As a single woman I can some times idolize marriage. When people only show the good parts, thank you for being so honest, and open about how hard marriage can be. I pray that your health improves. In Jesus precious name we pray. 🙏🏾 Amen
Ashley, I am 59 and just want to tell you that everything you are going thru is normal. I went thru what you are going thru in my first year of marriage. In your first year, your are basically trying to get to know a stranger who has different ideas. I have gone thru counseling, and struggle with anxiety and depression since I was 16. Life is hard sweetheart. I just want you to know that you need to take time for yourself just to do nothing, my nothing consists of sitting outside just for a few minutes no matter what the weather is. Another huge factor in your life is that you moved away from your family, that is hard. Please know we are all here for you, and you are loved. I will be praying for you.
The first year of marriage is the hardest. I've been married for thirty-six years and there have been tough seasons. Spiritual warfare can come out of the blue and take you by surprise with its intensity. Habbakuk is a great book to study at such a time. Please give yourself rest times. I will be praying for you: marriage is a huge transition. When I looked back over the first decade and the next two, which is wonderful to do as an exercise in thanksgiving, I realised I had not anticipated the scale of the adjustment. You are so wise to obtain help and you will grow in your ability to counsel others. Thank you for your honesty and openness, Ashley. God bless you and your husband.
steadfastness and perseverance 👏👏👏 heading into my fourth year of marriage and we still figuring it out over here. 2 babies later and learning to trust Him at His word day by day. we love you so much Ash 💖 grateful for your venerable honesty and praying the Lord renews your strength for you are placing your trust in Him!
Thank you for reaching out for prayers. That is important. As a nurse, I was glad you are seeing doctors and counseling. As everyone says, first year of marriage is hard. Change is hard. You are extremely busy with marriage, health, TH-cam, your academy, your blog, your shop. You may be overdoing things right now. You might need to take a sabbatical. Praying for you and your husband. 🙏🙏💜
I'm so sorry, Ashley. I think we as people at times tend to think that once we get married, it's all rainbows and butterflies, and a lot of time people on social media on show the good sides of their lives. But this is real. Thanks for your honesty 🙏
The Best thing you can do to keep your life balanced is: Stay true to a Day Planner, Keep your home environment Clean and organized and stay true to a set schedule. Work Hard every day and Play Hard too. Balance is the Key - Being Married Takes Time, Effort and Energy. It’s a lot for young people to understand - Been there, Done that, Raised 2 kids who are now 37 and 32. Always Remember: The Lord will see you through! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Keep going - The Lord will always be with you 🥰👍🏻
My newlywed life was so hard. It’s actually quite common to struggle in that first year. We ended up in marriage counseling within 3-4 months and it was so needed. We needed work on our communication! Also, I was a fully independent woman prior to marriage and then suddenly I was bound to another person forever! And forever is a long time. 10 years later we still have ups and downs and we’re not always ok despite loving each other. Hang in there. Praying for you!
Yeah, it really never gets better. You just deal with it. My 73-year-old grandmother before she died. My mom asked her if she would want To live her life over? She said a resounding no. I know God creates men and women. I just don’t understand why he doesn’t make us more apt to get along. Why do we have to be so totally different?
My husband and I got married March 4th of this year. 2 weeks later he was let go from his job, we were struggling with how we were going to pay rent. It really put our marriage to the test so early. We just continued to look up and pray and it has made us love each other even more. Prayers were answered and he got a job shortly after. God is and always will be with us! We are starting to realize him being let go from his job was a blessing in disguise. I wanted to ask, do you and Johnny do any couple devotionals or could you share y’all’s routine of studying the Bible together? Prayers for you Ash! ❤️
Hey Ash, I just wanted to share I've been there. My husband and I had a long distance relationship for most of the 2.5 years then got married and moved across the country to a new area where neither of us knew anyone. I left my community, jobs, family and stomping grounds so I felt very untethered and unwell. I cried every single day and this was the first time I experienced depression but I didn't know that was my problem. the crying exhausted me to the core and made me physically affected. The sad part is I didn't feel like I could talk to anyone because I was worried they would judge my decision to get married to my amazing husband or judge our relationship quality or something. It was HARD working through/ironing out the kinks in our relationship since we were newlyweds. Ultimately what helped me was reading the book "battlefield of the mind" by Joyce Meyer, beginning again having quiet time/Bible reading every morning, getting back into my regular running/exercise routine, taking vitamins, getting back on my ADD medicine, getting counseling and establishing a solid routine. I had to force myself to just do the things my body didn't want to like taking a shower and getting moving. You'll get through this !!
Girl me too! It has definitely not been easy or fun when struggles are present. However I have been growing into such a Godly woman this first year of marriage. I am so grateful for it all. ❤Hugs and prayers your way!
Thank you so much for your transparency. Many Christian couples do not know of the challenges, and trials that come as a result of marriage. It's one thing to pray to want to get married, but the true battle is to stay on your knees praying for God to keep your marriage and for the devil to stay out. But I do know God is incredibly faithful and He who begun the great work in you shall surely bring it pass. May God continue to bless and keep the both of you in Jesus name. Also, see if you can get a complete Thyroid panel done--a lot of these symptoms are missed by well meaning doctors. Hypothyroidism is linked to chronic fatigue, exhaustion even after a full night of sleep, depression, weight being up and down, feeling mentally defeated, etc, etc. Hugs.
I have been blessed by hearing this, I to am going through a tough season and it has been an emotional roller coaster and heavy on my mental health aswell. It feels comforting to know I’m not only one but your transparency is a breath of fresh air to many. Life is hard but we have to fight back with the word of God, go to the resources we know are available, and keep praying for the best. Thank you for being being open and honest. May God continue to comfort you and fill you with His peace and strength. And here’s a scripture 😊that is getting me through this moment and hoping it’ll be of help to you too.❤ “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26, Nlt)
So sorry. I’m in a valley. I’m reading what you said. I’ve been asking the Lord what to read in the Bible so thank you Ashley! I’ve been going through stuff and it’s like in every area multiple areas at once. I remind myself that He is greater than all of this. It’s been years for me but I always find refuge in the secret place and I don’t need to beg Him to listen because He hears me. Praying for you🙏. I love what you and your family are doing and thank you so much for your obedience to the Lord.
Hey Ashley, my name is Erin 😊 I really relate to your struggle. I am 25 and have almost reached year 2 in marriage with my sweet husband. Our first year was both beautiful and a struggle at the same time. The first half of it was spent in depression trying figure out newlywed life as well as societal pressures and expectations people had on our marriage, who we really still have to test with scripture. The second half of the first year consisted of me dealing with chronic nausea due to a sinus infection that had been caused by a tooth. I lost 20 pounds in 2 months and became underweight. My husband also dealt with some mental health issues after that was all said and done. We have also consistently been dealing with financial struggles. This year my husband’s father passed away with colon cancer after fighting the battle for 4 years. I know I just unloaded a lot of testimony on you, but we know without a doubt that clinging to the Lord is what helped us to persevere through all that and made us and our marriage stronger. My husband and I are much more in love with each other now than we were when we got married 2 years ago and we know it will keep growing if we keep God at center, and experiencing trials in the Lord really strengthened our bond. Now we are about to welcome our first baby girl into the world any day now praise be to God! The Lord has also used the pregnancy to help heal my body from the illness and anxiety revolving around being nauseous all the time. All this to say, I know your story may not look like or turn out like like mine but continue clinging to God, no matter how long this tough season lasts. I’ve found that Jesus’ words “In this world you will have trouble” are there for a reason, but also the end of the sentence “but take heart, I have overcome the world” is also there to encourage us as well. As Christ followers we have the amazing ability to rejoice in the Lord always even when it feels like we are incapable because we can do all things through Christ. I have found that to really reign true more and more, especially in marriage. Keep on sister, fight the good fight of faith. I’ll be praying hard for you and your marriage. ❤ I hope to have encouraged you 💕
In no particular order, top stressors in life: Marriage Death of a loved one Having children change of job Moving Illness You moved and you got married. That’s not including the ongoing health issues you have. Pray together, learn to compromise with your differences, and lower your expectations for what you think marriage should look like. The honeymoon phase is more about the excitement related to intimacy, and all of the new experiences you are having together, not everything working out perfectly in the beginning. You are creating a whole new life together that isn’t your routine or his routine, but a blend of the two. It’s a loss of self and it’s both scary and exciting. Good stress is still stress. Lean on God and each other (build your house on rock), and you’ll be fine!
