What To Do With Feelings
I am being very vulnerable in this post, hoping that it may help you or others who feel weighed down and held captive by emotions call out to God with all that you are, hope, and need. For a quick background about me, I have been diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety since I was 16. My struggles with mental health have affected my life in so many ways, some bad, like not being able to finish college, and some good, like learning to rely on others for prayer, help, and encouragement.
It also seems like the older I get, the more stress, trials, and suffering I have on top of the regular life stressors of family dynamics, health, work, and finances. Yet, despite everything, people are always shocked when they hear my testimony and what is going on when I get a chance to talk with them. They say I always seem so happy, which is true in some ways. In spite of unhappy circumstances, I have joy that makes no sense to others on the outside looking in. God gives us a joy that is not dependent on circumstances but is, instead, a product of his salvation and grace.
Proverbs 15:13-14 says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge.” (NIV)
Despite my physical and mental health struggles, I have learned to seek his knowledge and rejoice in the joy he has given, made possible through faith. He has instilled in me a desire for him, as he renews me when my spirit feels crushed.
But having joy does not mean I never feel tired, confused, anxious, downhearted, frustrated, discouraged, or sad. Just this week alone, I have felt all of these things. To put it in a better perspective, in my prayer journal, I thanked God for helping me get out of bed today. I continued to praise him with every dish I washed and every load of laundry I got done. When I am depressed or anxious, all these daily things seem overwhelming, to say the least.
Some people may think all this is TMI and a bit awkward, while others may read this and feel seen and understood. The purpose of this article is to give encouragement in Christ, helping those who understand the profound heaviness of feelings run to scripture for strength, and offering insights for those who may know or love someone who struggles with mental health.
As I walked around the house, deep in the fog of the all-to-familiar feelings and thoughts of depression and anxiety, God reminded me of a few Bible passages that are the truth I need in my life, verses I needed to cling to as every emotion tried to take hold in my heart.
I wrote that these verses I am about to mention are truth, and because of this, it is crucial to distinguish the Bible as the truth and not just a truth. When I say a truth, I mean something that is uncertain, temporary, or seen through the eyes of ever-changing circumstances. This week, my false reality, the enemy's lie, was that I was too sad and overwhelmed to do anything, but that is not the truth!
The truth, the absolute, unchanging truth, is found in God’s Word, which is more powerful and dependable than anything we will ever see, think, feel, or encounter. It will shake us to our core and give us the desire to know and rely on him more, which is precisely what happened to me this week. These verses brought light into the darkness that was my emotions and the lies of the enemy I was believing.
Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (NIV)
Although I have read and heard this verse numerous times, seeing these words today reminded me to trust God with my whole heart, in all its hurts and in what I view as ugliness, but to God is beautiful. Even when our hearts are messy and hurting, we can trust him. We can completely rely on him and his wisdom, secure in the knowledge that he is a good God and loves every part of us, especially the parts that we may want to hide from others. There is nothing we can say or do that God can’t handle, nothing that will stop him from loving us.
Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in a time of distress.” (NIV)
The Israelites, whom this passage addresses, were frequently distressed and had to often be reminded that only God could deliver and protect them from their enemies. When I saw this verse, I held in my heart the truth that, just as God was gracious to them, he grants us the same life-changing and powerful grace. When my emotions suffocate my desire to live and act in the fulness of God, that is when I feel my soul sincerely longing for his protection, my heart calling out for his strength when I have none.
The last verse God put in my heart on this incredibly challenging day was Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
We tend to think of this verse as it relates to the big decisions and moments in life, and it absolutely does, but we can also be anxious about the smaller and even inconsequential everyday things. For people who struggle with their mental health, anxiety can encompass many things, often every day. The Bible wouldn’t have over 50 verses about anxiety if it weren’t something we go through, but more importantly, something that God cares about and wants to help us through. He knows that we need and desire peace during storms, hope during darkness, and wisdom in confusion. He will lighten our emotional load when we bring our hearts to God with prayer.
Follow-Up Questions:
Can you think of a time when doing things felt overwhelming and impossible?
Has God brought verses to you that have been a source of comfort and Godly wisdom?
Prayer:
Lord, I need you every day and every moment! Thank you that I can rest in knowing that you are the Lord over all my life and a Father who desires me to come to him. I pray that you will use your Word and the people in my life to encourage me to grow in you and trust in your salvation.
Amen
Note: For those of you who suffer from mental health conditions, I want you to know that I feel you and know of the struggles that happen every day. Yet, it is essential to note that the Bible is the best source of all that we need, but it is also important to seek help from professionals. Whether that means medication, behavior modification, or therapy, there are some great resources available to you. If you don’t know where to start or feel overwhelmed, ask a friend or family member to help you, or go to a Biblically-based church to help guide you through this time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Although she grew up on the beach in SC and lived in the mountains of CO, Andrea loves living in GA more than anywhere else since she lives there with her husband, John, and their dog, Maya. She enjoys reading, writing, embroidery, and sourdough making. As she has gotten older, she has seen that God offers peace beyond understanding, his timing is perfect, and he works all things for his glory. In this season of life, she is experiencing the blessings of marriage, as well as the newness of God’s healing and restoration. She enjoys sharing her life and the Word of God through writing for Tirzah and hopes that lives and hearts will be touched through her words.