How are you feeling today? In this instance, I’m not talking about your physical health, but more about your emotions.
One day recently I was feeling a little blue, as they say. There was no reason for it, that I knew of. I just wasn’t my usual happy self 🙂
Maybe you can relate if you occasionally have days when you’re a little down and aren’t really sure why. It could be that you’ve had lots of changes happening in your life and it’s a bit overwhelming. Or maybe nothing changes ever and that’s left you rather glum. Perhaps it’s a health struggle or a relationship breakdown or just a case of realizing you’re not getting any younger!
Whatever brings about those days, I would guess that many of us have them. But we don’t want to stay in that unhappy place. And we can’t just count on our circumstances changing to make us feel better. Sometimes we have to step up and encourage our own selves.
It may not be what we actually feel like doing, but it can be what we need to do to turn our mindset around. So if you’re looking for ways to find encouragement, something on this list of ten actions could be helpful. We likely know most of these but it’s always good to be reminded of ways we can encourage ourselves.
1. Go to God’s Word.
Read it. Dive into the Psalms – many of them are short and so relatable when we’re struggling. Choose one verse and write it out.
As you have time, dig deeper into a verse or passage. You could even turn it into your own prayer to the Lord.
2. Pray.
We can pour out every thought, every hurt, and every emotion to God. He hears and is merciful and compassionate.
3. Give thanks.
Just look around and notice all that you have to be grateful for. Write out a few of your blessings every day.
4. Praise God.
Turn on music that is uplifting. Sing some songs out loud while you work around the house or drive in your car.
5. Meditate on God’s promises.
If you know there’s a particular worry or fear that’s getting you down, find a promise of God that addresses that issue.
Is it a financial strain? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19
Need guidance? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6
You can also focus your mind on God’s character. For example, read through these six truths about God from Psalm 145 and choose one to meditate on today.
6. Do something for someone else.
Do something small – a text that says, “I’m thinking of you” – or mail a handwritten note. Or do something that takes a little more of a time commitment – make someone a meal or stop by and visit someone who’s currently homebound.
7. Surround yourself with encouraging people.
Reach out to a friend and ask her to pray for you. Head to a church service where you can connect with fellow believers.
8. Read good books that will encourage your heart.
Find biographies of Godly women or search for Christian books that will help you learn more and grow in your faith.
9. Set a small goal to accomplish each day.
Many times we feel better when we have a sense of accomplishment. Determine a small thing you’d like to do – it could be taking a walk outside or exercising or straightening up one area in your house. Tackle it early in the day so that you can cross it off your list and get that little win.
10. Find something to be excited about in the future.
Put an event on your calendar in the next few weeks that you can look forward to. Lunch with a friend, a pedicure, a visit to a craft store for new supplies for your hobby, a walk in a new-to-you park or part of town. Then take care of any planning ahead of time so that you’re ready for your adventure when the time comes.
When you have one of those “feeling blue” days, I hope you’ll choose one or more of these things to do and end the day encouraged!
Related posts:
- 3 Tips for a Better Attitude Today
- 13 Simple Ways to Encourage Our Children
- How to Move Forward When We Don’t Know What to Pray
These are great ways to change our attitudes! The best ones for me are making a list of things to be thankful for (in my head) and to sing hymns.
Singing hymns is a help to me, too, but for some reason, it’s the one I tend to forget about the most.
Omigosh, does this post to speak to my heart right now! I am in such a season of emotional rawness as Will turns 18 and asserts his independence. He is staying home to go to community college, but it is still a completely new season of parenting and a vastly different dynamic for me to discern. My mama heart is having a hard time with it, and these reminders are exactly what I need. ❤️
While my girls have gone away to college, many of my friends’ children are living at home and going to college. I hear from them exactly what you’re saying – that even though their kids are still at home, it’s a completely new experience. Trusting that as time goes by, you will both adjust to and enjoy this new season!