Hi Ashley, thank you for sharing. I too have been dealing with mental health issues, depression anxiety, and self-esteem issues since elementary school. It started to get bad last summer. It got so bad I told my doctor to give me medication two months ago. I felt was losing my mind. I did get the medication but I got scared of the side effects. I decided to immerse. Myself in the Word of God instead. It's been a process but it's gotten so much better. I still have my moments, but I know Holy Spirit will help me threw this. Please keep my husband and me in your prayers.
Yes, there was a Christian TH-camr I follow who got married 1 month before you, Ashley, & it kinda sounds like she went through something similar. She said in a video that she felt oppression, depression, like a heaviness spirit, hopeless come upon her. She felt this heaviness even when she prayed. She wanted to dissociate & get out of bed late. Finally she asked God what was happening to her & to help her. God told her "joy." She ended up realizing she let the enemy steal her joy through circumstances, yielding to strife, disagreements, & offense. Joy: The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:18). In God's presence, there's fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11) God reminded her to start off her quiet time with praise (bc the enemy can't stand a praiser). After she praised God w/ praise songs, she was able to breakthrough in prayer & get into God's manifest presence. God deserves a sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15) Remember in the story of Jericho, the Israelites marched around the city, praised God, & the walls fell down. The enemy's walls falling down when you praise Him. You should watch the whole video it's called, "There is hope" YT channel: Faith With Vivian. I hope you read this comment & it helps.
Hi Ash! Thank you for sharing this season of your life. I've been going through hard times myself and truly the word of God has been me refuge. Take care. God bless.
Ashley, thank you so much for sharing this. How raw and honest you, Taylor, and Mentor Mama are is one of the reasons I think you are the best channel on TH-cam bar none. Also, you are 100% not alone, this has been a very tough season for me and my family as well. But I pray that this only makes us lean into the Lord even more-He will never leave or forsake us! Thank you for those encouraging verses, I will etch them in my heart in the coming days and weeks. Psalms 91:1 is another one I turn to during emotional emergencies. It’s an easy one to remember because when times are tough, call on “911” ☺️
Praying for you, Ashley! I’ve been watching you and your sister for so many years now and y’all have such a special place in my heart. I feel like I’ve watched you guys grow older as I’ve also grown, and I love that. This season of your life sounds so tough and hard, but just know that you’re so loved and being prayed for fervently❤❤❤
I will check out the Book of Habakkuk as I, too, am going through a tough time and have been for a few years with my health. I love that you keep it real and admit that you are struggling right now. The stereotypes are not real life! I know you and Johnny can work together and it is a big learning curve. We all learn patience and compromise when we are living with loved ones. This is how we learn to support each other in whatever they are going through. You are not alone. We love you, too, Ashley! I will be praying for your mental and physical health and for breakthroughs to happen for both, you and Johnny. Love from Canada ❤️🇨🇦
Ashley, thank you for sharing your struggles and being vulnerable. I have been struggling with depression, & anxiety for almost 1 year. Ive been seeing a Christian counselor for 6 months. My Dr put me on antidepressants about 1 month ago. (praying that it's only for a short season) but after 1 month of medication, I am finally starting to feel better. I have energy, and my mental focus is better so that I can receive all the benefits of counseling. Of course, being in God's Word and praying is a MUST and that has also been effective. However, I was not in a right mental state to reap the benefits of counseling, Bible reading, etc. You are an encouragement to all of us! God bless. This too shall pass❤️
Wow, Ashley! I started a new job 8 months ago & my struggle these pasts months compare to what you just shared with us. You're definitely not alone. Praying for you guys.
Hi, Ashley, continue to trust and lean on the Lord Jesus Christ; he will never leave you nor forsake you. We all go through seasons like this various different reasons. Times like this also helps us to remember to always have compassion for others because we don't know how they may be suffering. God Bless you and John and keep the Lord in your marriage. God Bless. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Ashley! I can understand you very well! I am married for almost two years now and the first year was a big adjustment for me and I had so much trouble and questions in my heart. It was emotional very exhausting. But I could grow through these difficulties and let God be my rock and helper. It ist good and nessesary that you have a person to counsel you and maybe both of you. All the best to you!
Aw Ash, I’m so sorry for all you’re going through, spoken and unspoken. ❤ That first year of marriage is so tough, at least it was for me. I can relate to mental health and physical health challenges too. Right now I’m in a very difficult season too. This honest video blessed me so much. Praying for you! ❤❤
I’ve been feeling kind of out of control too. I’ve also been struggling mentally and feeling tired like you said. I’m right there. Thanks for the verses and Truth.
I fully understand what you’re going through, I’m 37 and I feel you ❤ getting married, moving in together and moving away from your family who have been a constant in your whole life is a big deal! You will get through it all, go through the motions your feelings are valid and I promise it does get better. Blessings to you ❤️
Me and my fiance are getting married this October and this video was something we're definetly gonna take into consideration. We're very blessed that our church gives us counseling BEFORE our wedding. We can always have it during our marriage as well obviously, but the fact that we get to have counseling before it is a huge blessing for both of us. Counseling begins next month. God bless you and Johnny Ashley!
Sister! Thank you for sharing. I know this was encouraging! I'm also going through Habbakuk with BSF. I really need to dig into it though. I've just read it but familiar passages are jumping out at me. Toward the end of 2021 it was such a hard season of sharpening and pruning. But God! He is faithful to keep His children and He will keep you. Just abide in Him❤❤❤ Love to you and your husband.
Thank you so much for posting today. I got married on the same day that you did. Today is so hard. I've been crying all day. I needed this so much. I moved to a new town and all the newlyweds here seem to be so happy and it's so hard. It's really lonely someday. I'm so thankful for your Chanel.
Wow! So AMAZING! We got married on the same day!!! It is really hard sometimes.. I know EXACTLY how you feel. You are not alone! We will get through this with the Lord! :)
I remember when I married my husband and moved to live with him and leaving not only your family but all your familiar surroundings is such a jolt that paired with trying to keep our perfect idea of what marriage is together is a recipe for a hot mess express that was 23 years ago and I’m still here so give your self grace and space allow yourself to express all of your emotions and don’t let the small stuff get you down ❤
You're definitely not alone, same here, going through a valley. But I know God is close to the broken-hearted and we just cry out to our Lord Jesus 🙏 God bless you Ash and your marriage. The righteous live by faith. Sometimes I think we go through hard seasons so we could help others. You are known, seen and loved ❤🙏
I relate to you with the combination of physical and mental health struggles. Thank you so much for not only sharing your story, but constantly pointing your struggles back to God. You've encouraged so many of us and I pray that the Lord keeps you strong in your faith, and encourages you by showing you that your faith is genuine. TH-cam and other social media often makes people's lives look glamorous, so I just appreciate your honesty. Praying God's peace for anyone else who is experiencing this as well.
Here is my personal struggle: I have times where I read and pray and walk in His peace and joy, then I turn around and it's like I shut down and stop praying, stop reading, and binge watch videos or movies. I want to be more disciplined but I find it very difficult when I'm in those shut down, tune out times. It's easy to say, "just do it", but it isn't that way at all. I feel like my life is still in survival mode and I'm tired. I need things to change.
