Feeling Low...

Have you ever felt really low?

So low that it’s hard to shake off, feeling consumed by your emotion…A feeling that is both with you and also separate from you…intimately close, yet also beyond you.

An invisible feeling that is so real it affects you physically?

A feeling so aggressive it can take over, and even affect your relationships…

I’m sure that you can relate…as I don’t think any of us are immune from this feeling.  In our broken world we are vulnerable to many, many things, which can lead to this type of feeling. 

As a Christian I have been re-born through Christ, but I have not been re-born into a perfect world, or without feelings, or in a protective bubble.  I am still in our yet-to-be-restored-world, just no longer a citizen of it…therefore how I react these days to this type of feeling is, and must be different…

There was a time in my life when my reaction would have been to seek consolation from sources that weren’t healthy…what do I mean by this?  Well for example, from the arms of a lover, alcohol, spending money…I’m sure you know now what I mean!

Now I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy intimacy with your husband or wife when you feel low, or that you can’t enjoy a glass of wine, or even enjoy a holiday to help you recover.  But really at the end of the day, it comes down to where our heart is…and who or what we’re putting first.

I know that when I’ve felt really low, my first reaction is to do something that will ease my pain…now when I think about this rationally it makes sense that we want to do this ~ because the feeling is real and we want relief from it…especially when we don’t know how things will improve…

I believe it's important to acknowledge that the desire for no pain and healing is real and NORMAL!  As someone who has experienced brokenness, I believe it's important to acknowledge the REALNESS of pain and depression, and to not offer Band-Aid solutions!
 

We may feel like screaming out loud in frustration, but perhaps it’s our upbringing that taught us to be quiet and reserved that inhibits this, so we internalise the pain?  Sometimes we just try to ignore our emotions, and carry on as if nothing is wrong.  We may just choose to party...drinking and spending our troubles away...or to just not get out of bed!  The problem with this, is that we’re feeding ourselves with things that won’t solve our problem or satisfy us.  When we think rationally, we know that these temporary things are poor substitutes for really dealing with the problem.  And the reality is that we’re putting ourselves and our flesh before our maker, who really does want to heal us!

By putting ourselves first and feeding our desires garbage, we’re actually separating ourselves from God and true healing...

I know what it's like to ignore or suppress pain, or even to console yourself with unhealthy, selfish distractions!  Please don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying that we can't push through...but what I am suggesting is that we need to do it the right way... 

If only we did scream out loud in pain to the one who has the power to bless and heal us…  No-one understands your pain or problem like God does.  No-one has the ability to see into the future and know His plans for you.  Don’t put your pain and yourself before God, give it to Him in prayer.  When you don’t know how He could possibly turn things around for your good – feed on His word and promises which are true and unshakable. 

Take your time, be patient in your journey!  Make your relationship with Jesus your number one priority!  Seek counsel from Godly people, pray, read your Bible, keep your doctors' appointments, eat healthy,  exercise, sleep well!  Most importantly...Never underestimate God!!!

 

Melanie!