You Are Not Alone

Though I knew I had to complete what I started, I found myself hesitating because my dad passed away before he was given the opportunity to see it in print. He wasn’t shy about his struggles, actually he put them all in his journals. His desire was to reach others who were experiencing similar difficulties and let them know that they are not alone.

What triggered me to write this blog was a special mental health episode on “The Talk”. Eve (American rapper, singer, songwriter and actress) opens up about anxiety and panic attacks. She shares, “For her, it’s anxiety. She still has it; she still lives with it; it ebbs and flows… But now, she is so thankful to be able to share; like my dad, hoping that people realize that they are not alone.

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too.

None of this means that you’re broken or that you, or your family, did something “wrong.” Mental illness is no one’s fault. And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work — is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process.

Unfortunately, the general public does not have empathy for others unless it hits their home. Combined with the labels that society places upon them, it’s no wonder we are now seeing the masses come out from years of isolation.

I say ‘Cheers’ to those of you who are brave enough to raise your voices and say, ‘I am not ashamed, and I seek help.’

My dad’s book was written to reach those who I may never meet in person, and to bring encouragement and remind others that they are not alone.
(Dad’s book, ‘God’s Got It’ can be purchased on Amazon.com).

Though Pausing With God Ministries was birthed from my season of menopause, we pray for you; our readers for any season that you may be currently experiencing. We want to share that if you have a family member or friend who is experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, there is help.

Pause and check out – Cymone LaShae – A Hope dealer and mental health GOAT slaying mental illness with Jesus & therapy! https://www.instagram.com/ofasoundmindinc?

Also check out NAMI has some education programs and support groups at your local NAMI. Contact the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org if you have any questions about anxiety or want help finding support and resources.

If you find it challenging to find help, please feel free to contact us @ PausingWithGod@gmail.com and let’s get you connected to the right resources and treatment that work for you!

#mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #anxiety #selflove #love #depression #motivation

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

National Daughters Day

Can we talk…seeing the world just celebrated National Daughter Day, did you post just so you didn’t feel left out?
How is your relationship really with your daughter?

The Ministry of My Mother will remind some and refresh others… • Remember, it’s not how you started, but how you end • Realize that we all experience a storm or two at some point in our lives • Reexamine our relationship with our mother, our daughter, but most of all with ourselves.

SECURE YOUR COPY TODAY HERE ON OUR WEBSITE OR AMAZON.COM

A Woman of Excellence: The Ministry of My Mother, A Memoir

The dynamics of a mother and daughter relationship take may range from healthy to unwholesome. They can affect you on so many levels: emotionally, mentally, physically, financially and spiritually. While I do not know the current status of your relationship(s). Perhaps you are presently working through some challenges or perchance you are grieving the loss of your parent or your daughter. Or maybe your relationship with your mom is in a good place — that’s wonderful news. But even in the best of relationships there is always room for growth.
#beengaged #beempowered #beencouraged #beinspired

Pausing To Share…#TBT

September is Menopause Awareness Month….Preparation is the key!

What other readers have said about Pausing With God…

“Sheri has an anointed message divinely given to her for the sole purpose of relieving, comforting, restoring, and inspiring women before, during, and after menopause.”
Cleo D. Graham, R.N.P., B.S.N.,M.N.

What’s absolutely clear to me after reading Pausing With God (although I already knew it) is how you so love the Lord! It’s a truth that resonates with every turn of the page.
I commend you my sister, for your persistent resolve to put to pen what has been bottled up in your heart.
Joleen Green Bridgeport, Ct

I was amazed at the level of faith this woman of God has, but she doesn’t hesitate to share an honest human side of herself. Author Sheri Powell’s clever use of analogies and
scriptures prepares the readers for each section and each point. Pausing With God has humor and wisdom…a good mixture for an easy-to-read book.
Sherrie Clark Writer & Editor

Click on our resource link https://pausingwithgod.com/resources-2/ or secure your copy today on Amazon.com

Mask Up

Not sure what you think when you read the title, “Mask Up” or how you even feel about wearing a mask.

The coverings are worn anytime in public when we are near others. Wearing a mask is a piece of protective equipment. When we wear a mask, we protect others, and when others wear a mask they protect us.

But think about ‘masking up’ in a spiritual sense, how that idea might translate to our spiritual lives. Ever thought that it doesn’t just protect us but also can protect others.

As we cover up in the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will order our steps in a way that will protect us from unnecessary trials and tribulations. We will love and not hate, we will forgive instead of trying to pay back, we will walk in peace and not strife, we will pray instead of preying upon one another. We will be able to live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord, which is a blessing to those we come in contact with.

Covering up in the Lord, putting on God’s armor protects us, but also protects others.

Pause & Pray…Lord help us to see that there are some things, some decisions we must make that may go against what we want, but Lord help us see that they are for Your glory, for our good but also for the good of others!

In Jesus Name we pray Amen

Pausing To Share

One of my goals for today was to write a blog post for our website, but as I sat down for our morning devotion, I thought you’d be encouraged by the Scripture in Our Daily Bread, Galatians 6:7–10.

Maybe today you are saying for the 100th time that you are sick and tired of this pandemic. But the truth of the matter is, no day that we are alive in the land of the living is ever wasted.

Our prayer this morning is that we pause long enough to listen and be wise enough to allow God to order our steps and strengthen us for the task that He has called us to.

Don’t become weary in doing good. Galatians 6:9

beengaged #beencouraged #beempowered

Buddy Up!

