To Write Love On My Arm...

February 12...worldwide...is a TWLOHA (To Write Love On Her Arm) Day. Yesterday was February 12 here in Australia and I wrote love on my arm.

TWLOHA's mission statement is -

"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery."

Please check out the website here and work your way through from the Vision along to see what this wonderful group is doing.

I struggle with depression and have done now for the last 10 plus years. It's hereditary, it's circumstantial but it's also something that I am overcoming with the help of my Wonderful God, some amazing friends and, yes, a box of little white pills.

In life we are dealt with circumstances - thorns in our sides, if you wish - that open up new avenues to experiences to us. Depression is not something that I like to say I suffer from, but I do. It's part of me, but it will be overcome as I am the Daughter of the King and He will heal me.

As for addiction, self-injury and suicide. Not so much. Addiction, I suppose, comes in many forms and not just drugs and alcohol. It can be to shopping (books, among other things, in my case!), watching TV, food and more. Addiction is a comfort and can be hard to break given that, depending on the thing one is addicted to, it can transform our mind into something not natural. It can affect our brain chemistry, our day to day activities and can become a crutch.

Self-injury can also come in many forms aside from cutting your arm. In some cases it is self-loathing, and in the case of a depressed and anxious person, hurting oneself by other means than a knife cut on the arm. I experience the overwhelming need to inflict pain on myself when highly anxious as it's a means of releasing tension. Let's just say that in my case fingernails are not a good addition to have on ones person!

Suicide...now there's a big one! Aside from thoughts of wishing that I was no longer here to endure the emotional pain of life, I would never contemplate suicide. Some may say that I can't say that, but yes I can. I know there is hope in life even despite the difficult times. This hope comes from an unwaivering faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one that speaks to me when I just wish I was not here. I have had many low moments in life over a twenty year period and I have wished I wasn't here. But, suicide is not my game. There is much more to life that letting the enemy have his way with my heart and soul.

Everyone has their reasons to write love on their arm. Above are mine. Everyone needs to know why they need to write love on their arm. Above are mine. Everyone needs to know who can help them overcome the need to write love on their arm. God is mine. He is our Creator, Provider and Comforter. A lot of people do not understand why I walk with God, but to be fair to them, they have never felt God's Heavenly Touch on their heart. I have.

Please take some time to read about To Write Love On Her Arm, to understand what their vision is, to see what they are doing, and then to relate that back to your life and see how to write love on YOUR arm would help you. Also, please take some time to thank your Heavenly Father for the blessings He gives in your life.