@@coffeegirls For Mentor Mama (and girls): Have you ever heard of SCRUPULOSITY? I am not seeking mental or emotional counsel from you, I know you aren't certified and do not hold you accountable. I'm asking if you know anything about it and what your take is on it. And maybe Mentor Mama could find a professional to speak on this subject on a podcast (even videos)??? Thank you for listening. God bless and keep you all. ❤
Ash, you are so sweet and loved and beautiful inside and out. I’ve struggled in triage areas too and I’m an adult woman. Like you said it’s not an overnight healing but a journey and process with the Lord. Certainly, healing will come and is coming. If only it would happen just in an instant lol 😅 I recommend the song “Trust in the Lord from Elevation” and the last two sermons from pastor Steven Furtick at Elevation church called “Ugly Trust” and “Delayed Praise” all about the psalm 34 and the story behind David’s life when he wrote that “I searched the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears” while scaping from 7 from Saul while he was promised to be a King, and how he ended up living in the enemy territory for 16 months. Send you lot of virtual hearts and hugs and I’ll be praying for you and the blessing coming out of this season. You’ll see the fruit 🌳 as in Psalm 1, bears fruit jn every season. Val 💕 from 🇦🇷 😊
Yes the first year of marriage is hard! You can make it and the Lord will help you. I think living with someone and being away from your family is very difficult. I hope you're taking some time to yourself to relax and enjoy some time to yourself. I always keep you in my prayers!
I pray that God give you His strength and grace as you journey through this season Ash! Love the work you do and the truth you speak and more importantly, God loves you❤
Sorry to hear things have been hard Ashley! Im not married, but I have seen friends who are experienced similar. They actually discovered that lots of their emotional / mental problems were hormone induced by introducing contraceptive medications. I don't know if you have been told that or have thought of switching medications if not - it worked for a friend of mine so thought it worth sharing!
That happened to me when I was first married. What's worse was coming off of them. It was THE WORST mental and physical experience I've had (especially with that period, tmi sorry). It took me like a year to recover.
It’s amazing, how God always reminds me of what I’ve forgotten through your videos. It’s also been a very challenging season for me mentally physically and emotionally it’s been a rollercoster and although I’ve trusted in the Lord sometimes my thoughts and own emotions get a hold of God’s truth that has already been spoken over my life. It’s a test of Faith or like you said a spiritual battle. Thank you for sharing, very encouraging.
Praying for you… Girl 1st 3 years of my marriage were the hardest… So worth it but hard.. Moving away from Home alone is hard. Give yourself Grace what you are going through is normal, So proud that you are recognizing it and getting counseling.
Sister you are not alone! I have been been dealing with fear. Just be careful not to Stress out. God calls us not to worry. Pray and also look at some holistic routes . There maybe an imbalance in hormones. I’m going through a holistic route. Be strong in the lord.
Ashley, I love your honesty and love for the LORD. One thing you’ve shared before is the difficulty of being away from your family. Have you considered taking 6 months or however God leads to let your body, mind and emotions ease into this change? Maybe month 1 you drive to see you family every weekend. Month 2, you see them the 1st weekend, stay in town the 2nd, and see them the 3rd and 4th weekends. Month #3 and 4 you drive down every other weekend. Month 5 and 6 you drive down every third weekend. You could adjust and have something concrete to look forward to and knowing you would see them. I know it’s not ideal as a pastor’s wife to be gone - but it would be short term and might benefit everyone longer term. Love and prayers💕🙏
This video brought me to tears, it just came up in my recommended … I’ve really been struggling with just feeling very sad and depressed and not understanding really truly why. I’ve been married 8 months and I feel guilty feeling sad because we recently got married, and everything should be going well.. & overall it is and I’m so happy God brought us together, and I love being married but it’s hard and especially when u don’t understand why your feeling the way you are.
I've heard the first year in marriage can be overwhelming and comes woth a lot of changes. I personally know I will for sure struggle with all the change. Thank you for sharing your journey ❤💕
Hi Ashley, thank you for sharing your honesty with us and giving the time to make this video even you are going through a hard season and with a busy schedule always… I’m 47 single and I have stage 4 cancer. last couple months I was in a hospital and was going through the hardest time not just physically but emotionally and mentally. I learned that when you physically fatigue or feel weak you typically have bad thoughts and they effect our emotions and mental health. Anyway please take it easy slow down and be gentle to your yourself. I believe you already know and you need no advice but I pray for you and the lord is with you always. Love you. ❤❤❤
Thank you for sharing your struggles. It reminds me that we're all battling against some sort of ennemy within or outside. I pray that the Lord gives you insight in what is the root problem for your issues as well as strategies to conquer them. In Yeshua mighty Name I pray, AMEN🙏🔥🌈
I'm sure people have already mentioned this but our mental health is directly connected to our physical health. When I first got married I had a similar experience. As an anxiety prone person I really struggled with the changes of living in another place, with another person etc. Even just sleeping in a bed with another person, I struggled with sleep deprivation because I couldn't sleep with someone else there! When we feel out of control I know my body goes for exhaustion to sort of shut down and relax as a solution which isn't hugely helpful 😅 but please know that a lot of this is normal! Change is hard, and marriage is one of the biggest life changes you can go through. The trials grow your love for one another 💕🙏
Praying for you Ashley, I hope and pray you get answers with your health. You are doing amazing friend! Marriage is hard, 12 years married and honestly it doesn't get easier you just realize to lean on God in the most difficult times and in the good times.
I truly appreciate this channel so much. The honesty and transparency is just so beautiful and the fact that I too can relate to what you're saying and know that I am not alone in my struggles. Thank you so much, and may God continue to bless your ministry. And I will keep you in my prayers🤍 All love from South Africa🇿🇦❤️❤️
I’m so proud of you for being vulnerable and sharing how you feel. Because we all go through this valley of feeling this. You aren’t alone sister, prayers and love going out to you!
I know you’ve been reading this a million times, but it bears repeating: the first year of marriage is HARD. I got married at 23, and that first year…phew. Satan really loves freshly married couples. You’d think that period would be blissful, but for us and I believe most couples, it’s one of the hardest. I’ll be praying over your and your husband. I’ve been married now for 5 years and praise God we made it past that rough first year!
Thanks Ashley... I'm almost 9 months married now. And I so recognize the "it's hard". We both knew first year might be hard...But in reality how it feels when it's hard, we weren't expecting that. And though we have also been really blessed in things, the moments of over-emotionalness... it's just so heavy. We waited on marriage, which is still an amazing testimony. And I also recognize spiritual warfare. But man have I cried these months. More than past years together over my 'singleness'. Also anxiety and insecureties and things from my childhood, everything is coming up again. We both have to learn and grow. It; s good to know there are other people in the same season and going to the same kind of struggles. Thanks. Going to read habbakuk.
We all are with you Ash.. We all go through hard seasons, you're not alone. And you know in Exodus 17 when the Amalek and his people came to fight the Israelites, Mosses went high to the top of the mountain and Raised his hand high above to the Almighty God, which signifies for me the act of a full surrender. The Israleites prevailed whenever Mosses hands were held high. And when Mosses lowered his hands Amalek prevailed. So some times we just don't understand what's happening and all we can do is to raise our hands high in full surrender and yeah just like mosses we may even be tired to keep our hands held high but Just like Aaron and Hur held mosses Hands high, God will provide poeple who will be by your sides to help you keep your hands held high. Don't give in, don't give up, In whatever thing we raised our hands high and above to the throne of God, God's fighting for us in our places just like he has fought for the Israelites. We love you and we are with you in our prayers Ash❤
Hi Ashley thanks for sharing personal struggles. I can say that I'm going through some of the same struggles you are...mentally. It's hard but I feel like that's the Lord forming my character and wanting me to mature more as a Christian woman. Like you said. But I do remember that there's seasons for everything and that seasons are temporary. I know you're going to be fine. Rest in the Lord 🙂
Thank you for posting this video and being so vulnerable 💕 I’ll be praying for you. I was in this season not to long ago and I’m doing much better now! It gets better just continue to have faith because at times you may be hopeless but Jesus heals. And Ik you said it will take time to fix things and in some instances that may be true but have faith that God can also heal you overnight! Love you ❤️
The first 5 years of marriage are the HARDEST. My husband and I celebrated two years of marriage last month, and we are still struggling. I will say though, that our first year of marriage was SO HARD. This year is better, but life is still hard and stressful. Everyone goes through these seasons, EVERY ONE. I am sort-of in a season (with being a Christian) right now, where I'm doubting everything. It's just a normal human emotion. Marriage is hard, but it is so rewarding and it's so amazing. Praying for you. God Bless.
