My wife, while going through the pregnancy experience participated on a Forum where expectant mothers can post their comments and questions to other expectant mothers in an effort to get answers to whatever they might be going through or experiencing. It is interesting to read what others are experiencing along their journey at the same time you are and comparing those experiences. I believe this forum is designed to help ease concerns that one might have when they are not sure if what they are going through is normal or not. There is something about an informal setting like this that allows you to feel comfortable and ask just about anything. It is pretty incredible to read some of the replies to what people are asking: one woman reported gaining a certain amount of weight which seemed to be a high amount and the responses were unbelievable. Instead of showing sympathy, the replies were along the lines of “Oh, I have only gained 5 pounds, or I am not gaining much weigh, etc. The insensitivity of people amazes me.
This morning my wife told me that she had just read where a mother who had earlier been asking questions about different things had committed suicide. She was diagnosed with Postpartum Psychosis.
Postpartum Psychosis is the most extreme form of postpartum mood disorders and one of the rarest. It is described as a period when the woman loses touch with reality, the disorder occurs in women who have recently given birth. Most who realize something is wrong neglect to speak to their Doctor about this or this disorder is misdiagnosed as postpartum depression and this prevents them from receiving the proper medical attention they need.
Looking back at her forum post, not one person responded to her questions. I cannot even come close to imagining the pain and confusion this woman must have been going through. Now her husband is left to try and understand and he is also going to have to raise his child alone and someday explain to his child what happened to its mother.
When my wife told me about this woman, my heart immediately broke and I began to weep for this woman, her Husband and child. Maybe if only someone had responded or reached out to this woman this situation would have had a different outcome. What a tragedy this is that could have been prevented if she had just reached out or someone had picked up on her despair.
This is just one example of how important it is for us as Christians to be so aware of what is actually going on around us. Even more now with the internet and exposure we have to so many more people. Instead of being afraid to comment or say something to people in need, a simple word of encouragement could go a long way in helping someone on their way to recovery. We see it all the time, When you ask someone how they are doing and they usually respond “ I’m Great “ or “Doing Good “ but we find online people saying truthfully what is on their mind. Especially on Facebook where people express what is on their minds during the day. Every once in a while you will see someone reaching out and truthfully telling the world they are not happy or they are going through something. Whether they are having a great day or a bad day, we can help by just encouraging them. What more do we need to step in and offer help? When people are stating they are having a Bad day, they are usually looking for support or at minimum just want to know people care. The majority of the time we are not dealing with people who are on the brink but you never know. You never know what a person is dealing with or what they are facing. The Next time you read or hear a person commenting on the bad day they are having or that things just are not going well for them, SPEAK UP and encourage them. That is an opportunity to share with them the Truth of the Gospel and how God has made a difference in your lives. Life is precious.
Your words have an impact.
The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32).
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).
Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
Follow God’s Example. Be an Encourager!
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (Psalm 10:17).
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).
Can I Get A Witness?
K
