He Does Listen

A few days ago I was seriously struggling. My thoughts and feelings were getting out of control and I knew I needed help. At that point I started praying that Heavenly Father would send me someone to help. A text or phone call from someone or a surprise visit. Anything. I knew he had the ability to inspire someone to help. I prayed and continued to have to fight and the way I could see it, my prayer was never answered. Nobody ever came to help. It frustrated me and made me feel like Heavenly Father abandoned me at my hour of most need. Why would he leave me alone like that? I talked to a friend and she said he was with me and I wasn't alone. I didn't believe her. All I knew was I went through a lot and felt so alone. 

Tonight I've been thinking and praying about that experience. While praying it suddenly hit me that he did answer my prayer, just not in the way I thought he would. He didn't send me a friend or family member. He was there instead. As I thought about that I felt peace. He really was there. He was the reason I was able to get back up again and recover. I would have been lost if he weren't there. My friend was right, he was with me, I just needed to figure that out for myself. 

Tender Mercies

A couple months ago, I gave a talk on mercy, specifically on the tender mercies of the Lord in our lives. We were short on time so I wasn't able to share one part of my talk. The part I wasn't able to share is how tender mercies play a role in our trials. I really believe that one of the times we will see the largest amount of tender mercies in our lives is during our trials. Looking for tender mercies during our trials can buoy us up and help us through the refiner's fire.

Elder Bednar, in a talk called "The Tender Mercies of the Lord", said

"The Lord's tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility, invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings."

I believe that tender mercies that come during our trials are not a coincidence at all. The fact that I was able to find a better doctor because of a meeting I went to was not a coincidence. It was not a coincidence that I have received phone calls at critical moments of this trial. That texts have come when I've needed them most. That one of my boys has given me a hug without knowing that I really needed one. Tender mercies are all around us!

During one particular difficult night, I woke in the middle of the night with this trial heavy on my mind. As I struggled through I finally climbed out of bed and knelt down. I offered up to Heavenly Father the most fervent prayer of my life. As I did so, I immediately felt peace overcome me. Enough peace to help me through the night. He didn't fix my trial, but he provided me comfort to make my load a little easier. The Lord's timing in that experience showed me that this was a tender mercy sent from the Lord.

It can be so hard to look around us during our trials and see how much the Lord is lifting us up and supporting us. However, if we take the time to do so, our burdens will be lighter. I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord in my life. Noticing those tender mercies has made my burden lighter.

How Can I Help?

One of the questions I receive a lot (my husband gets it too) is "How can I help?". I think we all ask this question a lot. That goes right along with the general comment you hear of "Let me know if you need anything". As I've thought about those two statements, I've realized people really do want to help but they don't know what they can do. So, here if a list of suggestions for all of you. If you know someone struggling with bipolar or depression, here are some things you can do to help:

• Pray. It sounds so simple and easy, but it helps.
• Follow the promptings you receive. Today in conference, President Monson said we should act on promptings immediately. Do not postpone any promptings you receive. I can't emphasize that enough. 
• Mail a letter or a card
• Don't be afraid to make a phone call
• Send an email saying you're thinking about them
• Text the person just to say hi
• One big secret, when I'm feeling down, I'm not going to call someone just to talk, it's too hard. So, saying, "let me know if I can help" just doesn't work cause I'm not going to ask for help. I'm pretty sure the same goes for lots of people in my situation.

I'm sure there are many more ways you can help, but when it really comes down to it, the best thing you can do is act on the promptings you receive. Heavenly Father knows the needs of all of us better than we know, he will guide us to ways to help those in need.

On another note, feel free to share my blog with others or even on Facebook. My goal with this blog is to help others who are dealing with bipolar disorder in their family and to hopefully add some spiritual views to what I have learned in this journey.

Pray Vocally

Some days my thoughts just race. I feel like my head is spinning with a hundred different thoughts at once. One thing I have tried to help calm me down is prayer. It helped some but my mind still raced through the thoughts. During one of these moments I felt impressed to pray out loud. As I followed through on that prompting my thoughts immediately slowed down and I was able to focus on the words I was saying to my Heavenly Father. I felt close to him and knew he was listening. What a blessing prayer can be!