Hi all good morning Ashley happy Saturday morning and happy weekend and I just wanted to say that you all amazing Supporter and I'm proud of all of you
Sending you so much love and sending up prayers, Ashley. Life can really throw us challenges and difficulties at times, and even though we know this it can still hit us hard. May the Lord fight on both you and Jonny’s behalf as you face this current battle as you hold tight to the truth held in Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn..” And when you grow weary and heavy laden may you lean your head against the Lord, who alone holds you secure, knowing that all does not depend on you. He’s got you and He’s got this situation. 💛💛🙏🙏
Ashley, l learned in the path with God is not my way, it is His way, and His plan is so much better than ours. Learning by trusting our loving Father. I wish l could hug you sweetheart, and tell you it does get so much easier to surrender every situation. He truly heals, he does not want us to carry those burdens, he wants to make us whole and became the daughters He has intended us to be. At 51yrs old l know now how much my father love feels like beyond what l could imagine.
I'm 29 been married for 7 years and 1st year is definitely the hardest as you are basically getting to know each other and learning how each person lives and does stuff it does get easier
Praying for you, Ash! I love COFFEE AND BIBLE TIME and COFFEE GIRLS vids. They are part of my daily Bible time with the Lord. :) Thank you for being real and raw about where you are in every stage of life. It's such an encouragement to me, as an aspiring future TH-camr and fellow Christian.
Hi Ashley. I love the new shirt it’s adorable. 😊I’m sorry you are struggling. You are definitely not alone. Life is hard. Especially when you are trying to walk with the Lord bc Satan, he hates that. He’s throwing every arrow he can to take us down. But praise God bc we have victory in him. No matter how bad our situation is or how far away we feel from God, when we feel hopeless and exhausted he is near. Walking along side us. Picking us up and guiding us along the way. He will never fail us. He is so faithful. I’m a stay at home homeschool mama and Satan is trying to rip my marriage apart. So I have all of these areas in my life too that I’m struggling with. Raising my babies in the Godless generation is tough. I just have to keep remembering that this is not our home, but while we are here we have to keep fighting the good fight of faith. He will sustain us and get us through every moment if we continue to abide in his word and stay close with him. I pray that you feel his goodness today and that you have peace in your home and joy in your life. And I pray blessings over your marriage. You are so so beautiful” Ashely. Don’t give up ♥️ love you sister!!!!
Keep making art. That will help you express what you can't say with words. A lot of our health issues stem from the things we keep to ourselves in the depths of our hearts. Love you
You will get through this season. It is going to hurt. Growth hurts. Change hurts. You will be stronger, more able to minister to other women, more effective in prayers and actions. Both you and Johnny might need to spend quality time with each other and without outside influence for a short time. Choose each other daily. Choose to do the hard stuff anyways. Kinda like eating kale. You choose to eat it because it's good for you. Cake feels better but it's not beneficial. Choose the kale of marriage. Go on dates, pray together every day before anyone leaves, pray together every night before you go to bed, do the dishes together, walk with each other when you take the trash out, get the mail together, get groceries together, shop for new underwear together (lol), go to the post office together, visit family together, what God has joined together let no man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6). Do errands together. Brush your teeth together. Spend so much time together and learn each other inside and out. Intimacy doesn't always have to be sexual. Love languages can change over time too. Do what's best for you guys. Communicate how things make you feel and what you can do to fix or change behaviors or perceptions. Marriage is hard work and well worth it, just like anything else in life. Go on a date even if you don't feel like it. Go to the park, play frisbee, go get an iced tea somewhere and sit in the car and talk, talk for hours, stare at each other, spend quality time. =) 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
I'm 56 and single but going through the same stuff emotionally and mentally - physically exhausted, depressed. mainly issues at work. but ps 139 has been a reminder fo rme, the part about God knowing where I am and especially the part aobut how dark is not dark but light to God - He can see in that darkness when we can't and we're not alone in it. may not like it in the dark but we're not alone and we DO come back up. hard to remember that when it's dark but we do come back up
i know how you feel but it's awsome to see you still trusting in God even in hard times he never leaves us he is soo good his love is beyond measure he knew our us before we were even born every time we feel sad hurt broken he still rememebers us he is such a good father i'll be praying for you GOD bless you
Dear Ashley, always lovely! You know, sometimes, our hearts have personal idols such as roots that we build around ouselves. This can be a place, an environment, a person, a community, etc. When these are budged, or even removed, we find it sooooooo difficult. I have been there with my home town. Had to move, chose too, anyways.....and wow, for a looooooooooooooong time I struggled with sad, hard feelings. Days were hard. Through months and even years. Then a person told me to let go of my idol (my hometown) and that my 'all' should be with God, not where I am living. That hit me. I am still missing so much my "place" but, now I understand. My home, environment, is with God, anywhere I am. Not easy, won´t be, but now I understand. You are an amazing woman. Thank you for your video!!
I am so sorry you’re going through such a hard time! I will be praying for you. Even in your hard time you are a light to so many people and to me. I am having a hard time. Finically and mentally. I’ve been through so much in the past almost 9 months and I don’t know how much longer I can take of it. I will trust God! He has always got me through everything in my life. Why am I doubting that He can get me through this too? I will be reading Habakuk and James. I think I really need it! Thank you for all you do! ❤
Good to see you Ashley! You look so pretty and your hair looks amazing. I know exactly how you feel. It has been something health wise since October. I have felt spiritually, physically and mentally attacked. I did find out that I’m vitamin B1 deficient. I’m starting to feel better. It could be a vitamin deficiency or it could be hormones are off balance. I will pray for you, love you Ash, hope you get to feeling better. ❤️🙏
As another of your viewers who mentioned a vitamin deficiency, Drs don't pull those in regular panels unless requested. Though I have anxiety disorder, I specifically asked for iron and vitamin d panels, and my doctor warned me that perhaps insurance wouldn't cover it, so she tried to ask specific questions that would help get them covered. They were both deficient, and I suspect even more even though I have a degree in nutrition and eat a balanced diet. As I have been supplimenting, my energy levels and mood has been improving. I also learned of a very specific allergy that was bothering me for three years which caused multiple symptoms. I pray God reveals your path to healing.
አይዞሽ ('take heart'), my dear. I'll pray for you.
You are loved!
As a single woman I can some times idolize marriage. When people only show the good parts, thank you for being so honest, and open about how hard marriage can be. I pray that your health improves. In Jesus precious name we pray. 🙏🏾 Amen
Thank you friend!!!
Ashley, I am 59 and just want to tell you that everything you are going thru is normal. I went thru what you are going thru in my first year of marriage. In your first year, your are basically trying to get to know a stranger who has different ideas. I have gone thru counseling, and struggle with anxiety and depression since I was 16. Life is hard sweetheart. I just want you to know that you need to take time for yourself just to do nothing, my nothing consists of sitting outside just for a few minutes no matter what the weather is. Another huge factor in your life is that you moved away from your family, that is hard. Please know we are all here for you, and you are loved. I will be praying for you.
awww thank you SO MUCH! This was so encouraging!!!! ❤❤❤
1st year is definitely the toughest
Be honest it never gets better. I am 59 and it never gets better. Two people with two different ideas of the right way.
Thank you Jesus bible reading my life from zero to hero
The first year of marriage is the hardest. I've been married for thirty-six years and there have been tough seasons. Spiritual warfare can come out of the blue and take you by surprise with its intensity. Habbakuk is a great book to study at such a time. Please give yourself rest times. I will be praying for you: marriage is a huge transition. When I looked back over the first decade and the next two, which is wonderful to do as an exercise in thanksgiving, I realised I had not anticipated the scale of the adjustment. You are so wise to obtain help and you will grow in your ability to counsel others. Thank you for your honesty and openness, Ashley. God bless you and your husband.
Thank you friend! That is so reassuring to hear!
The first year of marriage is HARD. But literally no one talks about it.
Just know you are not alone. Praying for you 🙏🏼 You will come out stronger.
steadfastness and perseverance 👏👏👏
heading into my fourth year of marriage and we still figuring it out over here. 2 babies later and learning to trust Him at His word day by day. we love you so much Ash 💖 grateful for your venerable honesty and praying the Lord renews your strength for you are placing your trust in Him!
