5 Things to do When you're feeling blue

Dear Reader,

Have you ever been through times when your feelings will come crashing like waves and you'll feel like you are drowning with all your emotions, and even if you were having a good day, you'll just suddenly feel so sad for no particular reason? Don't worry, you are not alone. I've had my fair share of this experience before and back then when I did not know what to I would just end up feeling miserable all day. It will take a lot of effort for you to get out of that feeling and if you're lucky, you'll have your family and friends to cheer you up. I recently had a conversation with my friend who was in a similar situation and after listening to her and giving her some advice, we prayed together and Praise God, she felt better after. The good thing now is that I know how to handle such moments in my life when they occasionally arrive. So I figured I'll just share the things I do when the emotions come rushing in. And if right now, you feel lonely and depressed, try this and maybe it will help you too. :)

1. Pray 

Prayer really works. I cannot count the numerous times in my life that prayer saved me. Our God is a loving God, He is our father and He will always hear us out whenever we talk to Him in earnest through praying to Him. As what Matthew 7:7-8 says " Ask and you will receive;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives;whoever seeks,finds; and the door will be opened to him who knocks." Pray for a peaceful heart and mind, and He will really calm your restless soul. Pray for strength and courage that you will make it through this temporary struggle. The pain you are feeling now has a purpose. Never stop praying. 

Photo from Pinterest.

                                                   

2. Meditate on His Word

There's a certain stillness in my heart whenever I read the bible. Let's spend some quality time with God whenever we feel down, and He will surely lift our spirits up. Here are some of the verses that helped me make it through the emotional storm that I was in months ago. 

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me." Psalm 138:8

" Be still and know that I am with you." Psalm 46:10

"When I am afraid , I will trust in You." Psalm 56:3

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2

"I have heard your prayers, and I have seen your tears. I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5

"Have patience, God is not finished yet." Philippians 1:6

Photo from Pinterest

3. Listen To Worship Songs

Listening to music is an instant mood changer for me. Music has this way of evoking certain emotions in us. When we hear certain songs, sometimes it reminds us of certain people, or it makes us want to dance and sing along, or it will make us feel even more sad. Do yourself a favor and avoid listening to songs about brokenness,or just sad songs in particular, because unconsciously your mind will pick up the sad melody and lyrics and you'll end up bawling your eyes out. Instead listen to soothing, lively, up-beat music, to cheer you up. There's actually a lot of great music you can look up and download but here are some of the songs you can try listening to.

This is Amazing Grace by Paul Wickham

Oceans by Hillsong United

Captain by Hillsong United 

Ever be by Bethel Music

Say the Word by Hillsong United

Ships In The Night by Mat Kearney

Alive by Hillsong Young and Free

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli 

Stand Strong by Moriah Peters 

Brave by Moriah Peters 

4. Spend time with your family and friends

Talk to your trusted family member. Do not be afraid of voicing out your problems and troubles to them. They will encourage you and help you with what you are dealing with. If you don't have someone at home who you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with, talk to a trusted friend, and really, it will lessen the load you feel. The friends we have now was put by God in our lives for a reason. Indeed, "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

Mary, Jan, and I, having a really good time talking and laughing our hearts out.

Photos were taken by my talented friend, Chaz. :) 

                                           

5. Be One With Nature

Take yourself out on a road trip somewhere, go to the beach and feel the sand in your toes and swim in the ocean to clear your mind off of things that's been bothering you. Walk in the park, smell the flowers, and observe your community. Walk your dog, go jogging and trekking to new places, and watch the sunset with hot chocolate in one hand and Siomai on the other. The world is so beautiful you just have to shift your perspective. In the grand scheme of things, all the problems we are facing is nothing compared to the how God sacrificed his Son, Jesus Christ to save us. As in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave us his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." So yeah, go out,breath, and let it go. Let Go and Let God, as they say. 

Quality time with my puppy, last 2016.

My beautiful bestfriend, Mary.

Last year's Holy week climb at Mt. Capistrano 

Never feel that you are alone because He is always with us, just watching over as He gives us some tests in life that strengthens our character. 

So, yeah, those are the things I mostly do to battle those hard times. I hope this little list helps.

Yours Eternally, 

Chiqui