Built Better Mentally

By Keisha Griggs

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

-Philippians 4:13

Have you ever worried about things that were out of your control? Have you ever suffered from anxiety and depression? Have you ever felt alone with no one to talk to? Through all my struggles and failures in life, I thank God daily for always showing me favor throughout my life. When life gets you down and you feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, God will always provide if you have FAITH. Let me tell you about God's favor in my life. When you are trying to get over a painful experience, it is much like crossing monkey bars. You must let go at some point and move into the season God destined for you! God saw FAVOR over my life and brought me out of the darkness. My days and nights are different now. What I had to learn in life is “what’s for me is for me ! The path God made for me is mine!”

When you’ve been through the storm and didn’t have a clue, let me give you some things to imagine that God brought me out of:

1. Imagine moving away and a person you look up to call DCS because you wouldn’t have your child disrespect you or anyone because the person and her husband said they were disrespectful.

2. Imagine calling your mom, and she texts and say, “don’t call me; text me what you want.”

3. Imagine being on probation for whooping your child, who clearly was being disrespectful.

4. Imagine your mom telling your daughters that you don’t love them but allows her father-in-law to inappropriately touch her granddaughter and cause trauma that the mother (me) that doesn’t love her had to help heal her!

When life happens, and you must pick up the pieces and move forward, the mind tends to act quickly. Fast forward to losing my job and being on 4 years of probation because of the false accusations. I wanted to give up and decided that life was over. I did not have an income for 2 years, so I decided to go the fast route. I found myself behind on bills and became homeless. I had to think of a plan because I knew I couldn’t be homeless with my girls. I thought that selling drugs would get me through. I loved my people (addicts) and encouraged and fed them even though this wasn’t right, but I kept praying. God knew it wasn’t right, but I would tell them that God loved them and always encouraged them to get better. These people (addicts) would tell me that I was one of the nicest drug dealers ever. I would just keep praying and asking God for favor. I thank God for favor. I decided to let go and remember my reason why. God delivered me from that season and wanted me to help young girls. I had to start with my daughter. We both needed healing from past trauma. As we are healing, God showed me that through him, anything is possible. I had to believe and trust in Him. People who I knew would always tell me that if they were in my shoes, they would have folded a long time ago. My response will always be, BUT GOD! I am stronger because of who I am. I also felt the saying, “when it comes fast, it leaves way faster.” Be humble and wait!

God allowed me to get a great job that I never qualified for, and I have recently been promoted. God allowed me to come off probation and CLEARED my records. God has provided me with a roof over my head, and homelessness is behind me. But GOD! God gave me a second chance. He took what the enemy made bad and turned it into something positive. Depression and anxiety tried to take me out, but God stepped in and said I am a HEALER! Never let anyone tell you that it isn’t possible! I thought I would never be where I am today. I can live unapologetically! I am here to tell my story and how I made it through. I was just like you, with nowhere to go, no one to turn to, and no encouragement from anyone. If I can make it through all these seasons, trust and believe you can make it through all your seasons. You must trust and believe that God is for you and not against you. I used to say that I wouldn’t go to therapy. Guess what? I have a therapist I love, and we cry, laugh, journal, and struggle together. I love having God in my life; it has built a better me. I still have struggles, but if God allows me to wake up, pray, meditate, and think positively, I will conquer all things through Christ, who strengthens me! I was delivered from selling drugs, fighting the evil system, anxiety, worry, and depression. I was renewed! God gave me the strength to move forward. I am now able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Lastly, a few things I conquered on my healing journey is that God will never leave your side. You must live the life He promised you. In

2022 I am at a place in my life called PEACE. Prayer and peace are a priority. I have to avoid certain people, places, conversations, and phone calls to protect my mental and emotional state. If it shows up negative, it will be returned to the sender. I have accepted the assignments that God has given me this season. I can’t accept anything that takes me away from the love of God. It will not take me from where I’m supposed to be or where I’m going. No matter what you go through in life, you can come out of it. You have to go through the bad to appreciate whatever good you’re going to get; if you never go through the struggle, how can you accept God's blessing for you? If you don’t accept the blessing, you are going to be spoiled. I refuse to be spoiled; I want to know what the bad feels like so that I can harness and hold on to it so much more when my good comes around. I’ve learned that it may not come around for a little while. This is my epic chapter of much prayer and much power. I will follow the path God has assigned to my life; I will not be defeated. I will be healed because sometimes the healed need healing also. The devil thought he had me, but God came from above and grabbed me. I shall follow my assignment. I will conquer all struggles and stay on the path to righteousness. If God brought me through, He will bring you through it. Stay on your assignment and believe the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 I am her; she will always be me.

The day I thought I was tired and it should all end was the day God said, “Keisha, this isn’t the end; I shall carry you through. So, if you feel like I’m bragging, I’m not. I just see the light, and I’m still here to proudly tell my story! I had to learn that through this whole process, I was never alone. God provided everything I needed to move forward. From 2015 to 2018, I was looking down, but when I finally looked up and knew God favored me. I am a living testimony, and I had to learn to unapologetically tell my story! He saw the best in me, and if I surrendered, my troubles would be over. This journey isn’t and wasn’t easy, but with a changed mindset and the ability to let God lead me, I know that I am built better mentally. I shall live and not die. I will prosper and receive favor in abundance. Give God the glory and the praise because of who you are. Remain humble and trust and believe in what you prayed for. If you ever have doubts, trust and keep believing that God will see you through. It’s like building a house; it can’t be done in a day. Let God in and have FAVOR over your life. The first step is to believe. God said, “if you make one step, He’ll make two.” Be blessed and stay ready so you’ll never have to get ready. God loves you, and so do I! God wants what’s in you, not what’s on you! Whatever you are going through, give it to God, who will provide for your every need. Stay blessed, and keep praying. God will come when you least expect him. Watch God move big mountains in your life. No matter how hard the test may be, always remember why you started. Wake, Pray, and Journal your way through. He is a provider!

Keisha Griggs works remotely at Gap, Inc. She is a jack of all trades. She has 4 beautiful girls she loves and cherishes with all her heart and soul. Keisha is currently an author, mobile public notary, and the owner of KAS Creations. She is the author of Journey to SelfLove Workbook, Sis, Why Ain’t You Up? Praying My Way Through, and co-author of I’m crying out Father… Where are You? (Built Better, Mentally!

Keisha’s 2 years of experience writing journals, workbooks, and creativity shines through her newest collection of books on healing and praying my way through. She also has a diploma in Medical Office Administration, and she is a certified braider.

Keisha lives and works out of her home in Nashville, TN, spends her time with her daughters, and loves to travel when possible. Her books are available on Amazon and always ready to ship. Always remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel…… Prayer, Peace, Love, and Faith!!