Fireside Chat Ministries

I was sad today. As someone who struggled with clinical depression for years, I know all too well that you don’t even have to encounter any specific trigger to slump into a soggy mood that you just can’t seem to shake. 

There are SO many facets of human beings that it would take a lifetime just to explain the body/soul/spirit connection. But I do know we are spirit beings. We have a soul, which is our mind, will, and emotions. And we live in a body. 

In a fallen world. 

When you put that all together into one living miracle (YOU), well, there’s a lot that can go wrong. But sometimes, nothing is wrong. Sometimes, you’re just….sad.

Today was just that day. 

Yes, I have life stressors like anyone else. Life is busy. There are work deadlines and church meetings and library projects, peppered with family dinners, doctor’s appointments, traffic jams, and soccer practice. For a feeler like myself (the world might call me an empath), that can be a LOT of swirl, just in one day. Add up several of those in a row, and…well, it’s just not pretty.

I’ve learned (the hard way) that my body needs rest.

This might not come as a surprise to you, but I was a bit appalled when I came to the realization that I was not, in fact, bionic. It turns out that I’m actually human. I have bad days, and I need rest. 

But you know what? Anything we feel and perceive is okay. It’s just what we do with those feelings that ultimately determines our destiny. 

Yes, it’s true.

If I’m sad, I have a few choices. I could certainly wallow in my sadness (and given the kind of week I’ve had, you might understand the temptation). Or I can incorporate any of the amazing coping skills I’ve built into my tool belt for the past couple of decades and start to pull myself out of the slump. And I’ll happily share some of those tools as we get to know each other better.

But let’s start with this: Whatever you are feeling, it’s okay. Jesus is not afraid of our humanity. In fact, He’s drawn to it. Even when our spirits are strong, our flesh is weak (Matt. 26:14). And He knew that would be the case even before He created us. Thankfully for us, that is where He picks up our lack. One of my favorite verses is 2 Cor. 12:10 when the apostle Paul shares the joy of persecution, distress and infirmity – because “when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

What He really wants from us is – not to not feel – but to trust Him. We can trust that He’ll show up for us on time, every time. Wouldn’t you rather be honest with Him than hide or stuff your emotions?

Maybe an honest prayer would look like:

“Lord, I thank you for making my emotions. They are a gift, and part of me. 

Today, I feel ___ because _____. It’s not pleasant, but I am bringing you this ____(hurt, pain, sadness, problem, etc.) as an act of worship. Help me restore the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12-17) and give me strength to weather this storm. Amen.”

Once my soul got into communication with the Lord, the sadness just…melted away. It’s impossible to be in God’s presence and not feel love, peace and joy.

Give it a try the next time you’re feeling a certain unpleasant emotion. Bring it to the Lord, and He’ll meet you there every. single. time. 

Crawl up into His lap and be comforted. He gives a kind of comfort nothing in the world can compare with.

Love in Christ,

Mandie

xoxoxo