Changing The Changes

Say to him, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart.” Isaiah 7:4, NIV

Hormones do impact our lives. Menstruation, PMS, and pregnancy can throw us for a loop. Then we can anticipate another hormonal shift—menopause!

Sally Conway, in her book Menopause, encourages women that they are not alone if they feel unstable, out of kilter, or not themselves. She penned the following note about her feelings in a journal: “Lack of concentration/short attention span. Thoughts come and go; jump in and out. Seem urgent at the time; then quickly forget. Remember again. And seem urgent once more. . . . Paranoia—uncertain and then certain about particular fears and suspicions. Then uncertain again.”^a

I knew Sally during her menopausal years, and even though she may have been feeling uncertain, emotionally unstable, and fearful, she didn’t give in to the fears. If you are feeling you are losing your mind (or your memory), or perhaps your mother or sister is struggling with “the change,” what helps change the changes for the better?

Get good information: The verse that says, “The truth will set you free” reaches into menopause! Read up on the best medical research, attend seminars, and talk to doctors and specialists in the whole health field (nutrition, psychology, etc.).

Get God in the middle of it: Anytime you are feeling anxious, mindless, fearful, or any other myriads of emotions, ask God to help you.

Get friends and family informed: Don’t let biological changes make permanent changes in your relationships. Let them know what’s going on and how they can help.