Spirituality: Finding Purpose in Life

3/3/2026

I have recently experienced a setback during one of the toughest weeks of my life. I started a new job as a Mental Health Technician only to have my PNES episodes return after a month and a half of being without them on the first day of orientation. I didn’t feel nervous or anxious. Just excited. I believe it may have possibly been triggered by my positive emotions rather than my negative ones. I have had that happen before. Sometimes I have to step away and control my positive emotions because I feel so intensely that it sets them off.

Anyway, the next day I went back, fully intending to make up for the mishap, only to have another episode. I had gained so much control over these episodes lately that I thought I would be able to handle the new job. I was wrong, I guess. After they sent me home telling me I would need a doctor’s note stating I could come back without restrictions, I found out that my grandfather who had not been doing well in his old age, was given 24 hours to live. The next morning we got the call that he had passed.

So what do you do when faced with a week like mine? It was hectic. Chaotic. Horrible. Depressing. Discouraging. I felt defeated. Like my whole world had just turned upside down in a matter of three short days. But I realized one thing… I was still here. I had made it through, even if times got hard. Why? How? I leaned on my faith. I had trust in my God. That he has a purpose for me and is testing me. Throwing trials my way because he knows how strong I can be. See, I never saw myself as strong in the past. I thought I was weak for having these PNES episodes. Why couldn’t my body react to stress the same way everyone else’s did? Why did I break down under pressure like that? The only answer I saw was that I was weaker than everyone else.

However, I realized something with a little help from my therapist. To be able to stand here today, despite all I go through on a daily basis, makes me strong, not weak. I believe that God has instilled in me the strength to get through the trials I face everyday. And I believe he truly has a purpose for me. That each and every trial is getting me closer to that purpose here on Earth.

My point? I have a strong sense of spirituality/religion. I am Christian, but that doesn’t mean I’m saying you have to be. If you are? Great! If you have some other religion/spirituality? Great! It is a great aid in moments of mental health crisis. To have a sense of purpose. A reason for being. Even a reason life is so hard, like I have. Spirituality is a significant part of mental health. That purpose keeps you going everyday despite what life throws your way. So think about it if you haven’t. Think about why you think we exist. Is there some higher power out there or not? Is life just a series of unfortunate events? Or maybe, is it a series of tests and trials as I believe it to be? Figure out what you believe in. Find your purpose and follow it. That’s what will keep you strong on those tough setback weeks.