Looking for the Lord’s Nearness in Postpartum
By Emily Rose Massey
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” - Psalm 145:18 ESV
I reflect on my postpartum experience after my first son was born, I am burdened to pray for other mothers who may be struggling like I did. There were no concerns at my six-week postpartum check-up regarding signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, so I thought I was free and clear from the dreaded PPD.
But as the weeks went on, I began to experience behavior and emotions that did not seem normal. I constantly argued with my husband over the most insignificant things, and I felt like I had no support, even though that couldn’t have been further from the truth. My husband is the most supportive and selfless man I know. I would belittle and snap at the drop of a hat. I was suffering continuously from anxiety attacks to the point of hyperventilation because I didn’t like who I was becoming.
My attitude went beyond the effects of the normal sleep deprivation of life with a newborn- I felt out of control and miserable. When my son finally fell asleep, I could not doze off and would stare at the ceiling until 4 AM. I really noticed there was a problem as I felt rage welling up inside me when my newborn would not stop crying. I couldn’t console him whatsoever. Although I felt like a failure, I knew it wasn’t my fault.
I began to research hormonal imbalances after pregnancy and PPD symptoms. I discovered more issues associated with PPD, such as PPA (Postpartum anxiety). The more information I read about the symptoms of PPD and PPA, the more I was aware of my behavior and the more I could control it instead of it controlling me. As a Christian woman, I knew to also fight with prayer and focus on renewing my mind by listening to His Word day by day.
Many scriptures encourage weary souls when we are suffering, especially in the Psalms. Let Psalm 145:18 bring courage and hope to you that the Lord hears your cries. You are not alone:
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (ESV).
Intersecting Faith and Life:
As a mom of little ones who may be struggling mentally, you most likely will not be able to sit down and do in-depth Bible studies or devotions as you used to, and that’s okay. You can listen to an audio Bible from your phone or play chapters of the Bible on YouTube. Your mind must be renewed with the truth to combat the lies the enemy tries to throw at you. In addition to prayer, I reached out to PPD/PPA support groups and other Christian women who have walked through it. I also began watching my diet because the food you consume also affects your endocrine system, which produces and releases hormones in your body in major ways.
Everyone’s body and situation are different. Some women need to be prescribed medication and/or see a counselor. (Seek medical attention if you feel as if your symptoms are severe- you want to harm yourself or your baby.) You are loved. You are not a failure. Do not suffer in silence. Tell someone what you are going through. Don’t hesitate to ask for prayer or a listening ear. The enemy longs for you to isolate or stay in a state of denial, allow your symptoms to worsen, and drag you down into the pit of depression. You must remember that you are not alone; The Lord is near. Cry out to Him!
Further Reading:
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