A time to weep

Whenever something bad happens I've always believed that I need to feel how I feel until I don't feel like that anymore. It's okay to be sad and to cry. It's okay to be angry, to admit to feeling lonely, to want to be quiet, even to stay in bed for a few days. Spend that time in prayer. Ask God for strength, guidance and for better, brighter days. Remember there is...

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Abhor hate

A KKK group is hosting a rally today in downtown Dayton. I urge everyone to just avoid this area if at all possible. I would hope the media doesn't give them any limelight and that protestors don't use violence to counter hatred. Stay safe today. Pray for peace and love.

Be angry and do not sin; 

do not let the sun go down on your anger, 

and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:9 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Rejoice or weep

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Jesus loves you

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. 

God is love, 

and whoever abides in love abides in God, 

and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Self-Control

I have a client, actually, it's the client's contractor, who makes my life miserable! He seems to feel like it's his duty to stretch out this project as long as possible by constantly asking for more details. I try to get specifically what details he needs and he just keeps repeating the same vague request. It's very stressful especially since he cc's the client whenever he's belittling me.
     When I get emotional, whether it's sad, angry, anxious, I write. When I write at work, it's usually in the form of an email. Usually, I send it and then regret it later, but yesterday, I took a deep breath and just sent it to my boss instead of this yahoo. I felt better for having written it out and my boss can tone it down and take out the frustration and anger and still get my point across.
     We can do the same thing in almost any circumstance, especially those of us who have a hard time verbalizing what's bothering us. Writing or journaling is a way to express yourself (and it gets easier the more you do it) and then you have the opportunity to forward it to someone you trust, someone who can help or sift through what you're wanting to say. The beauty of it also is that you don't have to share it at all. Once you've written your peace, you can store it away and move on.
     Self-control is necessary in order to function in society, but it can also cause pent up resentment and anger. Whatever it is that you're controlling could manifest itself elsewhere and become a source of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, over-eating, etc. We need an outlet for our emotions.
     We're to be in constant prayer. Use some of that time to just talk to God about what's going on in your life, in your heart and head. He already knows, but it's such a comfort to be able to take everything to Him. He wants to hear from us. It will make you stronger mentally and emotionally; it will bring you peace.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

He cares for me

Yesterday's move didn't go perfectly, but it was alright and I survived and now I can transition into yet another "new" life. Hopefully, this time around, I won't make so many stupid mistakes. I'll ask God for guidance a lot more often and listen better. Instead of praying for what my heart and flesh want, I hope to pray for what He wants for me and how I can serve Him. After all, that's why we're here; that's why He created us. 1 Peter 5:7 says:

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (ESV)

This is a great comfort. I don't have to worry about anything because He has a plan for me and a purpose for me being here. I never have to be alone, because He is always there for me.

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Be true

Jesus wept.

John 11:35

The shortest verse in the Bible, and in my opinion, the most powerful. Jesus was so moved by Lazurus' mourners that he also cried.
     I imagine Jesus feels all of our pains and sorrows, crying when we cry, rejoicing when we rejoice, yet we often hide our negative emotions from the world. Maybe we think our true emotions makes us appear weak; maybe we're just too full of pride to let others share in our sorrows and pain. We don't want others to know that we're depressed and hurting. We would rather suffer alone. It's so senseless and even hypocritical. I do it, too. When someone asks me how I am or how I'm feeling, I'll answer "fine" or even "good" when really, I'm a fragile mess beneath that cheery facade.
     Maybe we don't want to create an awkward situation by answering that we're sad or lonely. Or, maybe we just don't want to talk about something, but we're also denying that friend the opportunity to help or comfort us.
     I overheard a waitress training someone. She said, "And if you're having a bad day, just put on a big smile, and soon you'll feel better." That could be good advice, and it could possibly work, but, in the long run, you're not dealing with whatever has you down. All you're doing is putting on a very fragile veil that you hope others won't look past so that you can suffer alone.
     I get it. I do this, too. There's a fine line between sharing and burdening sometimes, but if you're talking to a family member or a true friend, that barrier can be broken over and over again and be repaired each time.
     I'm a bundle of emotions right now. I'm sad; I feel empty - sometimes numb - inside. I'm still in shock that my short marriage is over and that I'm living in my parents' house, yet again. I'm embarrassed and angry and anxious and depressed, yet day after day I let on that I'm strong, independent, understanding; that I'm fine with all of this. I don't want other people to feel awkward and I don't want to bring them down with me.
     In less than a month, I've been uprooted from my husband, my home, my church, and my community. I have no sense of belonging.
     Today is the final move. I've been very emotional. I've wept.

*****

Please join me this week in praying for those who hide their emotions, for whatever reason, that they may open up to you and that you may comfort them or help them heal in a timely and healthy way. So often people who hide their emotions are the ones who are in the direst need to talk to someone. Offer your ear to listen and/or your shoulder to cry on. You don't have to offer suggestions, cures, or anything. You just need to be there.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power