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Category Archives: Depression

All Things Are New

13 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Deliverance, Depression, faith, God, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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All things are new in Christ. New life, new hope, new ending.

Did you ever wish you could write a new ending to your life story? You can! In Christ all things are made new. 

Don’t like your life? 

Tired of the craziness? 

Weary of guilt and shame?

It doesn’t have to stay this way. There is hope for you and for me. Life is way more than this.

Ask Jesus to help. Invite Him into your mess – He promised to make all things new. He promised to give you peace and abundance. 

Let go of the past. That is not who you are anymore. It was – but it is not you anymore. God erased it. It really is finished.
What have you got to lose? I promise – He will do it! If He did it for me He will do it for anyone – including YOU! Jesus came to seek and to save ALL who feel lost.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 


But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. 


So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]. – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 AMP

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Letting Go of the Past and Negative Thoughts

02 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Deliverance, Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, God, Healing, Hope, Mental Illness, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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It has been said that “as a man thinks – so he becomes.” Yes, we are what we think about. One of the hardest things for me after domestic violence and abuse is learning to renew my mind. I had to learn that just because someone said something to me, that did NOT mean that it was true.  Abusers are excellent manipulators and agents for the Enemy. They plant lie after lie in your head and after hearing something so many times, I started to believe it.


You know the Negative thoughts:

  • You are worthless
  • Nobody would ever want you
  • The kids and I would be better without you
  • You are dumb, fat, ugly, and stupid
  • You never do anything right
  • You mean nothing to me
  • Are you really that stupid?

Can you relate? 

Only reading the Word of God has helped cast down these lies. I needed a new tape, a new mindset. I needed a new truth.

 Praise God –  He is able. He is waiting to meet us and get rid of all the lies. Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy – BUT GOD is exceedingly abundantly willing to give us a new life with new thoughts and life more abundantly. Don’t be deceived any longer my friends.


Those words spoken over you from the Enemy I cast down and turn into dust in Jesus Name!



For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. 

The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6AMP



Gratitude is a Magnet for Miracles

20 Sunday Nov 2016

Posted by in Anxiety, behavior, Deliverance, Depression, faith, God, Healing, Hope, power of words, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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Have you ever played with a magnet? It draws metal to it by its nature. It doesn’t have to think about it, do something special or do anything to earn it. it just does it, because that is what it was created to do.

Gratitude is a Magnet for Miracles!


Are you grateful today? If not, make a new choice today. Choose gratitude and watch and see what God will do!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 | NIV

Gratitude dispels fear and anxiety. Gratitude makes room for God to work!

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 | NIV

(All pictures from Pinterest)

The Sickness That God Delivered You From Might Try to Come Back.

24 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Anxiety, Deliverance, Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, faith, God, Healing, Hope, power of words, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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Sickness. Illness. We live in a fallen world with sin and sickness everywhere. But our God delivers. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and He heals them ALL. Now it might be here, or it might be on the other side, but He heals them ALL.

“Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.” Matthew 15:30 NKJV

I do not believe for one moment that God gives us sickness.

Did Jesus ever say,” Geez, I see that you are sick, come back tomorrow.” NO!

Did Jesus ever say, ” Man you really messed up, you better go get right with God before you come back here for healing?”  NO!

Did Jesus ever see someone sick and NOT heal them? NO!

I don’t believe for one one moment that God wants to”teach us something” with sickness. That is a lie straight from the Religious Spirit that man has put out there. Not God. He never said that.

God is good and He heals ALL.

” [ Behold, My Servant ] But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.” – Matthew 12:15 NKJV

Do we get sick. Yes. We live in a fallen world. We are living in theses bodies which get run down, stressed out, and sometimes sick. But when that happens there is our opportunity go to God and expect his healing. He promised us. There is no sickness in Heaven. So why do we think we have to be sick here?  Like it’s who we are or something. I am not a label. I am not an illness.  I am not going to talk about how bad I feel all day. We have the Spirit of the Living God in us – what we talk about will come to pass!  No wonder God said to be slow to speak. I refuse to agree with the Enemy of my soul. I have spent way too many years agreeing with the wrong guy.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5 nkjv

I am tired of the Body Of Christ believing all this stuff. He bore our sickness so we didn’t have to. Do I get sick? Of course I do. I am still human. But I refuse to label myself with this disease or that disease and say “This is me and I am my disease and its who I am.” – and take care of it like it’s a pet. I refuse to feed it. Sickness can shrivel up and die.

