Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Chapter 10 Press On: March On O My Soul


The title of this chapter is something I have been saying every day for quite awhile now.

Sadly there are many days that I just don't want to get out of bed.  In the section of this chapter titled Turn your feelings into Action Jennifer writes " Steady, small actions will slowly reduce the big feeling that is paralyzing you. All feelings are real, but they aren't all based on reality, and they certainly aren't all productive!" She encourages us to do something, even if it seems small, inconsequential. It may seem silly but it works!

Get up, get dressed, make the bed. Tasks that used to be effortless can become monumental. If you just take it one step at a time pretty soon you will be moving through your day rather than sitting motionless paralyzed by emotion in the bed or on the couch.

I so loved what Jennifer said about affirming your true identity Don't let feelings define you; let who you are define your feelings. Powerful words for an emotional gal like me! I have always had a flair for the dramatic. "Oh Tina don't be so dramatic" My mothers words in purple here!
I cry easily, always have. I cry when I am happy, I cry when I am angry, I cry when I am sad. I think in many ways that quality has served me well. I am usually an even keeled person. 

Emotions do not have time to sit around in my mind and heart, they come and they are processed and laughed, fumed, or often times cried out. This is fine for your every day normal highs and lows. 

Unfortunately my days are far from normal. I am finding it somewhat difficult to manage the emotions that have come with my new kind of normal. So many unknowns, so many what ifs.

 I must remember that I am who I am in Jesus Christ and I am not defined by the many feelings I am assailed with. Those feelings, those emotions are not stable, not reliable. 

He is the same yesterday today and tomorrow and He has promised to never leave me. Now that is something I can hold on to.

So for me I will try my best to Speak Truth to My Soul. 

I loved the quote by Walter Elliott 
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another."

 This is  good because the thought of a long race is daunting but a short race, I can do that.

Today was a bad day for me, not much singing going on here. Tomorrow is a new day and I will get up, I will get out of bed, and I will press on. Maybe I will even try to sing a bit.

2 comments:

Liz said...

Still praying.

Carol said...

Hang on my friend. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Also put in a prayer request for your family with our prayer team at work.

One foot in front of the other.

Lot's of love,
Carol