The Spiritual Side of Mental Health- Mentalie Me

A higher power. God.

The ‘G’ Word like Jen Sincero says. I don’t know what you believe in and I am not here to thrust my beliefs on you but the biggest thing I want you to take away from this is the importance of understanding your purpose in life and that you were created for more.

I was raised Catholic growing up and I remember dreading every Wednesday and Sunday because that meant bible school and devoting an hour of my young adolescent life to God. I hated church, and I hated that I didn’t understand the Catholic church. To me at the time it was a bunch of singing, kneeling, standing, take the bread and confess your sins. I didn’t like how judgey the Christian religion felt to me growing up in my town. I thought it was a load of crap and mumbo jumbo, yet I also feared it. I stopped going to church in college, I prayed from time to time (mainly when things were tough and I needed that extra help or faith to believe I could do what I needed to get done at the time), but overall I always believed in a God and the High Power but strayed away from church, the bible, or talking to others about it.

My turning point for me in my depression and anxiety was when one of my best gal pals, Paige, told me she was attending a bible study held by other women in the baseball community during this past spring training and she invited me. Rob and I had just received our first bible from one of our close friends and so I thought “what do you have to lose?” and I went to my first bible study in years. Those women poured into my soul and I was able to let go of the things I was harboring from my depression and anxiety. I was able to forgive myself and learn that God has grace on us so I needed to have grace for myself. I dove into the bible and attended that study every week and I finally felt a sense of peace with myself, understanding that what I went through was a part of my story and there was a purpose, and I put my trust in God and let my fears/worries be taken away.

I don’t know if you have ever read You Are a Badass How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero but if you haven’t, I highly recommend picking up the book and really dive into it. Write notes within your book and really incorporate what Jen Sincero says into your life. She literally has a whole chapter called The ‘G’ Word that goes over exactly what I am preaching to you right now. She calls her God, Source Energy and basically points out that good vibes attract good vibes and the importance of being in tune with universe and God.

After I found myself in a much happier and peaceful state of mind I realized that if I wanted to continue living life like this then I needed to continue to be open minded about practicing my faith, meditating to the Word of God, and incorporate it into my life consistently. And guess what guys? IT WORKED.

Religion and Faith looks different for everyone and I am not your typical Christian. Find what works for you. I study and practice my faith by listening to a sermon (my favorite is Pastor Michael Todd, he puts it in a way that helps me understand it and how to apply it to my life), doing a devotional a few times a week, and finding a bible study to do at home.

The biggest things I’ve learned through my practicing my faith and reading Jen Sincero’s book is: 1. “The Universe will match whatever vibration you put out. And you can’t fool the universe.” – Jen Sincero. Basically, if you are being bitter, angry, jealous, hateful, all things negative then you will remain in that suck fest. 2. Always have faith even when life seems so crappy and uncertain (when you feel like you have no reason to be alive or ask “why me?”) 3. You are braver than you know. Say yes to the things you fear, The High Power is always guiding you. Let your faith be bigger than your fear you live one precious, unique life. 4. The Higher Power already knows your heart so always be honest and do not fear to speak to the High Power. God. 5. Have GRACE for yourself. Grace enables us to get through life’s biggest and toughest battles.

No matter your beliefs this is what helped me turn my life around, brought understanding to my struggles, and helps me live a more peaceful life.

Here are a few of my favorite sermons from Transformation Church and Pastor Michael Todd.