Mamas Makin’ It Work – #17

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Hey all! I’m Alyssa from In the Land of Lou. I married my husband, Chad, in January 2010 and gave birth to our first son, Jonah. Our original plan when we got married was to wait five years to have kids. That, obviously, didn’t happen. I found out I was pregnant in November and enjoyed an easy, wonderful pregnancy and an amazing birth experience.  

What I didn’t plan on was being bombarded by depression after my son was born. I was in new-Momma heaven for the first day, when that night in the hospital, I had a major panic attack. I wanted a baby, but what I didn’t realize along with that came a lack of sleep, an influx of hormones, and constant helpless feelings that would consume me.

It has been an uphill battle since that day and since being diagnosed with PPD, but I’ve found a few things that help me ward of the “ickies” (as I have come to call these feelings). My biggest source of strength comes from scripture. I even had the words “Be Still” tattooed on my arm to remind me that according to Exodus 14:14, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.” He can, and He will, get me through any war that Satan will wage with me.

My family and friends have been another huge help, never more than a phone call away and always willing to meet me for coffee, watch Jonah so I can run an errand, or just talk me through a particularly rough patch. I am so blessed in this area.

This battle that I fight is a constant one. The Devil knows my weakness, anxiety, and he will use it in any way that he can against me. But I Make It Work because the LORD is on my side. 

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