Because of Him

Over the last six weeks I have chosen to work on having less depression, anxiety, and fear in my life. This wasn’t something I could easily quantitate on calendar, but more something I need to tell as a story. Ironically, I was anxious to pick this as my topic because it wasn’t something I could control. It’s not like last semester where I committed to an act of service each day, something that I could just write down if I did it or not. No matter how hard I try, there are days that I am simply unable to control my emotions, so I couldn’t even just say I was going to not do it. So my goal for the semester was to not let these days win, to find a way to overcome them and move on to the next day.

I decided that there were three things I was going to do each day. First, I needed to make sure I was taking all my medicine. I am being treated for depression and anxiety by my medical doctor, and he reminds me all the time that in order for my medicines to work, I need to take them as prescribed. I have a habit of skipping doses and that catches up with me faster than I think each time. Second, I promised myself that I would ask for blessings in my daily prayers to help ease my anxieties. I have found that, even in personal prayers, it is much easier to ask for help for others than yourself. Third, I decided that when I do have bad days, not to dwell on it. This is easier said than done, but I found that if I worked on it, it always made the next day easier.

Now that the six weeks are over, I can clearly see the difference that these three simple steps have made in my life. What started out as an assignment has turned into a habit. I also have come to see that through prayer and honest communication with my Heavenly Father that the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for me has made it possible for me to be healed through the Atonement. My problems haven’t been wiped away, but they have been made easier.