Do you ever have days when you just don’t want to get out of bed?

I’m not talking about the days you wake up and wish you could hit the snooze button a few more times. I’m not referring to days when you didn’t get enough sleep because you stayed up too late watching David Letterman. Those days are normal. For some they happen everyday.

I’m talking about the days when you don’t want to get out of bed, because you don’t think you can face the world outside the covers. I’m talking about days when it hurts to think about facing life.

Do you ever have days like that?

Perhaps you’re like me, and you’ve had seasons where facing the day seems unbearable. It can last a day, a week, or months at a time. I’ve spoken about this before, but I went through a mini-depression a few years ago. My boys were leaving home, my father and Cheryl’s father died, and the stress of ministry was greater than ever. Some days it was all I could do to put on my pastor smile and keep going.

At times, the stress of life can cause a person to wish they didn’t have to face another day. In a world of constant changes, uncertainty, fear, trials and steady burnout, keeping your chin up and continuing to smile can often be a challenge. Has that ever been your story?

I wish we were better as a church and a society of realizing those times are natural, allowing people to be honest about them, and helping people through them rather than looking down on them because of their inner struggles. Even godly, people of extreme faith have times when they fell all is hopeless. (Read about Elijah and Paul for a couple of good Biblical examples.)

What do you do on days like that?

After years of experience, both personal and walking with others, here are a few suggestions for those times:

Get up and do something – No, you may not feel like it, but doing nothing during times of depression, mild or otherwise, almost never solves the problem. You may not be able to do what you need to do, and you certainly may need rest, but continuing a vegetative state of existence is not the right answer. Discipline yourself to get out of bed, be around people, and stay active.

Do the best you know how today – You may not be at 100%. You may only be 20% today. Okay, perhaps you only have 1% to give today. That’s okay. Give that. Do the best you can do today and don’t feel guilty about not doing all you normally would do. My guess is there’s probably something you can still do that will bring value to the people around you…yet another reason to get out of bed.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help – This may mean professional help and don’t be ashamed of that. Most of us need professional counseling at some point in our life. But, also soak up energy from others for a season. It’s okay to need others. In fact, that’s one primary purpose of the body of Christ. We are to bear with one another during tougher times of life. Chances are you’ve been there for others when they needed help. Now let others be there for you. (Note: Relying on others should not be an excuse to ignore the other principles here. You still have personal responsibilities and ignoring them will not help you, but only enable you to continue in your current condition.)

Prepare and build – This is a time to practice healthy discipline, get consistent rest, exercise, eat healthfully, and prepare mentally and physically for a day when you feel better about your surroundings. Watch for the healing moments, the days when a smile comes easier and for the door of opportunities to open, which encourage you. Those are good days and you should be even more productive on those days. You’ll be able to celebrate your progress and, when repeated over time, it will help lift your spirits. God does heal when we submit our pain to Him. In these seasons, you’ll also learn to recognize the signs that a period like this is coming again. Store up that wisdom and experience to help others and yourself in other similar seasons of life.

Wait and listen – God will use these times of desperation to build you more into His heart and character. This should be a time of constant prayer, crying out to God for help. Many of the Psalms were written during times like this in the Psalmist’s life. Read a few of them. Don’t make drastic decisions during these days as you wait for God to speak clearly again.

Have you been there?

You may now want to read my post “God WILL Allow More Than You Can Bear“.

Have you ever wished you could stay in bed and not face another day? Are you there now?

What steps have you taken to heal from times like these? What or who helped you the most?

Share your story so it will help others.

HE ONLY is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. Psalm 62:2 KJV

If you are trying to be your own rock, WATCH OUT!

The forecast is calling for rough winds throughout the rest of the century up until…at least when Jesus returns.

I use several versions of the Bible, but for this verse I particularly like the King James Version. Notice carefully that the Psalmist is being gut honest with us. It says when God is my rock and my salvation, my defense, I shall not be greatly moved. Here’s the part not to skip…the Psalmist does not say he will not be moved, he says he shall not be greatly moved.

I can identify with the Psalmist.

Now I don’t know about you. Maybe you are much more righteous than I and you “never” experience movement in your Christian walk. Your trust is never affected by the changing times, the uncertainties of life, or the fear of the unknown. You simply trust Him every day. The winds and trials of life don’t sway you from a solid faith. There is no doubt in your heart. You have rock-solid faith everyday. Good job with that super faith.

But as for me, I still move.

No, I don’t want to move. I don’t want to waver in my faith. I know God can do immeasurably more than I can think or imagine. I want constant, powerful, unmovable faith.

Sometimes I still struggle a bit in my faith.

Okay, total transparency here…sometimes…depending on the day or the circumstances…sometimes I struggle a lot…

Thankfully though, I have found from steady experience that the more I grow in my relationship with Christ, the more I get to know Him, if I will consistently seek to make Him Lord of my life, even though the winds keep coming, they have far less impact on me.

My faith is stronger today than it was in years past. That’s probably good, because storms and times of testing seem only to get bigger as time passes. The good news, however, as my trust in Christ has grown…

I’m less likely to be GREATLY moved.

I bounce back to my faith in the Solid Rock of God quicker than I used to do. Over time and by experience, I’ve learned that when I allow Him to be the Rock, instead of me trying to be my own, or even relying on others for my strength…when I cast all my cares on the One who cares for me…I find I am much more powerful to meet the storms of life.

Be honest. Are you allowing Him to be your Rock, or are you trying to do things on your own?

I travel frequently, so I’ve mostly tuned out the safety routines at the beginning of the flight. One line, however, always causes me to pause and think. Have you heard this before?

In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you. To secure, pull the mask towards you, secure the elastic strap to your head, and fasten it so it covers your mouth and nose. Breathe normally. Even if the bag does not inflate, please keep in mind that oxygen is flowing. Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others.