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I was home today. I did it not well. About 6 months ago I was hospitalized with ischemic colitis. It was bad – blood, cramps, fever, etc.  The Doctor said I might have this disease and that disease. I said no. My God says I am healed. My husband and kids prayed with me. my Pastors  and their wives came and prayed with me. And we STOOD OUR GROUND. Guess what happened? God healed me. Did I take my medicine- yes. God uses Doctors and Nurses all the time to do His will and heal. Let’s use the help that God gives us and not get all religious about it.

Today, that same sickness tried to come back. I had the same symptoms. I thought.” Great – that same sickness that I had had was trying to come back on me..”  I had the heating  pad on my stomach all day to feel better. I even lost it for a minute and dug out all my hospital paperwork. My first thought was, “Great here we go again.”

Then I got mad. I stood up to that stupid colitis and said, “NO, you are not coming on me again! Get out of here is Jesus Name. I reject you and these demons who brought you to my door. My God healed me and I am standing in that healing.”God is good, Devil is bad. My God heals. He healed me the first time and you are not welcome here.

Stand strong my friends – no matter what the symptoms. Exercise your faith and watch and see what God will do.  This is not the end – only an opportunity to exercise your faith and watch God get the glory in your healing. He promised us healing – either here on earth or in Heaven. And I for one am going to take Him at His WORD!

The Good News? If it has a name it has to bow to Jesus!

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:8-11 NKJV

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I See the Scars

20 Thursday Oct 2016

Posted by in christian poetry, Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, God, Healing, Hope, Rejection, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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I ran into a girl the other day with scars on her arms. My heart dropped. I know what that feels like to have no hope. To take the pain that you are feeling out on yourself. To sit in the bathroom with the door locked  and just sit on the floor rocking back and forth. When we have been through unexplainable trauma that is how we cope.  But I am living proof that it doesn’t have to stay that way.

My life changed when I found a support system of friends and God. Yes, God. Reading the Word bring me hope. It opens my mind to the  fact that there is a God and He cares about me even when others do not.

Don’t give up my friend. There is hope. There is life, a life more abundant than you ever imagined. A life where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more hurt.  Have you met my friend Jesus?  He is faithful. He is true. He is peaceful. He brings hope and healing and protection under the shadow of his wings. And He is waiting for you to call out His name for help today. He stands at the door and knocks.  Will you let Him in?

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  – REVELATION 3:20 nkjv

 

I See the Scars

Copyright 2016 Diana Rasmussen

girl

I see the scars upon your arms

My heart skipped a beat as I thought of what I could say

To take away the pain that brought you to that place

How I wish I could change the things that you’ve been through

I’m here today to sit and listen if you choose to share

I remember what it felt like

To be the girl with the scars

jesus-heals

12 Steps to Keeping Your Sanity When You Are Sleeping With the Enemy

19 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Boundaries, Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Hope, Spirituality

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This is in honor for my friend going through a rough time. Stand strong my sister – you can do this. You are worth so much more.

Prayers and Promises

Keeping your sanity – when you are sleeping with the enemy. Let me share a story. I came to the Lord during a time of crisis in my life. Isn’t that how it goes? Anyway, I was charmed by the ‘snake’ just like Eve in the garden. His talk was smooth, he was absolutely charming, but underneath he was a snake.  I lived many years in Domestic Abuse and little did I know that this was the start of a very destructive relationship. And, it has happened to me more than once  – more than one relationship.

The World calls him the Abuser,

the Doctors call him the Narcissist,

and the Church calls him the Jezebel Spirit.  

It’s all about deception, and ultimately power and control.

And you my friend are the target if you fall for his lies.

dont fall for it

Recently I got an email from a follower asking for action steps…

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God Stays the Same When the World is Falling Apart

23 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by in Anxiety, behavior, Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, faith, God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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It has been a hard week. I have seen newborn babies born and saying in ICU. I have seen a friend have a family member diagnosed with cancer. A friend has her husband hospitalized. A baby went to surgery this week. A teenager attempted suicide. Teens have had anxiety attacks.

There is one thing that gets me through weeks like these. God is faithful. He is still in the healing business. He still sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us. God sees, God knows, and He still answers our prayers. God is faithful, when the world is falling apart.

