Date Published: 05/13/2021

Mrs Noble

Man was created as a triune being, having a body, mind and spirit. While much focus is placed on the body and the spirit, somehow the mind always seems to be neglected. There are no shortages of fitness centers, gymnasiums and religious edifices, while access to mental health facilities although much needed is almost non existent. The stigma attached to seeking mental help also makes it difficult for many to accept the help that is desperately needed.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well being. It affects how we think, act, feel and respond in our daily lives. It determines how we react to stress, our interpersonal interactions with others and untimately the choices that we make. A part of mental health is dealing with unresolved trauma: divorce of parents, death of a loved one, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, community violence, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder etc., all of which requires emotional healing.

Emotional healing is the ability to acknowledge events and circumstances in our lives that may prevent us from moving forward, walking in our purpose and reaching our greatest potential. It’s a process that allows us to navigate and take control of our thoughts, feelings and emotions.

After being raped, mentally and physically abused and not dealing with those feelings that emerged from deep within, I plunged into emotional chaos which led to depression and a suicide attempt on my life. The mental, physical and sexual trauma that I experienced in the past had me on an emotional roller coaster; happy and chipper one moment and down in the dumps moments later. My mood swings were predicated on how I was coping mentally at any given time. After many years of living in a state of mental and emotional bondage I made a conscious decision to face and fight my inner demons. I had kept my abuse a secret for far too long, and the time had reached to free myself from it.

After much prayer and deliberation I reached out to my Spiritual Leader, Pastor Carol Fernandez, as I was directed by the Lord to do so. I shared with her my traumas, anxieties, my feelings of inadequacy, and my mental and emotional fragility. This was the most difficult, yet liberating and empowering part of my journey towards healing. 1Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, Confirm strengthen and establish you.” I decided to step back and allow the Lord to work from deep within the depths of me: my heart, my mind, my soul; so that I could be set free and fully delivered from self destructive path that I was on.

Healing begins in the mind: Philippians 2:5 states, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This is when the peace of God began to reign supreme in my life. John 14:27 also tells us, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I didn’t allow my troubles to consume me or to take over my mind. I simply embraced the peace of God which allowed me to go through my healing process. As you too begin to heal, remember that healing is not rushed, it’s an everyday process.

Here are several steps to achieving emotional healing:

• Acknowledge the trauma, the pain associated with it and how it affects your life
• Seek help from a therapist and surround yourself with people that uplift and encourage you.
• Be patient with yourself while you heal.
• Engage in self care: nature walks, healthy foods, meditation, sufficient rest.
• Talk to others about your trauma if and when you’re ready to.
• Let go of all anger, guilt and shame.
• Forgive yourself and others.

May the peace of the Lord which surpasses all understanding, rest upon you as you continue your journey to healing.

*Janice R. Johnson*
CEO/Founder
Girl Time Experience