Mindfulness
I wanted to write something on a personal level and how I (try to) overcome these. In hope that it can help others experiencing low moods, and depression as well.
Does anyone sometimes just think, if we can just get through this situation or just to the weekend? Or if I could just finish this degree or be able to drive or just get a cure for this illness I would be happy?
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Then I thought, that these are things that may or may not ever happen and if they do whether tomorrow, next week, next month, year or decade that would be in the future (and that’s if the future comes or the second coming happens 1st!)
Surely we need to embrace the present. I/ we need to be grateful what we have in the present. As opposed to waiting for something to happen or change to be happy.
And I am, I am so grateful and blessed for my wonderful children, my family and friends, my home, warmth and have food in the cupboards. It can help us to turn our thinking from what we don’t have to what we do. A little task each day: think about, even write down 3 things you are thankful for.
We also need to learn to embrace life as it is. How though? That is the question!
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Living in the moment and ‘mindfulness’ seems to be becoming ever more popular in this day and age in the secular world. But perhaps we can use some of these concepts and turn it to living with God in the moment or becoming Mindful of Christ.
According to Psychology Today, “Mindful people are happier, more exuberant, more empathetic, and more secure. They have higher self-esteem and are more accepting of their own weaknesses. Anchoring awareness in the here and now reduces the kinds of impulsivity and reactivity that underlie depression, binge eating, and attention problems.”
When I’m being “mindful of Christ” I sit comfortably in a quiet place, no distractions and spend some time praying, asking Him to direct my thoughts and then listen and wait for a response. Then with what he says to me, perhaps a verse, I meditate on it; Just repeating it over and over and if I get distracted or my thoughts go wandering off, I just gently bring it back to His word or just simply talk to Him again.
Sometimes just listening to some calming worship music or specifically designed Christian meditations on Abide. Just sitting and being with Him. Quoting from Abide… “how amazing is that?”
Recommended scriptures to Meditate on:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Exodus 33.14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”Â
Psalms 46.1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”Â
Psalms 91:2 I will say of the Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
But what do we do when we’re feeling down, depressed or anxious? I don’t know how others experience it as we’re all different, but I just struggle being myself, not wanting to talk to anyone else, or if I do, the mask goes on and being normal or “ok” becomes a very convincing act, hopefully! Then when no one is about and were stuck with our own thoughts the darkness creeps in. What then? I might not be “in the mood” or not wanting to do anything. But what good is that to ourselves or anyone else? I have created a playlist of songs for these times, I just need to force myself to play them! In the beginning I would listen to some really depressing music, stick the earphones on and just dwell. Now, I’ve changed the music, to the more calming, peaceful, encouraging kind.
Some of my favs include;
You Say- Lauren Daigle, I don’t have the answers- We are Messengers and Surrounded (Fight my battles)- Michael W. Smith
For my full playlist Check out Mood Boosting Worship Songs.
These songs are encouraging for me as they recognise that there are trials, difficulties and storms in this world and in our individual lives but remind us that God is there for us amidst these, as reflected in Psalm 23. What I learnt from these songs is that maybe it is ok not to be ok and we may not have any answers to certain experiences but if we trust in Him we can be held! So, speaking to myself as well, lets turn to and hold on to Him and allow His love to break through, because after everything, we have that.
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English
“Yesterday is a memory
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a present” xx