Thank you for reaching out for prayers. That is important. As a nurse, I was glad you are seeing doctors and counseling. As everyone says, first year of marriage is hard. Change is hard. You are extremely busy with marriage, health, TH-cam, your academy, your blog, your shop. You may be overdoing things right now. You might need to take a sabbatical. Praying for you and your husband. 🙏🙏💜
I'm so sorry, Ashley. I think we as people at times tend to think that once we get married, it's all rainbows and butterflies, and a lot of time people on social media on show the good sides of their lives. But this is real. Thanks for your honesty 🙏
❤❤❤❤
The Best thing you can do to keep your life balanced is: Stay true to a Day Planner, Keep your home environment Clean and organized and stay true to a set schedule. Work Hard every day and Play Hard too. Balance is the Key - Being Married Takes Time, Effort and Energy. It’s a lot for young people to understand - Been there, Done that, Raised 2 kids who are now 37 and 32. Always Remember: The Lord will see you through! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Keep going - The Lord will always be with you 🥰👍🏻
❤ Thank you friend!
My newlywed life was so hard. It’s actually quite common to struggle in that first year. We ended up in marriage counseling within 3-4 months and it was so needed. We needed work on our communication! Also, I was a fully independent woman prior to marriage and then suddenly I was bound to another person forever! And forever is a long time. 10 years later we still have ups and downs and we’re not always ok despite loving each other. Hang in there. Praying for you!
Thanks for the encouragement.. It sounds like a common struggle!!!!
Yeah, it really never gets better. You just deal with it. My 73-year-old grandmother before she died. My mom asked her if she would want To live her life over? She said a resounding no. I know God creates men and women. I just don’t understand why he doesn’t make us more apt to get along. Why do we have to be so totally different?
My husband and I got married March 4th of this year. 2 weeks later he was let go from his job, we were struggling with how we were going to pay rent. It really put our marriage to the test so early. We just continued to look up and pray and it has made us love each other even more. Prayers were answered and he got a job shortly after. God is and always will be with us! We are starting to realize him being let go from his job was a blessing in disguise.
I wanted to ask, do you and Johnny do any couple devotionals or could you share y’all’s routine of studying the Bible together? Prayers for you Ash! ❤️
Hey Ash, I just wanted to share I've been there. My husband and I had a long distance relationship for most of the 2.5 years then got married and moved across the country to a new area where neither of us knew anyone. I left my community, jobs, family and stomping grounds so I felt very untethered and unwell. I cried every single day and this was the first time I experienced depression but I didn't know that was my problem. the crying exhausted me to the core and made me physically affected. The sad part is I didn't feel like I could talk to anyone because I was worried they would judge my decision to get married to my amazing husband or judge our relationship quality or something. It was HARD working through/ironing out the kinks in our relationship since we were newlyweds. Ultimately what helped me was reading the book "battlefield of the mind" by Joyce Meyer, beginning again having quiet time/Bible reading every morning, getting back into my regular running/exercise routine, taking vitamins, getting back on my ADD medicine, getting counseling and establishing a solid routine. I had to force myself to just do the things my body didn't want to like taking a shower and getting moving. You'll get through this !!
Thank you for sharing your testimony! It will help me overcome ❤❤❤❤
Girl me too! It has definitely not been easy or fun when struggles are present. However I have been growing into such a Godly woman this first year of marriage. I am so grateful for it all. ❤Hugs and prayers your way!
Me too :)))) All of this will help sanctify us!
Rebuke and bind the spirits! Congrats for accepting the lords assignment. I cried and cried going through warfare! Victory is yours❤
Thank you so much for your transparency. Many Christian couples do not know of the challenges, and trials that come as a result of marriage. It's one thing to pray to want to get married, but the true battle is to stay on your knees praying for God to keep your marriage and for the devil to stay out. But I do know God is incredibly faithful and He who begun the great work in you shall surely bring it pass. May God continue to bless and keep the both of you in Jesus name.
Also, see if you can get a complete Thyroid panel done--a lot of these symptoms are missed by well meaning doctors. Hypothyroidism is linked to chronic fatigue, exhaustion even after a full night of sleep, depression, weight being up and down, feeling mentally defeated, etc, etc. Hugs.
I have been blessed by hearing this, I to am going through a tough season and it has been an emotional roller coaster and heavy on my mental health aswell. It feels comforting to know I’m not only one but your transparency is a breath of fresh air to many. Life is hard but we have to fight back with the word of God, go to the resources we know are available, and keep praying for the best. Thank you for being being open and honest. May God continue to comfort you and fill you with His peace and strength. And here’s a scripture 😊that is getting me through this moment and hoping it’ll be of help to you too.❤
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26, Nlt)
AMEN AMEN AMEN! THAT VERSE! I love it! Thank you!!!!
@@coffeegirls YOUR WELCOME! ☺️
So sorry. I’m in a valley. I’m reading what you said. I’ve been asking the Lord what to read in the Bible so thank you Ashley! I’ve been going through stuff and it’s like in every area multiple areas at once. I remind myself that He is greater than all of this. It’s been years for me but I always find refuge in the secret place and I don’t need to beg Him to listen because He hears me. Praying for you🙏. I love what you and your family are doing and thank you so much for your obedience to the Lord.
I love that you said "I don't need to beg Him to listen because He hears me" wow. So encouraging. Thanks for this!
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Hey Ashley, my name is Erin 😊 I really relate to your struggle. I am 25 and have almost reached year 2 in marriage with my sweet husband.
Our first year was both beautiful and a struggle at the same time. The first half of it was spent in depression trying figure out newlywed life as well as societal pressures and expectations people had on our marriage, who we really still have to test with scripture. The second half of the first year consisted of me dealing with chronic nausea due to a sinus infection that had been caused by a tooth. I lost 20 pounds in 2 months and became underweight. My husband also dealt with some mental health issues after that was all said and done. We have also consistently been dealing with financial struggles. This year my husband’s father passed away with colon cancer after fighting the battle for 4 years.
I know I just unloaded a lot of testimony on you, but we know without a doubt that clinging to the Lord is what helped us to persevere through all that and made us and our marriage stronger. My husband and I are much more in love with each other now than we were when we got married 2 years ago and we know it will keep growing if we keep God at center, and experiencing trials in the Lord really strengthened our bond.
Now we are about to welcome our first baby girl into the world any day now praise be to God! The Lord has also used the pregnancy to help heal my body from the illness and anxiety revolving around being nauseous all the time.
All this to say, I know your story may not look like or turn out like like mine but continue clinging to God, no matter how long this tough season lasts. I’ve found that Jesus’ words “In this world you will have trouble” are there for a reason, but also the end of the sentence “but take heart, I have overcome the world” is also there to encourage us as well. As Christ followers we have the amazing ability to rejoice in the Lord always even when it feels like we are incapable because we can do all things through Christ. I have found that to really reign true more and more, especially in marriage. Keep on sister, fight the good fight of faith. I’ll be praying hard for you and your marriage. ❤
I hope to have encouraged you 💕
In no particular order, top stressors in life:
Marriage
Death of a loved one
Having children
change of job
Moving
Illness
You moved and you got married. That’s not including the ongoing health issues you have. Pray together, learn to compromise with your differences, and lower your expectations for what you think marriage should look like. The honeymoon phase is more about the excitement related to intimacy, and all of the new experiences you are having together, not everything working out perfectly in the beginning. You are creating a whole new life together that isn’t your routine or his routine, but a blend of the two. It’s a loss of self and it’s both scary and exciting. Good stress is still stress. Lean on God and each other (build your house on rock), and you’ll be fine!
Hi Ashley, thank you for sharing. I too have been dealing with mental health issues, depression anxiety, and self-esteem issues since elementary school. It started to get bad last summer. It got so bad I told my doctor to give me medication two months ago.
I felt was losing my mind. I did get the medication but I got scared of the side effects. I decided to immerse. Myself in the Word of God instead. It's been a process but it's gotten so much better. I still have my moments, but I know Holy Spirit will help me threw this. Please keep my husband and me in your prayers.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! It is SO encouraging to hear!!!