 

These are the times I trust God to get me through the trial. I am not good at trying to do things on my own. I know I need help. God promised to help us in times like these. Just ask, and He will be there – in the middle of the mess, He promised. Choose to trust Him, He is faithful.

 

 

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3 

“I am the Lord that healeth thee.” – Exodus 15:26

” I will give you strength and bless you with peace.” Psalm 29:11

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” – Psalms 91:4

 

Too Many Tears

11 Sunday Sep 2016

Posted by in Depression, God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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There are days that the losses of so many in the world just bring tears. So many lives lost for no good reason. May the God of all comfort hold us close tonight.

Especially T – who list her sister at 911.

And my brother and sister and I who lost our Mommy 4 years ago today.

Help us all Lord.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

 

Beautiful new vocals to this song by Julia Schmidt, and a new mix from Nathaniel Jones of Protilius Productions!

Source: Connect to Independent Music

RAINDROPS ARE TEARS

©2014 Music and Lyrics by Diana Rasmussen
Vocals by Julia Schmidt
Timbre Design,Engineering and Produced by Nathaniel Jones of Protilius Productions

“Raindrops fall from the sky because the clouds can no longer hold them”

There are tears my heart can’t hold
falling down soaking the ground

Water from my soul releasing pain
It’s our cry to begin again

You wept when I wept
You cried when I cried

From a secret place I see your face
Your raindrops are tears
Sent from above pouring out love
Your raindrops are tears

Drench my hurt heal my pain
You can call me by a new name

Soak the trees, heal all things
that are precious to a King

From a secret place I see your face
Your raindrops are tears
Sent from above pouring out love
Your raindrops are tears

You wept when I wept
You cried when I cried

From a secret place I see your face
Your raindrops are tears
Sent from above pouring out love
Your raindrops are tears

Diana Rasmussen

Lyric Credits
Music Credits Diana Rasmussen & Nathaniel Jones of Protilius Productions
Producer Credits Protilius Productions
Performance Credits vocals by Julia Schmidt, Music and lyrics by Diana Rasmussen & Nathaniel Jones of Protilius Productions

 

 

A Prayer For Healing

23 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by in Deliverance, Depression, faith, God, Healing, Hope, power of words, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, words

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My husband Bob wrote this out for our friend. It spoke to my heart as well so I wanted to share it with you.

Our bodies respond to our voices. There are times we have to fight. There are times when our symptoms do not match up with the the Word of God. I have found that these are the times I need to declare the Word over myself and my body. Next is the hard part – giving God a minute to work it out.

Lord,

I have received You as my Savoir. You are my God. Your Word declares that by Your stripes I am healed! Your Spirit dwells inside of me, so if there is any sickness, I cast it out in Your mighty name.

I say to my body, get in line. My Savior died and says I will be healed. I plead the blood of Jesus over my health, and Father, if I have opened any doors to allow sickness, forgive me and I close them now in Jesus name. I cast out anything that dwells within me to be cast to the bottom of the sea, never to come back. In Jesus name, I call you out. Body, get in line.

I have the mind of Christ Jesus, Lord of all. If anything about my mind is not like His, I tell it to get out in Jesus name! Any damage that has been declared in my mind, I call it healed, in Jesus name. Lord restore my mind to how you would will it to be. I call myself healed in Jesus name. I call my mind whole, restored, and renewed.

Lord I ask for your holy presence to flow throughout my body, restoring, rebuilding, and renewing me. I speak to the pressure of my blood, and I say you must be lower, in the name of Jesus. Pain and soreness, you must leave, in the name of Jesus. Body, I call you to get in line with the word that says that I am healed!

I ask all this in Jesus name!

Don’t Bind Someone to You With Worry

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Anxiety, behavior, Deliverance, Depression, God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

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Worry. It has a way of eating up your hope and joy and destroying your peace of mind.

WORRY – to give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.

Faith

Worry is dwelling on our troubles or difficulty. The more we worry the worse things get. Worry can lead to anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.  Excessive worrying can lead to physical health problems as well – headaches, sleeplessness, poor job performance, and hindered relationships. People may turn to alcohol, drugs, overeating, or other harmful habits to cope. I have even heard it said that worry is a lack of trust – in ourselves, in someone else, or in God.

