My name is Christy. I'm 34 years old but most days I feel 84. It's sad when I can easily compare ailments with my 80+ year old grandmas. I've had migraines for 22 years. Sinus issues for 15 years. And I've felt my health significantly decline with each pregnancy. My suspicions of fibromyalgia became a reality when I was diagnosed last year. I've also struggled with depression and anxiety pretty much my whole life. I was diagnosed when I was a small girl.
I've been married for 13 years with 3 children. Most days I feel like I've been run over. I struggle daily with just trying to be normal. I love being a mom more than anything but feel like I'm constantly failing because I can't keep up. I'm ready to get heathy. I'm ready to be the mom I dreamed of being when I was young. I'm ready to fight for myself! I can do hard things! Because you know what I've already been doing hard things! But I'm ready to do the hard things to feel better. To be whole again. To feel normal. Here's to our journey to wellness!
This last general conference touched me in a way I cannot describe. More than once, I felt the speaker was talking directly to me. But not more than when Elder Holland spoke. I've never had talk more directed to me than his. He spoke right to my heart. I can't think of him or his talk now without tears rolling down my face and feeling His love. And when I say His love, I'm referring to my Savior! I needed that talk more than I'd like to admit. I've been feeling so down and out these last few months. My health is at an all time low and my depression has kicked into high gear as a result. I've had thoughts cross my mind that I'd rather not share. I'm so very grateful, beyond grateful for my Savior. For his ultimate sacrifice. I know He knows me and He loves me! I'm grateful for my family and for my dear friends that continually pray for me and encourage me. And because of those blessings in my life, I can do hard things! And I will not give up! This is a fight that I am going to win!
Elder Holland Oct 2013 general conference
So how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love? Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.”4Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.5
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