Yes, there was a Christian TH-camr I follow who got married 1 month before you, Ashley, & it kinda sounds like she went through something similar. She said in a video that she felt oppression, depression, like a heaviness spirit, hopeless come upon her. She felt this heaviness even when she prayed. She wanted to dissociate & get out of bed late. Finally she asked God what was happening to her & to help her. God told her "joy." She ended up realizing she let the enemy steal her joy through circumstances, yielding to strife, disagreements, & offense.
Joy: The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:18). In God's presence, there's fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)
God reminded her to start off her quiet time with praise (bc the enemy can't stand a praiser). After she praised God w/ praise songs, she was able to breakthrough in prayer & get into God's manifest presence.
God deserves a sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15)
Remember in the story of Jericho, the Israelites marched around the city, praised God, & the walls fell down. The enemy's walls falling down when you praise Him.
You should watch the whole video it's called, "There is hope" YT channel: Faith With Vivian. I hope you read this comment & it helps.
Hi Ash! Thank you for sharing this season of your life. I've been going through hard times myself and truly the word of God has been me refuge. Take care. God bless.
Ashley, thank you so much for sharing this. How raw and honest you, Taylor, and Mentor Mama are is one of the reasons I think you are the best channel on TH-cam bar none.
Also, you are 100% not alone, this has been a very tough season for me and my family as well. But I pray that this only makes us lean into the Lord even more-He will never leave or forsake us! Thank you for those encouraging verses, I will etch them in my heart in the coming days and weeks. Psalms 91:1 is another one I turn to during emotional emergencies. It’s an easy one to remember because when times are tough, call on “911” ☺️
amen! So encouraging... Praying for you too my friend!
Praying for you, Ashley! I’ve been watching you and your sister for so many years now and y’all have such a special place in my heart. I feel like I’ve watched you guys grow older as I’ve also grown, and I love that. This season of your life sounds so tough and hard, but just know that you’re so loved and being prayed for fervently❤❤❤
Beautiful beautiful sharing...love this...may God see you through...you are not alone...❤❤ Thank you so so much for your honesty and vulnerability...
I will check out the Book of Habakkuk as I, too, am going through a tough time and have been for a few years with my health. I love that you keep it real and admit that you are struggling right now. The stereotypes are not real life! I know you and Johnny can work together and it is a big learning curve. We all learn patience and compromise when we are living with loved ones. This is how we learn to support each other in whatever they are going through. You are not alone. We love you, too, Ashley! I will be praying for your mental and physical health and for breakthroughs to happen for both, you and Johnny. Love from Canada ❤️🇨🇦
“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
Psalm 23:3 KJV
Ashley, thank you for sharing your struggles and being vulnerable. I have been struggling with depression, & anxiety for almost 1 year. Ive been seeing a Christian counselor for 6 months. My Dr put me on antidepressants about 1 month ago. (praying that it's only for a short season) but after 1 month of medication, I am finally starting to feel better. I have energy, and my mental focus is better so that I can receive all the benefits of counseling. Of course, being in God's Word and praying is a MUST and that has also been effective. However, I was not in a right mental state to reap the benefits of counseling, Bible reading, etc. You are an encouragement to all of us! God bless. This too shall pass❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your mental health journey - and what a blessing that you are feeling better now! Praise God!!!
This encourages me so much!! Im also recently married and having a hard time. But these kinda vlogs help me. Thank you!!
You are not alone :)
Wow, Ashley! I started a new job 8 months ago & my struggle these pasts months compare to what you just shared with us. You're definitely not alone. Praying for you guys.
Praying for you too friend ❤❤❤
Hi, Ashley, continue to trust and lean on the Lord Jesus Christ; he will never leave you nor forsake you. We all go through seasons like this various different reasons. Times like this also helps us to remember to always have compassion for others because we don't know how they may be suffering. God Bless you and John and keep the Lord in your marriage. God Bless. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Ashley! I can understand you very well! I am married for almost two years now and the first year was a big adjustment for me and I had so much trouble and questions in my heart. It was emotional very exhausting. But I could grow through these difficulties and let God be my rock and helper. It ist good and nessesary that you have a person to counsel you and maybe both of you. All the best to you!
Aw Ash, I’m so sorry for all you’re going through, spoken and unspoken. ❤ That first year of marriage is so tough, at least it was for me. I can relate to mental health and physical health challenges too. Right now I’m in a very difficult season too. This honest video blessed me so much. Praying for you! ❤❤
Praying for you friend!
@@coffeegirls thank you ❤️
I’ve been feeling kind of out of control too. I’ve also been struggling mentally and feeling tired like you said. I’m right there. Thanks for the verses and Truth.
I fully understand what you’re going through, I’m 37 and I feel you ❤ getting married, moving in together and moving away from your family who have been a constant in your whole life is a big deal! You will get through it all, go through the motions your feelings are valid and I promise it does get better. Blessings to you ❤️
Praise God for your perspective. 2 yr married, new mum, can totally relate lovely. God is doing something amazing in this
Me and my fiance are getting married this October and this video was something we're definetly gonna take into consideration. We're very blessed that our church gives us counseling BEFORE our wedding. We can always have it during our marriage as well obviously, but the fact that we get to have counseling before it is a huge blessing for both of us. Counseling begins next month. God bless you and Johnny Ashley!
Mychildren career straggling help pray mama
Praying for you, Ash! Mega loads of love from Nigeria, Africa 🇳🇬🙏
Sister! Thank you for sharing. I know this was encouraging! I'm also going through Habbakuk with BSF. I really need to dig into it though. I've just read it but familiar passages are jumping out at me. Toward the end of 2021 it was such a hard season of sharpening and pruning. But God! He is faithful to keep His children and He will keep you. Just abide in Him❤❤❤
Love to you and your husband.
Thank you so much for posting today. I got married on the same day that you did. Today is so hard. I've been crying all day. I needed this so much. I moved to a new town and all the newlyweds here seem to be so happy and it's so hard. It's really lonely someday. I'm so thankful for your Chanel.
Wow! So AMAZING! We got married on the same day!!! It is really hard sometimes.. I know EXACTLY how you feel. You are not alone! We will get through this with the Lord! :)
I remember when I married my husband and moved to live with him and leaving not only your family but all your familiar surroundings is such a jolt that paired with trying to keep our perfect idea of what marriage is together is a recipe for a hot mess express that was 23 years ago and I’m still here so give your self grace and space allow yourself to express all of your emotions and don’t let the small stuff get you down ❤
You're definitely not alone, same here, going through a valley. But I know God is close to the broken-hearted and we just cry out to our Lord Jesus 🙏 God bless you Ash and your marriage. The righteous live by faith. Sometimes I think we go through hard seasons so we could help others. You are known, seen and loved ❤🙏
Amen! Thank you friend !
Marriage is so tough but AMEN it’s in these moments we have to trust in God❤
I relate to you with the combination of physical and mental health struggles. Thank you so much for not only sharing your story, but constantly pointing your struggles back to God. You've encouraged so many of us and I pray that the Lord keeps you strong in your faith, and encourages you by showing you that your faith is genuine. TH-cam and other social media often makes people's lives look glamorous, so I just appreciate your honesty. Praying God's peace for anyone else who is experiencing this as well.
Praying for you, Ashley. I appreciate your honesty. Habakkuk IS beautiful and my favorite minor prophet book. I hope everyone reads it as you suggest.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I'm feeling the same way. I just can't out off the bed...
Love you and I'm praying for you ❤
Here is my personal struggle: I have times where I read and pray and walk in His peace and joy, then I turn around and it's like I shut down and stop praying, stop reading, and binge watch videos or movies. I want to be more disciplined but I find it very difficult when I'm in those shut down, tune out times. It's easy to say, "just do it", but it isn't that way at all.
I feel like my life is still in survival mode and I'm tired. I need things to change.
You aren't alone. I am proud of you for even admitting that. Praying for you!
@@coffeegirls 💞
You litterally just described my life 🥺
@@anniedrosham7299 💝
@@coffeegirls For Mentor Mama (and girls):
Have you ever heard of SCRUPULOSITY? I am not seeking mental or emotional counsel from you, I know you aren't certified and do not hold you accountable. I'm asking if you know anything about it and what your take is on it.
And maybe Mentor Mama could find a professional to speak on this subject on a podcast (even videos)???
