Mark Alewine Music is all about helping people press in, press on and then pass it along. Each of these has a special, personal meaning.
Press in comes first...
After seeing my reactions to stress over the years, in late 2010, Cindy and I decided that I needed to seek professional help. I went to a Christian therapist. After 2 sessions, she thought it would be best for me to see a colleague of hers. It was at that point that I knew something was truly going on inside me that needed help.
I don’t recall ever feeling helpless or hopeless before. Previously I would have “decided” that I could handle things myself, but this was different in a huge way. For me to say “yes” to getting help, was a difficult decision. However, now, despair had shown up and I did not like it. Pressing into the moment was key. I could not breathe. I could not sleep. I was embarrassed and ashamed that I actually needed help, but I, indeed, needed help.
To decide to walk into a counseling office again was huge. I knew that I had to dig deeper to get help. I knew that this would probably get worse before it got better. I was repressing memories of some childhood trauma that I did not know about at the time of these sessions. My reactions to stress were not healthy and without exposing these memories, there was no way to get better, to function normally again.
So, I chose to dive in and see what was really going on in my past that could affect me in these adverse ways. I pressed into each session and did my “homework” even though I did not want to. I decided each week to go back for another session and expose more of the hurtful past.
Pressing in was my first choice. I shot up a flare and God answered. It took time (a lot of time) but I have zero regrets. God is Good. Press in to what He wants for you today. Reach out to others who have pressed in already and can give you godly assistance. Feel free to email or message me as well.