WHEN NOTHING IS GOING RIGHT

There are some who suggest that when things aren't going right--go left.  I can't suggest that.
But I can make the following suggestions that may help.

1.   TELL THE LORD WHAT'S HAPPENING

You say, "He already knows."  And yes, He does know.  But He is the one that invited us to come to Him when we are stressed and burdened!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."  Matthew 11:28,29.

We sing "I must tell Jesus all of my troubles... Jesus can help me, Jesus alone!"  

And He can!

We remember our Lord's promise, "Your Heavenly Father knows you have need." (Matthew 6:32)...and " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you!"  (Matthew 7:7)  You know reading through the Sermon on the Mount would be a great idea!

2. TAKE SOME TIME TO READ, REALLY READ, GOD'S WORD--THE HOLY BIBLE

You have heard me tell the story of the man who was so clinically depressed that even though he was taking antidepressants he just holed up in his apartment with the windows closed, shades pulled, and the doors shut tightly.  He did not eat right.  He would not visit with others.  His family wondered how long he would survive.

It was then that a Gospel believing Messianic Jew approached the man and urged him to begin reading his Bible everyday--hours at a time.  He wasn't doing anything else--no job, no hobby, no family, and no recreation or exercise. 

Amazingly the man took the word of the witness.  A few weeks later when the witness returned to check on him, he was amazed to see that the shades were partially open. 

A few weeks later he returned again to see that not only were the windows wide open but the apartment had been cleaned.  A few weeks later the man who was a prisoner in his own apartment was smiling and out looking for a job. 

The only thing that the the man had done differently was to open the Word of God and read it faithfully and extensively.    There is power in the Word of God!

Try the Psalms 1, 23, 24, 91, 90, 150.  Read Matthew 5-7.  Read 1 Corinthians 13.  Hebrews 11.  The Gospel of John.  The Book of Philippians.  

3. NOW MAKE A QUICK LIST OF WHAT IS TROUBLING YOU AND IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, DO THE EASIEST ONE FIRST.

Dave Ramsey, the Christian financial counselor, surprised me when he was advising a man who was wrestling with several credit card debts.  Ramsey suggested he pay off the smallest ones first.  The feeling of success that he felt by making progress snowballed into complete success.  

Sometimes organizing a space, freeing it of clutter, can help us think more clearly and optimistically.

4. SMILE--EVEN IF IT IS A FAKE SMILE--SMILE!

Look at yourself in the mirror.  You may want to be sure others are not around.  But then smile and hold that smile!   Research shows that when we smile there are endomorphins (hormones) that are released from our brains that help us feel better.  Are you smiling yet?

5. LINK UP WITH A SPIRITUALLY MINDED FRIEND

Call your Pastor or reach out to a good spiritual friend.  You need someone who will help you, not take advantage of you.  So reach out to a godly and Christian confidant.   We really do need one another.  

6. EXERCISE--TAKE A WALK!  

Motion is one of the best ways to stir e-motion.  Take a walk.  Ride a bike.  Do some exercises. Fifteen minutes can make a world of difference in your outlook.  And if you get the exercise completed, reward yourself with a healthy snack. 

7. PURPOSEFULLY SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM DISCOURAGING MEDIA OR INTERNET SITES.  

Computer programmers used to talk about the GIGO principle, "Garbage In--Garbage Out"  It's really true.  

Feed your mind with garbage, bad and sad news, it can really seem overwhelming.  But when you listen to uplifting testimonies, great Christian music, and fill your mind with beautiful scenery or art, it will lift your spirit.

8. DO SOMETHING WHIMSICAL AND FUN

Bake some macarons (and share them with the Pastor).  Paint a landscape.  Wash your car.  Better yet, wash my car!

9. FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLING OF YOURSELF TOGETHER 

Paul urged the Christians in his day to be sure to meet up regularly, especially, he said, "as you see the day approaching."  He was talking about that day when the Lord would return.  It is when the world is messiest, and when we are emotionally distressed, that we most need to be in the house of God--singing, praying, worshiping, giving, hearing God's Word and responding to it!

10. ?

Seems like there should be a number 10!  After all there were 10 Commandments.  Maybe you could add your own number 10.  And why not share it with others?  We would love to see what you have found helpful.

Whenever I think I'm having a rough day, I often remember the testimony of Betsy Ten Boom. Her entire family was arrested for helping Jews escape the Nazis in Holland.  She and her sister Corrie were sent to a concentration camp that was unspeakable.  Within months Betsy succumbed to the inhumane conditions, but during her darkest hours, she testified to her sister, "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is deeper still."  Isn't that beautiful?  Yes you are loved.  Yes you are cherished.  Yes God so loved you He sent His one and only begotten Son to redeem at Calvary.  And Yes, that same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in the children of God, so that we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us."   (Read Romans 8, that's a great encouragement too!).