Thank you for listening. God bless and keep you all. ❤
Praying for you Ashley!! This was an encouragement and believers need to come together an encourage each other through everything 💕
Ash, you are so sweet and loved and beautiful inside and out. I’ve struggled in triage areas too and I’m an adult woman.
Like you said it’s not an overnight healing but a journey and process with the Lord.
Certainly, healing will come and is coming. If only it would happen just in an instant lol 😅
I recommend the song “Trust in the Lord from Elevation” and the last two sermons from pastor Steven Furtick at Elevation church called “Ugly Trust” and “Delayed Praise” all about the psalm 34 and the story behind David’s life when he wrote that “I searched the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears” while scaping from 7 from Saul while he was promised to be a King, and how he ended up living in the enemy territory for 16 months.
Send you lot of virtual hearts and hugs and I’ll be praying for you and the blessing coming out of this season.
You’ll see the fruit 🌳 as in Psalm 1, bears fruit jn every season.
Val 💕 from 🇦🇷 😊
Yes the first year of marriage is hard! You can make it and the Lord will help you. I think living with someone and being away from your family is very difficult. I hope you're taking some time to yourself to relax and enjoy some time to yourself. I always keep you in my prayers!
I pray that God give you His strength and grace as you journey through this season Ash! Love the work you do and the truth you speak and more importantly, God loves you❤
Thank you so much friend ❤
Sorry to hear things have been hard Ashley! Im not married, but I have seen friends who are experienced similar. They actually discovered that lots of their emotional / mental problems were hormone induced by introducing contraceptive medications. I don't know if you have been told that or have thought of switching medications if not - it worked for a friend of mine so thought it worth sharing!
That happened to me when I was first married. What's worse was coming off of them. It was THE WORST mental and physical experience I've had (especially with that period, tmi sorry). It took me like a year to recover.
It’s amazing, how God always reminds me of what I’ve forgotten through your videos. It’s also been a very challenging season for me mentally physically and emotionally it’s been a rollercoster and although I’ve trusted in the Lord sometimes my thoughts and own emotions get a hold of God’s truth that has already been spoken over my life. It’s a test of Faith or like you said a spiritual battle. Thank you for sharing, very encouraging.
You are so loved Ash. Praying for you.
Praying for you… Girl 1st 3 years of my marriage were the hardest… So worth it but hard.. Moving away from Home alone is hard. Give yourself Grace what you are going through is normal, So proud that you are recognizing it and getting counseling.
Thanks for sharing Ashley! I have been suffering similarly and will be praying for you sister!
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing. I will be praying for you and Johnny.
Sister you are not alone! I have been been dealing with fear. Just be careful not to
Stress out. God calls us not to worry. Pray and also look at some holistic routes . There maybe an imbalance in hormones. I’m going through a holistic route.
Be strong in the lord.
Ashley, I love your honesty and love for the LORD. One thing you’ve shared before is the difficulty of being away from your family. Have you considered taking 6 months or however God leads to let your body, mind and emotions ease into this change? Maybe month 1 you drive to see you family every weekend. Month 2, you see them the 1st weekend, stay in town the 2nd, and see them the 3rd and 4th weekends. Month #3 and 4 you drive down every other weekend. Month 5 and 6 you drive down every third weekend. You could adjust and have something concrete to look forward to and knowing you would see them. I know it’s not ideal as a pastor’s wife to be gone - but it would be short term and might benefit everyone longer term. Love and prayers💕🙏
This video brought me to tears, it just came up in my recommended … I’ve really been struggling with just feeling very sad and depressed and not understanding really truly why. I’ve been married 8 months and I feel guilty feeling sad because we recently got married, and everything should be going well.. & overall it is and I’m so happy God brought us together, and I love being married but it’s hard and especially when u don’t understand why your feeling the way you are.
I've heard the first year in marriage can be overwhelming and comes woth a lot of changes. I personally know I will for sure struggle with all the change. Thank you for sharing your journey ❤💕
Hi Ashley, thank you for sharing your honesty with us and giving the time to make this video even you are going through a hard season and with a busy schedule always… I’m 47 single and I have stage 4 cancer. last couple months I was in a hospital and was going through the hardest time not just physically but emotionally and mentally. I learned that when you physically fatigue or feel weak you typically have bad thoughts and they effect our emotions and mental health. Anyway please take it easy slow down and be gentle to your yourself. I believe you already know and you need no advice but I pray for you and the lord is with you always. Love you. ❤❤❤
Thank you so much for the encouragement friend! It helps me so much ❤❤❤❤
Ashley we love you. Keep talking about it. Rather it's to your sister, mom, us. Don't keep it inside. It's normal... it's harder than it should be. 😅❤
Thank you for sharing your struggles. It reminds me that we're all battling against some sort of ennemy within or outside. I pray that the Lord gives you insight in what is the root problem for your issues as well as strategies to conquer them. In Yeshua mighty Name I pray, AMEN🙏🔥🌈
I'm sure people have already mentioned this but our mental health is directly connected to our physical health. When I first got married I had a similar experience. As an anxiety prone person I really struggled with the changes of living in another place, with another person etc. Even just sleeping in a bed with another person, I struggled with sleep deprivation because I couldn't sleep with someone else there! When we feel out of control I know my body goes for exhaustion to sort of shut down and relax as a solution which isn't hugely helpful 😅 but please know that a lot of this is normal! Change is hard, and marriage is one of the biggest life changes you can go through. The trials grow your love for one another 💕🙏
You are so right. Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing a bit your story too :)
Praying for you Ashley, I hope and pray you get answers with your health. You are doing amazing friend! Marriage is hard, 12 years married and honestly it doesn't get easier you just realize to lean on God in the most difficult times and in the good times.
Stay in in. God revealed my issues to me over time. Just be patient.
I truly appreciate this channel so much. The honesty and transparency is just so beautiful and the fact that I too can relate to what you're saying and know that I am not alone in my struggles.
Thank you so much, and may God continue to bless your ministry. And I will keep you in my prayers🤍
All love from South Africa🇿🇦❤️❤️
I WAS NEEDING THIS VIDEO. GAVE ME STRENGH TO TRUST THE LORD. THANKS
REJOICE that you are not in control, the trustworthy steadfast gracious and merciful God is, and He works for the good of those who love Him!!
I’m so proud of you for being vulnerable and sharing how you feel. Because we all go through this valley of feeling this. You aren’t alone sister, prayers and love going out to you!
Thank you for being you God bless you Ash 💗 this too shall pass. Prayers going up
Me too I've been struggling alot lately...I feel guilty again and again...i feel like I fall again and again 😢😢
I know you’ve been reading this a million times, but it bears repeating: the first year of marriage is HARD. I got married at 23, and that first year…phew. Satan really loves freshly married couples. You’d think that period would be blissful, but for us and I believe most couples, it’s one of the hardest. I’ll be praying over your and your husband. I’ve been married now for 5 years and praise God we made it past that rough first year!
Thanks for sharing! I take every comment to heart :) So encouraging and good for me to hear!
Thanks Ashley... I'm almost 9 months married now. And I so recognize the "it's hard". We both knew first year might be hard...But in reality how it feels when it's hard, we weren't expecting that. And though we have also been really blessed in things, the moments of over-emotionalness... it's just so heavy. We waited on marriage, which is still an amazing testimony. And I also recognize spiritual warfare. But man have I cried these months. More than past years together over my 'singleness'. Also anxiety and insecureties and things from my childhood, everything is coming up again. We both have to learn and grow. It; s good to know there are other people in the same season and going to the same kind of struggles. Thanks. Going to read habbakuk.
you are beautiful, your heart is beautiful, and I’m praying for you!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻
We all are with you Ash..
