Undeniably Chelle...
  • THE LOUNGE
  • CHELLE'S BOOK CAFE
    • IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER
    • BEJEWELED I
    • BEJEWELED II
    • BEJEWELED III
    • BEJEWELED IV
    • A Woman's Design: Afflictions
    • A Woman's Design: Redemption
    • Lady Guardians: Wyked
    • Lady Guardians: Rhapsody
    • Bel Amour
    • Shameless Affair
    • REAL SECRETS
    • REFLECTIONS OF PROMISES
  • BEAUTIFULLY INSPIRED BLOG
  • LETTERS FROM THE HEART
  • CONTACT ME

Loving Me: Body, Soul, & MIND...

1/30/2018

10 Comments

 
Picture
Depression, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and other forms of instability can come seemingly out of nowhere to attack our minds, even to the point of paralysis. Honestly, in the black community we often dismiss these things or joke about them to the point of making people feel excluded. However, it's serious and nothing to joke about. Even in my own family (extended) jokes have been made about others who suffer from these issues, and when I faced my own crisis I heard a joke or two passed around about me, amongst family. Let me tell you, it hurts. The most we can do is openly discuss and offer support to anyone who is suffering from some mental health issue.

In August of this past year, I suffered a panic attack from out of nowhere. Driving along I-20 eastbound here in a community of Atlanta, Georgia I suddenly began to feel nervous that morning. Before long, I felt as if I could not control my vehicle in terms of moving to another lane. As I considered pulling off onto the shoulder of the highway, I found that I could not move my foot from the gas to the brake. As if that weren't bad enough I was also unable to pull over into another lane than the one that I happened to occupy.

This was the morning after Hurricane Irma came battling her way through Atlanta leaving the city ravaged, but the citizens thankful that we only suffered mild damage compared with people in other states and islands. Fog hung heavily over the city that morning, almost like a blanket smothering its residents. You could barely see in front of you and the gloom and doom that came with the fog was oppressive in its own right.

Later, I would think back on my experience wondering if the feeling I felt was tied to the weather. I would eventually learn that was not true. Continuing down the highway, I pressed the buttons on the steering wheel trying to call my husband. When prompted to give a command, I could not even open my mouth to speak his name. I tried praying and no words would come forth...eventually, I was able to utter, "Jesus." That's it. When I did, the attack did not stop but I knew that I would make it off that highway safely and to my destination. Tears flowed down my face, my heart rate increased, and I struggled to breathe. I felt as if the car was closing in on me and I became scared I would have an accident or worse be catapulted from the car by some unseen force.

The events that I experienced on that morning steadily grew worse and it was not until I exited the highway at my job's exit that I calmed down. When I parked the car in the lot at work that morning, I called my husband bawling like a baby to share with him what happened. He of course, was very encouraging and loving and wanted to know if he needed to come and get me. I assured him that I would be okay. And I was...for the next few weeks.

In early September it happened again and would continue to happen on a daily basis as I got into the car to drive anywhere. Things got so bad that I began working from home more frequently, and only venturing out if my husband would drive me someplace. When I did go to the office, it was him that would drop me off and pick me up.

During the gradual build up to me not driving at all, I would make daily phone calls to keep my mind occupied off the task of driving. Those calls would include my husband and my mother, and once I received a call from one of my brothers. They would stay on the phone with me until I arrived at my destination, but when it grew to the point that the phone calls did not help, I stopped driving.

Seeking counseling helped a little, but not much. The therapist provided various techniques, which I would have to tweak a little to my specific needs. Sometimes, they helped and sometimes they didn't. Prayers were critical during this time, but it had to be the prayers of my grandmother and others, because I found myself shrinking away from praying the way that I should. As time wore on I noticed a gradual change towards improvement.

The first week of October, my company did RIFs (Reduction in Force), eliminating more than 160 jobs, including my own. Most of us were not really caught off guard, because we knew it was coming...we just weren't sure exactly who it would include. I was not surprised. In all honesty, it came as a relief.

You see, my stress level had grown to inordinate proportions over the previous year and few months. This company was extremely fast paced and the workload caused unrealistic expectations to be set on its workers. Me? As with several others, I rose to the challenge to meet and exceed the expectations. Unfortunately, this meant me working Monday through Sunday, almost nonstop. When I called my husband on the way home that day, his response was "Good! Now, we can finally get you back." I actually hopped on the highway for the first time in over a month. I made it two entire exits, instead of the three required before I got off, and drove the rest of the way home. That day was the first time I had driven myself to work in quite some time.

I had become so buried in my work that I no longer had a life. I felt as if I had something to prove, when in reality I had nothing to prove to any man. Galatians 1:10 says, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." I had lost myself during this time and my journey with Christ was not as close as it should have been. I saw myself slipping further down that slippery slope, yet, I didn't take the steps to draw closer to Him. Instead, I began to conform to the environment I was a part of in my attitude and speech, because it was "easier."

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2

I was never supposed to conform to the climate of the work environment I had been placed in. My mission was to go in and transform it. In some ways I did, but in many ways I took what I perceived was the easy road out. I heard His voice speaking to me several times throughout my tenure there, but I chose to push it down. I chose to act as if I had not heard what I had heard.

When the panic attacks began I focused on the scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Yet, I love how the Amplified version puts it, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]."

As long as I keep my mind stayed on Him, He not only keeps me in perfect peace but He provides me with mental and spiritual stability and clarity and allows me to enjoy the calmness of being in His presence. The battle that I was fighting was not physical but spiritual, because what I was going through was real. The attempts of Satan to thwart my success, my praise, my growth were real, but the God that I serve is bigger and more real than anything I can face. My God, Jehovah Rapha is a mind regulator.

