Although I am trying to overcome, I’ve got the blues today.  This isn’t really fair–I had kind of a rough night, and I thought you weren’t supposed to have two bad days in a row.  Nothing terrible has happened–praise God.  I am just have an emotional day, and every little problem as preceived by my emotions seems about 1,000,000x bigger than my logical brain knows it is.  How to cope on such days? 

     I remind myself of my great-grandmother’s favorite saying, “This too shall pass.”  I also remind myself that while my feelings are real; they are not necessarily the truth.  That is why if at all possible, it is a good idea to spend extra time reading God’s word on such days to renew your mind. 

     Another thing that has worked for me in the past, is spending my entire devotional time giving thanks. For one day, I bypass praying for others, myself, etc. and just thank God for everything I can think of large and small.  If you sit and do this and focus on the gratitude in your heart for God and really give yourself to it, I think it’s pretty much impossible not to experience a shift in your thinking.

     Exercise!  Intense exercise actually alters your brain chemistry.  You may think more clearly afterward.  You also get the benefits of the release of endorphins (the feel-good hormones, instead of the feel-bad ones, which may be causing the problem!).

     Stay busy.  It is okay to be sad and cry when we are upset, but we really can’t spend the whole day doing that.  Keep your body and your mind busy.  Catch up on laundry.  Clean the house.  Organize your drawers.  Make up your mind to bless someone else and then go to it!  Then, whatever else happens, you will have made a difference in someone else’s life, and accomplished some tasks.  That usually makes you feel better.

     Of course, I realize that when a person is really feeling emotional pain, it’s not always possible to just hop up and clean the bathroom.  In such cases, I suggest puttng on a worship CD as soon as you get a chance, and just spend some time in silence listening to music that ministers to you, and focusing on the Lord.  Whatever you do, in twenty-four hours, it will all be over, and you will have a brand new day.

    Personally, I am coping with my bluesy Wednesday by playing laundry-catch-up, and meeting my mom for lunch.  I might even wash my car.  This morning, I read a few Psalms and Proverbs over my coffee.  Reading Psalms always encourages me.  In fact, I wish I could do it all day!  Even so, I am working to control my thoughts and focus according to Philippians 4:8:  Finally brothers [sisters], whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”