Pain and progress , doing better, losing ground or stagnation!!!

[Thankfulforhelp22]

I think you can be smart enough to be aware of something being true and still refuse to acknowledge it or act accordingly. I made a certain amount of progress with my anxiety and I’m thankful for it, but I have much more work to do. I’m stuck and I’m aware you can also lose ground in your battle with mental illness. I still struggle with the same things over and over ( many folks will know exactly what I’m talking about).

The truth is that in order to make more significant progress I am going to have to try harder and be more courageous and that is certainly going to involve pain. I have spent a great deal of time and energy since my teens to avoid pain. Shame, guilt, harsh self judgement are some common obstacles. The truth I do not want to deal with is that you have to face your fears to overcome them. If I continue to avoid, I will not progress much further. A good therapist, medication and even a loving spouse is not enough. Pain avoidance and doing only what is safe is so ingrained in me (and to be honest so comfortable) that it is automatic. It will take muscle to break that pattern. I wonder if I have the desire and courage to do hard things in order to improve my life.

I really want it to be easy, but nothing will be gained that way. I am not young (60+). I feel like God has done his part, but I have been unable and unwilling to do mine. From where will the courage come? No one can do this for me. I can be more than what I currently am.

Fear wins too frequently. I want to win.

Peace, love and joy to everyone.

[CindyKatherine]

Hello, Thankfulforhelp2022, you have a beautiful write-up there. Too often we as humans seek the short and easy route which keeps us stagnated. I agree with you that painstaking effort is the key, as God has done His part, to excel excellently. But, there will be hindrances along the way but, we will never surrender not retreat, as we will fight for our lives.

Peace!

[Starrlight]

I could have written this. I’m fully with you and have been trying not to avoid and to be brave…I wish you the very best.

[Hidden]

If we don’t try to do things that are difficult for us, we never change and grow. Sometimes the only way out is through. It’s good you have the insight to realize what you need to do. I wish you the best. Keep trying.

[Thankfulforhelp22 in reply to Hidden]

”sometimes the only way out is through” I will keep that in mind. Thanks so much 😀