Here we are almost six months after the first occurrence and by the grace of God, I am proud to say that I am doing much better. Prayers, a loving relationship with my husband, children and mother, and support from them and a couple of close friends are what I needed throughout this time. Not condemnation nor judgment.

I don't know if you have ever experienced anything similar or know of someone who has. I have one simple piece of advice: Talk about it and pray. Simple. End of story. #undeniablychelle #myhearttoyours

About Chelle Ramsey...

Picture
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter.
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.

LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for Talk About it Tuesday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.
Picture
10 Comments
Nicole
1/30/2018 01:29:12 pm

This is so beautiful! So encouraging and insightful. I know exactly what you felt. Praise God for those who supported you! 💖 💖 💖

Reply
Chelle Ramsey link
1/30/2018 02:28:06 pm

Thank you, Nicole. I only pray that my message encouraged someone who may be going through their own storm.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2018 04:02:23 pm

Bless you, my sister. My experience was nearly identical! I had a panic attack while driving, went numb and could hardly breathe. I didn't think I would be able to pull over, but managed by the grace of God to stammer out some words to my mother by phone and made it to the shopping center down the street from her house. I had been left in charge of a belligerent group at work while our supervisor was on medical leave and I was unpacking things in a new home with little help from my now ex-husband and Lord knows what else was going on, but I never knew it was weighing on me until that moment. My doctor said the anxiety diagnosis was sky high for black women in their 30s at the time and unprecedented, so I included my experience with this unspoken epidemic in my debut novella, Diary of a Divorcee Diva. This happened close to ten years ago and my priorities are drastically different now. No more Being Superwoman!

Reply
Chelle Ramsey link
1/30/2018 04:07:28 pm

Wow, Michelle! Thank you for sharing this with me. It is so amazing how everything can seem perfectly normal and then get thrown out of whack in an instant. But God! I'm so glad to hear that you made it through. I have been praying for balance and peace since then, and striving to implement it in my life.

Reply
Jennifer Thomas
1/30/2018 08:25:37 pm

This is beautiful and encouraging. I was reminded of when I was laid off. When it was announced, I felt relieved while others were stressing. I was already stressed doing a stressful job, taking care of my mother and dealing with life. I looked at as having one less thing to cause me stress. After I had been laid off, I realized I had been on auto-pilot. I asked myself how the neck I did it. I looked at being laid off as a blessing. It was because I was able to have my mother come home when she was on hospice and spend just about every day with her.

Reply
Chelle Ramsey link
1/30/2018 08:47:49 pm

What a blessing to have those precious moments with her without distractions.

I was home for exactly two months before returning to work, and God used that time to heal and refresh me, Jennifer. He also used that time to show me how I had allowed the very thing He blessed me with (the job) to become a major distraction keeping me from His presence the way I had previously been.

Reply
Matthew & Catherine Irwin link
1/31/2018 07:44:11 am

Hi Chelle
Thank you for your story and openness. We have a 20 yr old daughter who has just been diagnosed with bipolar and I (Matthew) have just been made redundant from a job I gave my heart and soul to with the Church of England. We have been through a very tough couple of months, but know that by the grace of my God we are now where he wants us to be, at home helping our girl to get well.
May God bless you in your journey and may his face shine upon you for your openness.
Thank you for your story
Blessings
Matthew and Catherine

Reply
Chelle Ramsey link
2/3/2018 09:56:17 pm

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story. It is simply a confirmation that it was time for me to share my own.

I truly believe He does work all things together for our good. This leg of your journey did not happen by accident. Focus and pay attention to what He wants you to learn at this juncture and how He will bless you through it. I will lift you and your family up in my prayers.

God bless, stay in touch and keep me posted.

Reply
TG
3/4/2018 07:15:22 pm

I too felt this way, not while driving but I was at work once and felt trapped and hot like I could not get out. My clothes felt tight and I wanted to run away and I actually wanted to snatch off my wig, I'm NEVER hot, always cold feeling and have a heater at work. It was not on, I just felt like I could not find relief and my heart started beating faster and faster until I thought Id pass out. I cried and I too uttered Jesus to help me and I just sat and talked to myself and prayed and calmed down. I'll be so happy soon, God and I work on an exit plan but the stress to our mental health is just not worth it. He will provide but it's hard to step out on faith. Thanks so much for sharing your story. It was really touching and I wish more of us would just tell more of our truth, it would help so many of us struggling!!

Reply
Chelle Ramsey link
3/4/2018 07:47:52 pm

I can only imagine that the feeling you experienced was scary and uncomfortable, because we don't know how it will end. I am so thankful that sharing my testimony has been encouraging to others. I praise God Almighty and to Him be the majesty, glory, dominion, and power.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Chelle's Book Cafe Newsletter

    Subscribe to my mailing list

    * indicates required
    Email Format
    Blog Posts Delivered Via Email

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Author

    Inspirational women's fiction author, writing the script to my beautifully inspired life!

    Be Inspired, Follow Me!

    Archives

    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • THE LOUNGE
  • CHELLE'S BOOK CAFE
    • IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER
    • BEJEWELED I
    • BEJEWELED II
    • BEJEWELED III
    • BEJEWELED IV
    • A Woman's Design: Afflictions
    • A Woman's Design: Redemption
    • Lady Guardians: Wyked
    • Lady Guardians: Rhapsody
    • Bel Amour
    • Shameless Affair
    • REAL SECRETS
    • REFLECTIONS OF PROMISES
  • BEAUTIFULLY INSPIRED BLOG
  • LETTERS FROM THE HEART
  • CONTACT ME