Pausing To Remind – Buddy Check 12 (Self Awareness Reminder)

Pausing To Remind – Buddy Check 12
(Self Awareness Reminder)

Mark your calendars,
set your alarm to remind a buddy
and check yourself on the 12th!

Buddy Check programs are now offered in multiple US cities, as well as in Japan and Germany. Here’s how it works:

Check out pamphlet

Breast Exam Pamphlet Download

Or call your physician and get your step-by-step instructions for breast self-examination and self-awareness kit
Set a reminder that on the 12th of every month you will call your buddy and remind them to check themselves between the 7th and 10th day of their menstrual cycle
If a lump is detected, call your physician immediately

Let us know if you have any questions, concerns and we will try to provide resources that can assist you!

Pamphlet courtesy of Maurer Foundation Breast Health Education

Menopause Awareness Month

September is Menopause Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate one another about this season of our lives. Menopause is a natural and normal part of aging, yet there has been a lot of stigma and misinformation associated with it. And because of this and the way menopause is portrayed in much of the media, women have feared getting older, families have been disrupted and the misunderstanding has caused many challenges in the workplace.

It is amazing that nothing slips by God nor surprises Him. In Genesis 18:11, it says that Abraham and Sarah were old. Sarah was had stopped having her monthly periods and was past age of childbearing (paraphrase).

Menopause is said to have occurred when a woman has not had a period for 12 months. While the average age of menopause in the United States is 51, many women can and do experience it earlier. After menopause, a woman no longer produces eggs and thus cannot become pregnant naturally. However, there have also been rare cases, like Sarah’s and many others; where women who have had babies as many as seven years after they believed they went through menopause – did I just hear you gasp!

Pausing With God’s mission is to educate, encourage and engage you to take advantage of the information and resources that you have at your fingertips. No one knows your body better than you so do not relent in becoming your best healthcare advocate.

Here is an excerpt from Pausing With God A Journey Through Menopause

Stop by our Resource tab and secure your copy of Pausing With God A Journey Through Menopause and other resources like the Menopause Map https://www.hormone.org/menopausemap/index.html This resource is sure to help you on your journey.

Pausing To Share…Hope In Hospice

When I read the scripture and the devotional this morning in Early Morning Prayer it mentioned about a loved one who was in hospice in their final stages of life.

If the truth be told we are all in a natural (earthly) holding pattern, all in a spiritual hospice.

The Bible says it is appointed to all men to die Hebrews 9:27. We are all on a journey, all in this thing called life going; all going to leave these earthly vessels one day.

Our prayer today is that this truth would encourage and move us to have an encounter with Jesus. Such an experience that it may be said of us that when we leave this earth, we will be sleeping in Christ.

I can speak from first hand experience of what it is like to let go of a loved one in the natural, one who has the comfort of God because they died in Christ. But in the process of grieving and mourning for our loved ones, may we be able to let go of all that hinders us from totally surrendering, trusting and living for Him God.

Pausing To Pray:

Lord help us on today…to taste and see how much You love us. You love us so much, enough to die for us that might live in You!

Pausing To Pray

Due to COVID-19 doctors have had to make the necessary adjustments in how they see their patients.

The instructions are to pull up to the building, text the office and wait in the car for the okay to proceed to the blue bench.

Green light…feeling like I rolled diced and moved to the next three spaces. By the time I made it to the blue bench, receptionist came out to take my temperature and squirted hand sanitizer in my hands.

After my appointment, I thought about this bee who though so many things that could hinder its day surrounds them everyday…they never stop buzzing, they don’t stop pollenating.

Instantly my perspective changes to gratitude. I begin praying for my doctor, who in spite of everything hasn’t let that stop her from seeing us, her patients.

I lifted up every first responder, all those that have an illness, those having a procedure this morning every store employee, every parent, teacher…everyone!

As I say amen, I’m reminded that no matter what is going on around us, no matter what the task for the day, we too must never stop…there are so many things we can do; and with this perspective we won’t complain about what we cannot!

Keep buzzing, keep pollinating and most of all keep praying!

Pausing For You!

Over the years, in addition to publishing several books, I have benefited from writing blogs and articles for several magazines and websites. But recently I thought about you, perhaps you have an untold story, testimony, or poem that you’d like to share?

Our Summer issue has already been published but keep reading you still have two more issues to submit your story, testimony or poem on our website and social media entities, please read the following themes and the guidelines:

Fall 2020 – Fears We Face(d) (submission deadline is 08/15/20)

Winter 2020 – Wrapping Up My Year (submission deadline is 12/12/20)

Queries should be sent by e-mail to PausingWithGod@gmail.com. Article lengths vary widely from 300 to 3,000 words. When you forward your submission, you are agreeing that we have the right to edit and/or shorten in order to properly format. On occasion, longer articles and excerpts may be split up and shared at different intervals. Along with your submission, please include your name, a short bio and your picture. We do not accept material that has been previously published in any form in print or online.

Pausing With God Ministries is accepting your submission to publish on its website and other social media entities with no compensation being paid to you. If you understand and agree, feel free to submit your article by e-mail to PausingWithGod@gmail.com.

In addition, feel free to contact via one the following venues:

Email | PausingWithGod@gmail.com

Facebook | @PausingWithGod

Twitter | @PausingWithGod

Instagram | @PausingWithGod

Thank you and In All You Do, Don’t Forget To Pause

Sheri