Beaches to Brave Heart

My mom asked me the other day how I was feeling, after yet another doctor’s appointment.  Off the cuff I said, “Mom, my emotions are caught somewhere between Beaches and Brave Heart.”  Yep that’s right – my feelings were caught somewhere between Barbara Hershey and Mel Gibson, at the same time.  I felt as if I was on my death bed, handing over my look-alike daughter to a friend who had made our friendship all about them, and I wanted to yell... ”Can’t you see I’m dying?!”  Then the next moment I could imagine that I was covered with homemade blue paint, wearing a potato sack, screaming “FREEDOM!!!” and charging the battle field of life next to Mel (pre-drama) Gibson.

Funny thing is I think a lot of us live on an emotional roller coaster.  I myself have struggled with depression several times in my life.  For a season I even needed pharmaceutical help.  The problem with living by our emotions is that we make “how we feel” a chemical imbalance excuse, when we need to wake up and remember that we have an enemy.  The word tells us that Satan’s goals are: to kill, steal, and destroy.  I don’t like to spend a lot of time thinking about him, but to walk in complete denial of his presence only lets him win. 

Case in point - a few days ago, Daniel left for work and I was all alone with my thoughts.  Next thing I knew I was staring off into nowhere, filled with gloom and despair.  My first reaction was to call my mom or girlfriends.  But my gut told me to “go to the throne before the phone.”  I listened.  I stood up, and prayed my way out of the funk.  I will continue to win this battle field of the mind.

Tips for pressing in and through:

*Stand UP - Literally stand up when you pray.  Walk the hall, street, or circles in your room.  When we stand we engage our bodies and incorporate our “whole self” into being involved with our minds.

*Get Dressed - Ephesians 6:13-18 says to put on your spiritual Armor!  We have been given a helmet that guards our mind, a breast plate that guards our heart/emotions, a belt that holds up truth, shoes fitted with the Gospel of peace, and a shield of a saving faith (that puts out those arrows).  Most importantly, don’t forget your SWORD!  Lift that sucker up.  Read the Word and remind yourself “Whose” you are!  Let’s face it - although the sweats are comfortable they can keep you lethargic and lazy.  (This is that great excuse you’ve been looking for to treat yourself to some “prayer” clothes.)

*Play some worship music - Charge the atmosphere.  Worship reminds us of who God is.  Sing along!

*Call a fellow Warrior - Get your prayer warrior posse on prayer alert.  There are times I couldn’t press through and I needed my husband and/or friends to stand in the gap.  (Hey - there’s a reason Mel didn’t charge that field alone, you know!)