Discombobulated!

Such a funny word but one that I have used twice this week to describe ‘how I am’ when asked by good friends.

You know those kinds of seasons; a few sickness bugs here and there, missed work days, half-term, out of routine, car been in the garage for 4 weeks, broken dishwasher, broken shower, broken car lock, house lock not working properly…the list goes on…(not to mention the increase in mortgage payments, eeeek!)

I wonder if you have been feeling a bit like that lately? Perhaps for more serious reasons than mine? Or maybe just a bit out of sorts and you can’t put your finger on it?

When I’m not feeling quite right, discombobulated and a bit ‘lost’ I have a few Bible Passages that really help me. I thought I would share these so perhaps they can help you too:

‘Test everything. Hold onto the good’. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

We all live by a system of beliefs that we have built up over our lives through experience, what we are told, or what we learn about. It may be that you swallowed your beliefs in one big chunk when you were younger, but more likely you have consumed them bit by bit over the years.

It is helpful to challenge what you believe and ask where it has come from. It may be that choosing to believe something that isn’t true is affecting how you think, feel and how you act. Always hold your beliefs up against what God says in the Bible and how he guides you through his Holy Spirit.

I sometimes believe things ‘in the moment’, whether that’s a moment of conflict, grief, or panic that I know aren’t true. Yet I still choose to hold onto the false belief and that then affects my thoughts, feelings, and actions.

You can choose your thoughts. Make sure that the thoughts you choose in all circumstances are the truth.

‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ Philippians 4:8

God asks us to think of the above things in any circumstance. Look for God and the good in every situation. What are you learning, what opportunities do you have, and what is God doing? How is he building your character?

Turn your thoughts and beliefs to such things. Making a note of these can really help to turn you around and focus on God. Perhaps it’s time to start a ‘gratitude journal’ where you only list what you are thankful for.

Never forget in the dark what God has shown you in the light.

Ok this isn’t a Bible Passage, but God talks many times in the Bible about being the light:

‘You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.’

2 Samuel 22:29

When we feel more robust and are in brighter seasons of our lives it can be a real opportunity to set up good habits that become our default, even when times are tougher.

When life gets tricky, I find it easy to continue to eat well and exercise because this has become such a habitual default. This of course then helps with your mood and gives you the energy to deal with more challenging circumstances. What would knock you off your feet if you didn’t have good habits and routines can just cause a small ripple if your defaults are strong.

Do you still remember Bible Verses or songs you learned as a child? Have you ever called on these as an adult? How can we chew on and declare the word of God in our difficult circumstances if we don’t know it?  So perhaps in the ‘lighter times’ you can meditate on Bible Verses that you know will help you in ‘darker’ times.

In harder times it can be hard to open the Bible, do a study or even pray. God knows and God will speak to you through what you already know and have learnt.

I hope that some of these thoughts have been helpful to you.

If you aren’t feeling ‘ok’ at the moment please do reach out to a friend, your church or your doctor.

We have various events happening over the next month or so online, do have a look and see. I especially want to mention our Evening with Fitfish and Tania Harris next week on the evening of Friday 4^th November. Dr Rev Tania runs an international ministry called God Conversations and will be speaking to us about Hearing God’s Voice. How fantastic is it that we can do that!!