When I first started going to therapy, my healing process seemed excruciatingly slow, or even non-existent. There were so many times where I told myself that I was never going to feel better. It felt pointless to try and fix my mental health issues when I could not see any solid progress, nor any fruits of my efforts.
We are taught to be patient. The scriptures use the word “fruit” when describing something like the “fruits” of your actions. Think about an apple tree. How long does it take to plant it, water it, nurture it before you finally get to enjoy an apple? It can take around 5-8 years for an apple tree to produce fruit. But the time that was taken to take care of the tree before seeing the resulting fruits bloomed was not a waste of time. Rather, it was essential to take that time for the tree to grow strong and produce good fruit.
Do we realize that “patience” is an action word? Having patience does not only mean we sit around and wait for something to change. In the case of suffering with anxiety or depression, being patient with it means that we search for the right doctor and therapist, that we keep training our brains to think differently and/or we try out different medication. You are not going to feel better overnight, so you must believe that your efforts are not in vain and someday you will see the fruits of your actions.
In Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:” These feelings that are described in this scripture are a result of our actions when we do what is right. It can take time for a depressed or anxious person to feel peace, joy, or faith. Do not give up in your pursuit of these feelings. The Lord has said:
“Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” (D&C 24:8)
