Life is life ... meaning sometimes it is just difficult for a number of so-called "little" reasons. Right now, I feel deep in the trenches of blah. Nothing appears to be working out right. I am over-worked, over-burdened, over-whelmed, and under-filled -- with the Spirit that is.

I say "nothing appears" because, as the above painting so clearly demonstrates, there is always something going on in the spiritual realm. God works behind the scenes even when we feel like nothing right is happening in our world. In fact, I remember a book titled God Works the Night Shift. How appropriate that sounds in this moment.

It can be embarrassing (yes, pride gets in the way) to admit, as a Christian, when you just feel plain unhappy and unmotivated. After all, we have every reason to be overflowing with good cheer. Our future destiny is more than enough to get excited about every day, not to mention, we are redeemed and set free in the now. Yet we are still humans wrought with those frustrating emotions and sinful natures.

Feelings come. They roll over us like a gentle surf, or a tidal wave of despair. Our feelings may not always be truth-based, but we surely experience them and are affected by their, at times, furious velocity.

I guess that I've clearly established I'm down in the dumps. I spend my daily work-hours encouraging, motivating, and helping others. I work in a social work position where I case manage numerous clients. I also have a ministry that involves helping women discover who they are and who they can become in Christ, so I spend quite a bit of energy giving and listening to other people's challenges.

In order to give effectively, we have to be running on full ... full spiritual strength that is. Obviously, none of us can claim to be the Energizer Bunny. Therefore, like a car, we need refueling -- often. Timely tune ups keep our vehicles in shape; specific spiritual practices keep us up and running efficiently.

The solution:

Yep, time to get in the solution and out of the problem.

The solution involves action. Isn't it ironic when we feel the most immobilized is when we need to act?

So often, we start out feeling deprived of something, then we become discouraged, then we get depressed, and, finally, we end up in a state of despair. Catching this process before it becomes a full-fledged destructive cycle is key. Unfortunately, this time, I've allowed myself to reach the depression stage.

So, what can we do? What can I do?

1. Pray -- Sadly, for me, when I get really down, I find myself stuck in my own head. You know; it's where you try to figure it all out yourself and end up, well, stuck in your head. Just talking to God and awknowledging that you can't handle "this" on your own is a huge first step. I can't. God can.

2. Reach out -- Alone with negative thinking and painful circumstances in not a safe place to be. It allows the enemy to creep in and begin his devious assault. Reaching out to others and sharing our frustrations and concerns is a huge God-ordained pain- reliever. It is not good for man to be alone. God said so. He talks about when two or three or gathered we find strength. Alone with our head-talk is not healthy, nor is it productive. Get out. Get help.

3. Get out the road map -- the Bible. Getting in God's Word once again helps us get our thinking redirected to right road. It's so easy to get lost in our feelings that we can forget God's Truth -- His plan for successful living in a fallen world. Here we find the "bread" for our souls, the food we need to sustain us. Hopefully, the map will direct us to worship, to give thanks, to confess, and to take our raging thoughts captive.

These simple action steps don't always equal a magical cure, but they always help me improve on some level. Often times, I discover an immediate cure ... the spiritual cure to my dilemnas. When it is hardest to do these things, is when I need them the most.

Wow! Just reviewing the basics has already helped my thinking. Amazing how that works. I've told you, whoever you are, and God that I can't do this alone. Now I can continue to pray and get out my map so I can get back on track where I belong.

Friends, no matter what you've done, said, or thought yesterday, today is fresh. It's a new beginning. No matter what our feelings tell us, God still rules and reigns. He is our Rock. Let us cling to Him now and always.

If you'd like, please join me in praying the following prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I need to take my own advice and pray right now. I've been negative and even feeling depressed about life. I've felt deprived of many things and have felt sorry for myself, yet I've refused to make the changes that will help me move forward. I've listened to the lies of the enemy and been a slave to my emotions instead of following your plan and staying on your path. I commit to feasting on Your Word and asking for help. I am grateful for Your love, grace, and truth. Please help me be all you have created me to be. I love you, Lord. I need you. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.