Category: Resources

Faith, grief, Resources

Resources for Mental Health

Michele Kearns

The following list is NOT a complete list of resources but if you are struggling, it is a good place to start.

The Bible

The version does not matter. Pick up a bible and start reading it. Pray God will speak to you as you read.

Here are some verses:

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

John 14:27 “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”

Psalm 18:32 “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect”

Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

YouVersion Bible App Reading Plans

I have completed each of the following plans.

Daily Prayers for Grieving Hearts: A21-Day Plan for Comfort on the Road to Recovery

Breathe: A 6-Day Plan to Transform Chaos to Calm

Battle Ready by Kelly Balarie

Books

Battle Ready: Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt, and Live Victoriously; by Kelly Balarie. My Review

Take Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy for the Mind of Christ Paperback by Kelly Balarie pre-order on Amazon, the release date is April 11, 2023 (Disclaimer: I am once again on her book launch team).

Liturgies for Hope, Sixty Prayers for the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between; Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore.

Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23; Dallas Willard

Notebooks

Buy any old notebook and start a gratitude journal. See what a difference keeping track of what you are thankful for can make in your life over time.

Go Outside!

Finally – get outside! Go walk at a park, around the block or just down the street and back. Not able to walk, just sit on the front steps or patio with a cup of coffee or ice tea. Then

…“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. Michele is the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.

40 Days of Joy

40 Days of Joy Update

Michele Kearns

Earlier this year, I stated that on November 22, 2022 I would start the 40 Days of Joy series again. It consists of recipes, quotes, scripture, gift ideas, regular blog posts and anything else.

However, there will not be a 40 Days of Joy this year. My year has been very productive just not in regards to my blog. While productivity mean accomplishments, it also means tiredness. But oh the accomplishments are wonderful.

This year has been filled with family, friends, good food, and good times. So I’m not complaining. It’s just unfortunately JoyReturns suffered.

I will be doing my best to publish more than once a week during the holidays but no guarantees.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and thank you for visiting JoyReturns.

God Bless You.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. Michele is the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.

Project 3:16

Project 3:16 – Isaiah

Michele Kearns

Joy is not the only thing that has returned, so has Project 3:16.

We are skipping Song of Solomon (ESV) / Song of Songs (NIV) as verse 15 is the end of chapter three. Now onward to Isaiah, the first of the Prophetic Books.

Major Prophets

The major prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Ezekial could envision or see things normal people could not see. This reminds me of life today. There are those of us who see trouble in the here and now (high food and gas prices) but also based on the here and now, we can see potential challenges are on the horizon (food and gas shortages).

Isaiah’s Theme

Isaiah “reveals the full dimensions of God’s judgment and salvation.”, according to the NIV Introduction. The God who punishes but then redeems His people, Israel.

Israel is a nation blind and deaf. (6:9-10; 42:7)

NIV Introduction – 1985 version

An excellent example of God using Isaiah is verses 3:16 and 3:17

The Lord says,
    “The women of Zion are haughty,
walking along with outstretched necks,
    flirting with their eyes,
strutting along with swaying hips,
    with ornaments jingling on their ankles.

Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion;

    the Lord will make their scalps bald.”

Isaiah 3:16 – 17

God saw how the women were strutting their stuff and decided enough was enough. He used Isaiah to tell them of their sin and the consequences they would face. It was not just the daughters of Zion’s sins that got called out. Isaiah spends the first 5 chapters calling out all of Israel’s sins. That’s a lot of sin.

Will our country repent and ask forgiveness for there is no difference between the United States and the Israel Isaiah called out.

Imagine how much joy we would all experience if we repented and asked for forgiveness.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. Michele is the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.