Praying Through Menopause
Why didn’t Mom tell me how bad this thing called menopause could get?! Hmm…probably because she went through the process of it relevantly smooth. Mom just had a few bad headaches, (to my recollection). And she had her last cycle at the age of 44. Well of course, I thought I would follow suit and inherit her good fortune. Wrong!!
I did however put an end to my heavy cycles since my OB/GYN performed the oblation. And thank God for small favors!! Since the beginning of March, I am cycle free. Yeah! But wait, it’s not all coming up roses for me now, far from it! I’m experiencing the effects of menopause in the worst way.
The hot flashes I can handle. Don’t get me wrong; they are NOT fun. LOL. However, it’s the depression and anxiety that I’m having major issues with. Some days it’s hard to just get out of bed, and there are those days that I get up early, do my workout, and feel awesome afterwards, and usually my days go (for the most part) well. Today is a bad day. As I woke up, I did not get up and workout. Instead I walked straight across from my bedroom to my office.
I’m finding myself praying a lot more than I usually do now, due to desperation more than anything. And that of course is certainly not a bad thing. We all need to pray, especially in these days and times. :)
I haven’t dusted my Bible off in a good while. :( However, recently I’ve been opening my Bible to whatever page it takes me to. And today, I opened it up to Proverbs 1- Verse 6 – 16
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause.
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit.
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil.
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse.
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
I think I know what this means. You see, I was close to God before I got married. Then I slowly slipped through the cracks and stopped going to church, and yes…reading my Bible. I’ve always prayed, but it’s been less and less over the years. I did marry someone that did not attend church. However, he said he would start going “someday.” It’s been 30 years (next year) that we’ve been married, and that day has yet to come.
Through menopause, maybe God has let this depression come upon me so that I would start to pray diligently again AND read my Bible. I do believe that everything happens for a reason. And God does indeed work in mysterious ways! I’ve always believed in God, and I’ve always prayed; it’s just been less the last few years. My mom taught me well and brought me up in a Pentecostal church. Actually, it was both Pentecostal and Assembly of God. My grandfather was a pastor with the latter.
I know I will get through this. It’s just been a lonely journey so far. I realize that there has to be many more women that are going through the same thing. Hormones can do some scary things to your body.
One more thing. I’ve been sitting here and thinking, (and not working) as I type this post; what I need to do more than anything is ask my God to forgive me for all things. Everything that’s been thought, said, and done in my somewhat colorful past.
Psalms : 66:18: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
Psalms : 44:21: Shall not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
I sure didn’t mean for this post to be a sermon type post! lol Actually I had started out writing this article for my Grandparenting blog and intended on posting it in the Healthy Lifestyle section. As the post started to change gears, I thought it would be more fitting for Moms of Faith here.
Anyone else out there going through some bad phases of Menopause? Please Share. ;)
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Thank you for sharing your story….
I am soon to be 54 and I have been going through menopause for about year and a half, it has really gotten bad for me this last year ? depression, anxiety, bloating, hot flashes, weight gain you name it. I grew up in church and as I got older I became closer to God reading my bible and going to church but then over the years I stopped and thought I was living my best life… Got married for the 2nd time , As the years went on I noticed a change in my body at the age of 50 and everything went down hill from there and having marital problems on top of that, I felt so a lone… Smh when I say God know how to get your attention!!!! Now I’m back reading the bible and praying more because I know I can’t make it without God… I pray everything workout for you ladies…
Thank you for your article. My Dear sisters in Christ,
If you are here reading this article you are having a difficult menopause as well. We are experiencing something “normal “ but in my experience this menopause thing is hands down the worst, most horrendous thing I’ve ever been through. The exhaustion and insomnia and body aches are indescribable. I’ve lost weight (not needing to), and have too many symptoms to list. At 53, I’m still as sick as when this started 5 ago.
I truly hope everyone here finds peace. Prayer and meditation upon our Heavenly Father’s presence in our lives is pretty essential to manage the suffering, I find. My thoughts are with you all! Remember you’re not alone in this awful thing.
Blessings,
Pilar
Though this is not easy I pray our Heavenly Father to me and every woman experiencing this he will pull us through
Thank you so much for this write up. It’s past midnight on my side of the world yet I’m wide awake. Haven’t slept at all. I’m trying not to panic, I know God is watching over me and other women going through this. I’m 45 and a Nigerian.
I am newly married at the age of 43. 5 days after my wedding, I underwent a major surgery that included a full hysterectomy. I have struggled with stage IV endometriosis for years. I am struggling physically and mentally. The physical part I can handle but the emotional part is scary and overwhelming. I feel sad, angry, and alone. I know that I’m not easy to be around due to my fragile mental state. I’m searching for scripture and prayer to help me through this time. I’m not myself. I need God and peace. I know that my husband deserves better. Please help guide me to sanity. Menopause is so hard. I don’t want to feel these things.