Posted: Nov 19, 07 1:49am
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Being struck with mental illness is a deep valley. One that takes months, years, perhaps almost a life time to climb out. It is a valley which depth cannot be anticipated or described with any accuracy. We alone know how sufferable this dwelling place was or is.
In geology a valley is a long depression in the surface of the land. An accurate description of the mental depression on the surface of our soul as we struggle to return to normalcy. We are comforted to know we traveled not alone to this place as we first had thought, but that the Lord, the Good Shepherd, was there with us walking slightly ahead. Leading with His rod and staff. Comforting us and eventually ridding us of the fear that overtook us that day of our arrival. Slowly we came to accept this was not a land of permanence, but merely a challenge in life.
Others appear to not have to walk this path until the valley comes to them on their day of homecoming when they must leave all they were familiar with. We have already partially left behind those things we were not only familiar with, but quite comfortable with. Our mental health, are self-esteem and confidence, even the admiration some of us were blessed by from other people in our life were stripped away. Never again will we hear the words, "I admire the strong person you are." Most see us as weaklings for not being able to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps before this mental affliction overcame us.
We know better, We know that all flesh does suffer in this life; and that ours was brain and not skin. Yes, we know the depth of the valley, but we pause to praise God who created the valley and did not keep us there forever. We are making our way back into society and we know that One who makes the path level.
