggestion. All I can do is to hope that the way forward will slowly unfold as time goes by. Not being able to pray and write is a huge change, and a major loss of meaning in my life, but God knows best, so I must wait in faith. Bless you for your care and concern. With love from Ruth xxx
First take care of yourself which is so important and just ask God had to move forward to any changes for your blog
Blessings
Thank you so much for those kind words, Eileen. All I can do is to wait, whilst asking to know God’s will. The blog is a huge loss, but I have always known that it depended entirely on what God gave me, and that it would end one day. I just didn’t expect it to be now, or to feel like such a loss. Take care with love from Ruth xxx
I will keep you in my daily prayers
Thank you so much, Eileen. I deeply appreciate your support XXX
Antidepression medication can be a double edge sword, when I was first prescribed some the one I was prescribed had a negative effect on my personality causing me to act in a way that wasn’t me
Hi, Joanne, yes, antidepressants are powerful drugs. I have been on one since 2005, but yesterday my new consultant suggested we change it, which would be a big deal. Today I am taking a whole day’s rest with a migraine. I do hope you found something that helped in the end XXX