When we choose to direct our thoughts towards someone else with worry we can bind them to us in fear. This does not help us or them. Most of the “What if” thoughts we have don’t happen.  We play out all different scenarios and endings in our heads. “If he does this, I’ll do that” type of thinking is rarely productive. It is debilitating and paralyzing.

There are many actions you can take to relieve your mind from worry.

  • Prayer – God listens and cares
  • Counseling – talking helps
  • Reading a book – helps with changing the atmosphere in your mind
  • Going for a drive – seeing new things
  • Listening to positive Music – the words and genre matters
  • Exercise – going for a walk
  • Mindfulness – being in the moment
  • Watching a movie – changing the moment

 

No wonder God asks us to think about the good things and to be grateful. When we change our thoughts we change our actions. When we choose the good things to think about our feelings change. We begin to believe that good will come out of all things. There is hope my friend.  Make a choice – to change your negative thought patterns and replace those old tapes with the Word of God today. It might be the beginning of a new life for you!

 

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV

 

How do you deal with worry? What works for you?

choose thoughts

 

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(featured image source – theoriginalnetworker.com)

I See

22 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by in Anxiety, Depression, poetrty, Poetry, Prayer, Rejection, teens, Uncategorized

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I See

-Copyright 2016 Diana Rasmussen

help with cutting

I see the scars upon your arms

My heart skipped a beat as I thought of what I could say

To take away the pain that brought you to that place

How I wish I could change the things that you’ve been through

I’m here today to sit and listen if you choose to share

I remember what it felt like

To be the girl with the scars

You are in my prayers each and every day

I ask God to shine His light

upon the darkness of your heart

Your story is not over

Things will change with a new start

I have carried you to Jesus

with my prayers to heal your heart

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21 NIV

 

According to an article from TeenHelp:

The National Library of Medicine reports the following nonsuicidal self injury (NSSI) statistics:

  • 1/3 to 1/2 of US adolescents have engaged in some type of self injury.
  • Cutting and burning are the most common types of non-suicidal self-injury.
  • 70% of teens engaging in self-injury behavior have made at least one suicide attempt.
  • 55% had made multiple suicide attempts.

 

Let us bring light into the darkness and see the hurting. We know the Healer of Souls. Lord, use us today to bring hope and healing to those who cross our paths today, in Jesus Name.

 

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Enter the Rest of the Lord

17 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by in Anxiety, behavior, Boundaries, Deliverance, Depression, faith, God, Healing, Hope, Mental Illness, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

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Busy, busy, busy. That describes most of us. School,work, sports, music, family, church, etc. We are overburdened with obligations. Whether you are an adult or a child committing to multiple things at the same time takes its toll on our peace of mind. We as a people are overworked, over committed, and over stressed.

Yet why do we do this?

What good does it do?

This past year I found myself getting sick again. I was overcommitted. I was trying to do too much with too little time. It affected my family as well. My kids started having issues with depression and anxiety. They picked up on mine. I had to make a choice to change. I had to trust God to lead me with what I could hold on to and what I had to let go of. I had to choose to trust Him with the rest. Let go and let God right?

I cut back on a number of things I was doing this year. I stopped recording every song I wrote. I gave myself permission to rest. I stopped going to every function I was invited to. I chose which times I could say “yes” and which times I could say “no.” I let myself say NO. That is huge for me. I was such a people pleaser for so many years. Thank you Lord for delivering me from that!

I am more grateful now. I am more thankful now. It was worth it. My family and I have more time together. We may not go out every night, but we have simple times together. A trip to Dunkin Donuts for coffee for my daughter or a trip to McDonalds for hash browns for my son. A grill and Netflix night with my husband is our date night. A visit with my older girls every two weeks and my granddaughter has brought me such joy.  My life is much simpler now. Thank you Lord for REST!

 

God’s Word for You:

Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. – Exodus 23:12 KJV

 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31 NIV

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11: 28-29 NIV

 

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God ,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

 

 

effects of stress

(Image source – healthywomen.org)

My Prayer for You:

Dear Lord,

Show us which things to hang on to and which things to let go of. We want to enter the rest of the Lord. Let us lay down our people pleasing selves and accept the newness of life you died to give us. Let us rejoice in peace that surpasses all understanding, in Jesus name.

 

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(Featured image from communitytable.parade.com)