“I feel weird.” – Original quote by Me

Do you ever just not feel yourself? There isn’t any big disappointment or life altering moment, but something is just…. wrong.

The feeling starts small— you begin avoiding a project you love, cancelling a dinner date or ignoring the pile of laundry.

I CAN’T be the only one. (Some of you are reading this like “Uh. Ignoring laundry is not weird. Welcome to the club.” And that, my friends, deserves high fives all around!)

I usually appreciate the little things and I consider myself a person that isn’t easily shaken— so a book, a handwritten note or some quality time can easily lift my spirit and pull me out of a rut. But lately, this “weird” feeling has lasted for weeks at a time and I’ve found myself too anxious to open up the Bible and prayer hasn’t been my first resort.

And after some time, the small pile of laundry is now a larger pile of responsibilities and what once brought me serenity now brings me fear, my hope is dwindling and my joy feels circumstantial. Not good and not me!

Phew. I feel lighter already.

Last week I sat down with a friend and had a moment to express freely all of my peaks and pits in this season that I am in. It was interesting to hear myself communicate them out loud to another living, breathing person because suddenly my pits didn’t seem so heavy. Yes, my disappointments and fears are still very real— but now, they don’t seem so indomitable. And from that dinner date, I learned a few valuable lessons that made me feel a little bit more like “me” this week. I wanted to share them with you in case you aren’t “feeling like you” these days!

• Take your vitamins, eat some extra leafy greens (Hear. Me. Out.), drink lots of water, use essential oils (don’t roll your eyes, I know a girl who can hook you up! ) and take a walk outside. Your physical health plays a big role in your mental health and little changes will make you feel better from the inside out.

• Tell someone. This is an area I struggle with, but I’m determined to learn and grow in order for my spirit to thrive. And it is. Once I communicated some of my feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, I felt like I had a teammate, better yet, a prayer partner. But he would have never known I needed that if I hadn’t told him! Too many times, we’re trained to tell everyone that we’re “good” when we’re nowhere near it…. and as a result, there is no growth, there is no connection and there is no healing when we aren’t honest with those around us.

Ohhhh, but HOLD UP and wait a minute… this is not a pass to be a Debbie Downer. No way, Jose. For every “negative” feeling you express, speak doubly of your blessings. Because despite our feelings, we are beyond blessed and God deserves our praise continually.

• In the end, you must come to the realization that’s it’s actually not about how you feel. It is about who you ARE. And our identity in Christ is what should dictate your emotions. When you are feeling inadequate, forgotten, fearful, sad…. you have a Creator that says you are wonderfully made, that you have PURPOSE and repeatedly tells you that He will never leave. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but once you make it a habit of daily reading and reflecting on the promises of God… His Truth of redemption, love, strength, grace and power will be your soul’s favorite melody. It will be the first thing you run to when you’re not feeling quite like yourself.

I’ll end this Thursday Truth Sesh with a few verses that have encouraged me this month. If you’re feeling “weird”, these might help get your confidence juju back so you can finish that pile of laundry.

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I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Psalm 40-1-3

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:3

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?Matthew 6:26

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8