We all go through hard seasons, you're not alone. And you know in Exodus 17 when the Amalek and his people came to fight the Israelites, Mosses went high to the top of the mountain and Raised his hand high above to the Almighty God, which signifies for me the act of a full surrender. The Israleites prevailed whenever Mosses hands were held high. And when Mosses lowered his hands Amalek prevailed. So some times we just don't understand what's happening and all we can do is to raise our hands high in full surrender and yeah just like mosses we may even be tired to keep our hands held high but Just like Aaron and Hur held mosses Hands high, God will provide poeple who will be by your sides to help you keep your hands held high. Don't give in, don't give up, In whatever thing we raised our hands high and above to the throne of God, God's fighting for us in our places just like he has fought for the Israelites. We love you and we are with you in our prayers Ash❤
Hi Ashley thanks for sharing personal struggles. I can say that I'm going through some of the same struggles you are...mentally. It's hard but I feel like that's the Lord forming my character and wanting me to mature more as a Christian woman. Like you said. But I do remember that there's seasons for everything and that seasons are temporary. I know you're going to be fine. Rest in the Lord 🙂
Thank you friend!
Thank you for posting this video and being so vulnerable 💕 I’ll be praying for you. I was in this season not to long ago and I’m doing much better now! It gets better just continue to have faith because at times you may be hopeless but Jesus heals. And Ik you said it will take time to fix things and in some instances that may be true but have faith that God can also heal you overnight! Love you ❤️
The first 5 years of marriage are the HARDEST. My husband and I celebrated two years of marriage last month, and we are still struggling. I will say though, that our first year of marriage was SO HARD. This year is better, but life is still hard and stressful. Everyone goes through these seasons, EVERY ONE. I am sort-of in a season (with being a Christian) right now, where I'm doubting everything. It's just a normal human emotion. Marriage is hard, but it is so rewarding and it's so amazing. Praying for you. God Bless.
Hi all good morning Ashley happy Saturday morning and happy weekend and I just wanted to say that you all amazing Supporter and I'm proud of all of you
I have been going through a hard season as well and a very simple text that came from my mom comforted me so much: "God loves you
Sending you so much love and sending up prayers, Ashley. Life can really throw us challenges and difficulties at times, and even though we know this it can still hit us hard. May the Lord fight on both you and Jonny’s behalf as you face this current battle as you hold tight to the truth held in Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn..” And when you grow weary and heavy laden may you lean your head against the Lord, who alone holds you secure, knowing that all does not depend on you. He’s got you and He’s got this situation. 💛💛🙏🙏
Ashley, l learned in the path with God is not my way, it is His way, and His plan is so much better than ours. Learning by trusting our loving Father. I wish l could hug you sweetheart, and tell you it does get so much easier to surrender every situation. He truly heals, he does not want us to carry those burdens, he wants to make us whole and became the daughters He has intended us to be. At 51yrs old l know now how much my father love feels like beyond what l could imagine.
I'm 29 been married for 7 years and 1st year is definitely the hardest as you are basically getting to know each other and learning how each person lives and does stuff it does get easier
❤❤❤❤ thank u for being raw and honest... this is so needed. ♥️ love you ash!
Praying for you, Ash! I love COFFEE AND BIBLE TIME and COFFEE GIRLS vids. They are part of my daily Bible time with the Lord. :) Thank you for being real and raw about where you are in every stage of life. It's such an encouragement to me, as an aspiring future TH-camr and fellow Christian.
❤❤❤❤😘😘😘😘😘😘
Hi Ashley. I love the new shirt it’s adorable. 😊I’m sorry you are struggling. You are definitely not alone. Life is hard. Especially when you are trying to walk with the Lord bc Satan, he hates that. He’s throwing every arrow he can to take us down. But praise God bc we have victory in him. No matter how bad our situation is or how far away we feel from God, when we feel hopeless and exhausted he is near. Walking along side us. Picking us up and guiding us along the way. He will never fail us. He is so faithful. I’m a stay at home homeschool mama and Satan is trying to rip my marriage apart. So I have all of these areas in my life too that I’m struggling with. Raising my babies in the Godless generation is tough. I just have to keep remembering that this is not our home, but while we are here we have to keep fighting the good fight of faith. He will sustain us and get us through every moment if we continue to abide in his word and stay close with him. I pray that you feel his goodness today and that you have peace in your home and joy in your life. And I pray blessings over your marriage. You are so so beautiful” Ashely. Don’t give up ♥️ love you sister!!!!
Keep making art. That will help you express what you can't say with words. A lot of our health issues stem from the things we keep to ourselves in the depths of our hearts. Love you
wow. you are so right. Thank you.
Ashley my sister, Marriage is hard specially the first year! God bless you. I will be praying for you! 🙏💕
You will get through this season. It is going to hurt. Growth hurts. Change hurts. You will be stronger, more able to minister to other women, more effective in prayers and actions.
Both you and Johnny might need to spend quality time with each other and without outside influence for a short time. Choose each other daily. Choose to do the hard stuff anyways. Kinda like eating kale. You choose to eat it because it's good for you. Cake feels better but it's not beneficial. Choose the kale of marriage. Go on dates, pray together every day before anyone leaves, pray together every night before you go to bed, do the dishes together, walk with each other when you take the trash out, get the mail together, get groceries together, shop for new underwear together (lol), go to the post office together, visit family together, what God has joined together let no man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6). Do errands together. Brush your teeth together. Spend so much time together and learn each other inside and out. Intimacy doesn't always have to be sexual. Love languages can change over time too. Do what's best for you guys. Communicate how things make you feel and what you can do to fix or change behaviors or perceptions. Marriage is hard work and well worth it, just like anything else in life. Go on a date even if you don't feel like it. Go to the park, play frisbee, go get an iced tea somewhere and sit in the car and talk, talk for hours, stare at each other, spend quality time. =)
2 Corinthians 4:8-12
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
I'm 56 and single but going through the same stuff emotionally and mentally - physically exhausted, depressed. mainly issues at work. but ps 139 has been a reminder fo rme, the part about God knowing where I am and especially the part aobut how dark is not dark but light to God - He can see in that darkness when we can't and we're not alone in it. may not like it in the dark but we're not alone and we DO come back up. hard to remember that when it's dark but we do come back up
i know how you feel but it's awsome to see you still trusting in God even in hard times he never leaves us he is soo good his love is beyond measure he knew our us before we were even born every time we feel sad hurt broken he still rememebers us he is such a good father i'll be praying for you GOD bless you
accept i'm not married
Dear Ashley, always lovely! You know, sometimes, our hearts have personal idols such as roots that we build around ouselves. This can be a place, an environment, a person, a community, etc. When these are budged, or even removed, we find it sooooooo difficult. I have been there with my home town. Had to move, chose too, anyways.....and wow, for a looooooooooooooong time I struggled with sad, hard feelings. Days were hard. Through months and even years. Then a person told me to let go of my idol (my hometown) and that my 'all' should be with God, not where I am living. That hit me. I am still missing so much my "place" but, now I understand. My home, environment, is with God, anywhere I am. Not easy, won´t be, but now I understand. You are an amazing woman. Thank you for your video!!
I am so sorry you’re going through such a hard time! I will be praying for you. Even in your hard time you are a light to so many people and to me. I am having a hard time. Finically and mentally. I’ve been through so much in the past almost 9 months and I don’t know how much longer I can take of it. I will trust God! He has always got me through everything in my life. Why am I doubting that He can get me through this too? I will be reading Habakuk and James. I think I really need it! Thank you for all you do! ❤
Good to see you Ashley! You look so pretty and your hair looks amazing. I know exactly how you feel. It has been something health wise since October. I have felt spiritually, physically and mentally attacked. I did find out that I’m vitamin B1 deficient. I’m starting to feel better. It could be a vitamin deficiency or it could be hormones are off balance. I will pray for you, love you Ash, hope you get to feeling better. ❤️🙏
Ashley, thank you for sharing and being honest. It's very important to open up. Will be praying for you
Thank you for sharing this! This was a great encouragement to me! Blessings to you!🕊🙏❤️
As another of your viewers who mentioned a vitamin deficiency, Drs don't pull those in regular panels unless requested. Though I have anxiety disorder, I specifically asked for iron and vitamin d panels, and my doctor warned me that perhaps insurance wouldn't cover it, so she tried to ask specific questions that would help get them covered. They were both deficient, and I suspect even more even though I have a degree in nutrition and eat a balanced diet. As I have been supplimenting, my energy levels and mood has been improving. I also learned of a very specific allergy that was bothering me for three years which caused multiple symptoms. I pray God reveals your path to healing.