I’ve highlighted the part that causes me to reflect.

Breathe Normally.

Yea, right!

If I’m on an airplane, and oxygen masks are necessary, I’ll not be breathing normally. I may still be breathing, but it won’t be normal. I’ll be breathing heavily…very heavily…if at all. I’ll be gasping for air even if the supply of air is plenty.

It’s a great reminder to me. In times of tremendous stress or pressure, I shouldn’t expect to feel normal. I shouldn’t expect to feel completely natural when life makes no sense. I can’t breathe normally, because nothing is normal about life as I currently know it.

What should I do during times like this?

Find my center of gravity – I have to find my grounding again. When life is in chaos, it’s important to cling to what makes sense. Obviously, my relationship with Christ is premier here. The more I can base my life on truth, the more naturally I can breathe.

Surround myself with the right people – Let’s face it; some people are encouragers and some are not. When you’re having trouble breathing anyway, why surround yourself with people who suck the life out of you? Find people who encourage and build you up and cling to them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; even professional help if needed.

Look for small wins – Even on the darkest days of life, there’s probably something you can celebrate. Look for the moments, experiences and memories you can praise. Try something again and rejoice in the minor victories. The road to further success begins with small steps taken repeatedly can consistently.

What do you do when you can’t breathe normally?

I’ve written about airplane oxygen masks before, and applied this script to leadership. Read that post HERE.

I’ll explain more in the days to come, but Cheryl and I made a video recently. We shared it with the church yesterday. It’s one of the hardest videos I’ve ever had to make, but it feels great to be in the center of God’s will.

Changes ahead.

Ron and Cheryl Edmondson from Gcomchurch Sermons on Vimeo.

And without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6

The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. Genesis 21:1

It made no sense.

Sarah was too old.

Everyone was laughing.

They had tried to “help God out”.

But, God did as God promised to do.

In spite of the circumstance.

In spite of the irrationality of the situation.

In spite of those who said it couldn’t be done.

In spite of how long it seemed to be taking.

Sarah delivered a son, even in her very old age.

Don’t discount God because of your circumstances.

God is going to do what God chooses to do. He keeps His promises.

Where in your life are you waiting for God?

We walk by faith, not by sight… (2 Corinthians 5:7)

That’s why…

• You can’t always understand the ways of God…
• You can’t always find your way in this world…
• You often seem confused by the circumstances of your life…
• You seldom seem to have all the pieces of the puzzle…
• You struggle to make sense of life at times…

Because you walk by faith, not by sight.

You know what faith is…

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is a substance. It’s not faith in you…it’s faith in God, not in your understanding or your abilities…but in God’s understanding, God’s abilities.

And, remember…

Without faith it is impossible to please God… (Hebrews 11:6)

Having to walk by faith lately?

If so, you are on the right track to finding His pleasure.

By the way, you may want to read a previous post, 10 Tips to Understanding Faith HERE.

In my experience, peace often doesn’t come until obedience begins. Seldom do I have complete peace prior to beginning to obey what I sense God is calling me to do.

Many times the direction God appears to be leading me doesn’t make sense. I’m restless. I don’t sleep well.  I question myself and what I’m sensing.

I’ve previously written steps I take to discern God’s will (You can read that HERE and HERE), but after I’ve done that process, and I’m still sensing God’s leading, the next place for me hasn’t always been an overwhelming sense of peace. The next place for me is one of obedience.

I’ve learned I may have to get my feet wet (Joshua 3) before the waters begin to part and peace begins to fill my heart.

Are you in one of those times of discernment? Do you sense God’s leading? Do you believe God is calling you to a new level of faith and dependence on Him?

The next step may be to get your feet wet.

Improve this post. Share your stories.

The tomb is still empty.

HE is not here; HE has risen! Luke 24:6.

Happy Easter!

A look at John 12:12-28. Sometimes things have to get desperate before they get better. Let’s look at the final week of Jesus earthly ministry. Things are getting desperate, but Easter is coming!

The Hour Has Come from Gcomchurch Sermons on Vimeo.

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. Psalm 77:19

...through the darkest days of my life…..where were you God…..I only saw one set of footprints in the sand…..where were you God….those were the times, my child, when I carried you…….

You are familiar with the “Footprints” poem that has been commercialized onto plates, pictures, ties, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, etc, etc, etc. I once thought it was overused. In fact, I wondered where the Biblical reference for it was. I knew it was sound doctrinally, because I had experienced it so many times in my life, but I didn’t have a reference to back it up until I read this verse years ago.

Of course, the opening Bible verse refers to the famous march through the middle of the waters by that powerful leader we know as Moses. (I wrote more about that time HERE.)

Can you imagine how the Israelites must have felt? They had escaped the years of slavery and persecution to head for what they thought was a chance at real freedom and along came the Pharoah’s finest, ready to put them on the chopping block. Needless to say they were slightly disappointed. Moses summoned God, who told them to go through the center of the sea.

Yea, right! Yet, as strange as that may have sounded at the time, the people enter the “water” on dry ground! I know, it doesn’t make sense, but that is what happened. Read it for yourself if you don’t believe me.  (Exodus 14)

Did they see the footprints of God? No! Did they doubt who parted the water? Did they question who dried up the dirt? Well, let me ask you, could you have done it? Neither could they!

They knew that God was being God….again!

Has He ever been God in your life? Can you explain it? Did you see His footprints? But if you submit yourself to God and allow God to do His work in your life, make no mistake about it, you will clearly know He is God and there is no other!

Read the poem footprints again. You probably have it on a coffee mug somewhere. Then recall the many times that He has taken you through the waters. Thank Him for carrying you all the way…though His footprints may not be seen!

He is a mighty God!