Wanna know what’s funny? I have been struggling this past week against my emotions. It’s probable that the lack of sleep and the fast paced schedule of a week of serving at VBS have had something to do with it. But because of all that I’m trying to get sorted out in my head, I decided to re-post a blog from last year. The blog I picked actually spoke to my present situation perfectly! I figure maybe someone else needs a bit of encouragement this morning too. Here it is…
originally posted June 6, 2013
Each morning lately I open my eyes around 5:30 without fail. Now, I would love to sleep longer – mainly because I LOVE TO SLEEP. In fact, I will usually force my eyes closed once again and try to go back to my dreams. The problem is my mind begins to race.
I find myself reviewing the tasks of the day, mulling over issues I’m dealing with, making mental notes of grocery items and projects. It’s just no use. I usually concede and get out of bed.
I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s age or hormones or my diet – but I often wake feeling a cloud of confusion shrouding my thoughts. I feel anxious. It’s like my feelings seem to get tangled up at night and I wake with a big knot of concern.
I usually don’t feel this way for long. Once I’m settled into my place on the couch for my quiet time with coffee in hand, I have shaken off the fuzziness of sleep over my mind and I’m able to think and see clearly. But nevertheless, it’s become part of my daily routine to wake in a funk that seems like it will last all day.
I’ve been learning a lesson in all of this. It doesn’t matter how I feel. My feelings don’t have to dictate my day. I’ve begun to counteract this wave of emotion upon waking with prayer.
Often, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and whisper to God, “Lord, my feelings are all over the place but my heart is to serve you.”
Recently, I read a verse that brings a smile to my heart because it has been a reminder for me of God’s constant presence in my life and His awareness of my recent struggle with my waking feelings… Psalm 143:8 says,
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
The truth is, no matter how I feel, no matter what is going on in my life, I can count on God’s unfailing love! Not only that, this verse reminds me that I can TRUST Him! He will show me the path through each day as I surrender myself to Him…the whole mess.
This lesson reminds me of a time not long ago when I went shopping with Abby. She picked out a beautiful, delicate necklace.
I told her that she would need to take good care of it since it would easily tangle if she wasn’t careful. Recently, she came to me with it balled up in knots and asked me if I could fix it for her. I got to thinking about how I go to God with the same request…can you help me get untangled? Thankfully, in His unfailing love, He frees me up to live without feelings of despair.
That’s the remedy, you know. If you wake feeling anxious or experience moments of overwhelming emotion, you don’t have to stay there. They don’t have to dictate your day. Just go to God. His well of provision is deep and bountiful.
Are you feeling tangled up? Do you struggle against your feelings or your circumstances? Surrender it to Him. ALL OF IT. And watch Him work in His unfailing love.
