By Karen O’Connor:
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Finding God in menopause may seem like an odd statement, but it is possible and there are many women who would testify to that. I’m one. In the article Preparing for Menopause on powertochange.com, marriage and family counselor, author and speaker, Lynette Hoy, focused on one aspect of self-care that struck a chord with me: spiritual wellness.
“This will bring the greatest stability when women enter this new stage of life.”
“. . . you can be certain the Lord cares about you and understands your suffering. He will be your companion through this valley. Take more time to read Scripture, the Psalms, and pray. This will help alleviate depression and anxiety caused by menopause. Memorizing Scripture can change your attitude about life.”
Hoy reminds readers that when the writer of Psalm 42:5 felt depressed, he reminded himself of truth about life, the future, and about God: “Why are you downcast o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? For I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my Lord.”
Next she suggests that women going through menopause challenge their thinking, as Paul advises in the Bible in his letter to the Romans, chapter 12, verse 2:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This will give you God’s perspective on your life so you can experience a greater sense of overall wellness.
And finally, Hoy encourages women to write out some goals in order to better manage the peri-menopausal/menopausal symptoms. “Determine to take better care of yourself and move forward in this new phase of life,” she says. “Ultimately, trust in the promises of God. Isaiah 58:11 says:
‘The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.’”
With the Lord’s wind at your back you will be finding God in menopause as well as in every area of your life, and be able to bear the challenges with grace and acceptance.
You may want to watch this informative YouTube video, (the first of three), explaining menopause and what to expect from this season of life.
©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com
