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Thoughts Along the Way
Thursday, November 13, 2008
HALT!
I received the devotional below from a dear friend today. As I read it, I just knew I needed to post it here to share. As moms, we are often faced with different times in our lives that can potentially lead us to depression. It is so helpful to know that we can be aware and prepared to act to help ourselves from falling in too deep.
First of all, let me state that I am not a professional! I do not know all the ins and outs of clinical depression. I am just a mom who has dealt with some depression in my life. I am not against seeking professional help, and am all for medication if it is needed.
When I realized that I was depressed, the Lord was beginning me on a journey to learn to depend more on Him. I began to really personalize His Word and see how it related so personally to my life and what I was going through. I started praying passages to Him and seeing how He would guide me to specific Scriptures to teach me, heal me and/or comfort me.
In this season of pouring out into my children's lives, it is vital that I am being filled by my Lord and doing the things that help me to be able to serve and love with a joyful heart.
With that said, I share with you the thoughts below... I hope you find them helpful.
From Quiet Moments with God devotional:
Hebrews 12:1 TLB Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up.
Those who counsel the clinically depressed often suggest the HALT! method to their patients. HALT is an acronym based upon these four words:
. Hungry
. Angry
. Lonely
. Tired
Too much of any of these conditions can result in a stress overload and lead to a downward spiral that eventually crashes into a form of depression. When two or more of these conditions are present, the downward plunge happens faster, with greater pain. And, if all four conditions are present as an ongoing pattern in a person's life, the person's depression may not only be deep, but life itself may be endangered.
To compound the problem, hunger anger, loneliness, and exhaustion tend to cluster together. If you are overly tired, it's easier to become angry. If you have missed a meal, you are likely to get tired more quickly, and so forth.
Therefore, any time you are feeling too hungry, too angry, too lonely, or too tired...it's time to call a HALT! and to take immediate remedial action. Have a healthy bite to eat. Release your anger in prayer, exercise, or an act of reconciliation. Call a friend, and pour out your heart. Take a nap, or go to bed early.
"Call it to a halt" and "enough is enough" are well-known phrases we need to apply on a daily basis. Don't neglect your personal nutrition. Get enough sleep. Balance your life with friendships. Live in peace with the people around you.
As you prepare to come to the end of your workday, it's especially important you remember to HALT!. Don't push yourself into overdrive, even if you have to work overtime. Avoid setting yourself up for a crash by staying well fed, calm, in touch with friends, and refreshed.
"Holy Leisure" refers to a sense of balance
in the life, an ability to be at peace through
the activities of the day, an ability to rest
and take time to enjoy beauty.
An ability to pace ourselves.
-- Richard Foster
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Thursday, November 13, 2008 - HI!
BTW i like your blog.
P.S.
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http://homeschoolblogawards.com/best-teen-gal-blog-2008/