There are moments in our lives when situations just knock us right off our proverbial stools.
It may be that something comes up at work you hadn’t expected, the test you had prepped for didn’t go well, or the new relationship you thought was going well fizzles out.
You will note that none of these are catastrophic situations, but they are enough to take the wind out of our sails. They are enough to have us doubting ourselves and wondering if we can truly pull through.
I know I have been in the doldrums on many occasions. I have seen my faith dwindle in the face of circumstances.
If you also need a quick boost to get your faith levels up, and get you believing God’s truth and taking the right actions, here are five things you can do today.
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Listen to worship songs
There’s just something about music that elevates the heart and quiets the mind.
The right song can get you in the right frame of mind – one of praise rather than worry.
Now, there may be situations where you don’t have access to music, in such situations you can sing.
Recently, I was working on a personal project. On one particular day, I had struggled so much to complete it that I almost gave up. It was something I had been on for months and the thought of giving up at that stage made me miserable. I literally didn’t know what to do.
At some point, I got off my chair and started pacing. Then something magical happened.
A song I hadn’t heard in a while came to my heart – it was about how the walls of Jericho came down as the children of Israel sang and praised God.
This is a song in my indigenous language. I ended up singing that same song for almost an hour and it changed the atmosphere. Afterwards, I went to bed.
By the next morning, I was refreshed and ready to tackle my project. The song gave me peace and strengthened my belief that God could and will intervene in my situation. And He did!
The song was a powerful reminder that nothing is too difficult for our God. Imagine that he brought down the mammothlike walls of Jericho from the praises of His people, why would my problems (which were small in comparison) trump him?
He can truly do more than we can ask or imagine!
The Bible also states that the ‘Lord inhabits in the praises of His people.’ Praising God boosts our faith considerably.
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Pray about it!
Ordinarily, prayer should have been at the top of this list but I have realised that there are times when we are so down that the thought of stringing words together in prayer alludes us.
But prayer remains a powerful means to connect and draw strength from our father.
And even in our most desperate moments, we can start by saying ‘help’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
Here’s a quote from Anne Lamott that captures this feeling:
“Alone in my hotel room later that night, I felt stricken and lurky and dark, a wallflower at the vampire’s ball. I cried a little, then closed my eyes, bowed my head and whispered: “Help.”
Anne Lamott, ‘Traveling Mercies’
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Do some exercise
You were probably surprised by this; I was too until I tried it.
This one has an intrinsic and extrinsic value.
Intrinsic because as we exercise our bodies produce helpful hormones that can lighten our moods and disposition.
Similarly, I believe exercise also has an extrinsic value because it physically takes us out of the situation.
This is because there are times when our faith struggles are a factor of our environment. If you’re having issues with your partner, it may be best if you were out of that environment, albeit temporarily.
Same thing at work.
Taking a walk may be just what you need to clear your head and get your thinking more objectively. At this point, it’s easier to allow God’s word and truth to filter and help you see the situation in his light.
Your exercise could be even more impactful if you also prayed alongside. I wrote briefly here on how I have active/exercise prayers.
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Sleep on it!
Our bodies were made for work and rest.
And doing more of the former and less of the latter can leave us more vulnerable than necessary.
Think about it! We are more likely to express a heightened sense of fear, worry and anxiety when we are tired. We are also more likely to say and do things we will regret.
There are loads of advice about what not to do when you’re HAST – hungry, angry, sad and tired.
Here are two Bible stories that put this in perspective (there are others as well):
Story of Prophet Elijah
“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree…”
What makes this story so poignant is the fact that Elijah had just finished doing some of the greatest miracles of that time – the one with water and fire (1 Kings 17&18). Yet, he becomes so weary and afraid that he wants to die. Thankfully he sleeps soon after and the angel takes care of him.
There is the saying that ‘there is no high without a low’. We will all have high and low moments, but it is important that we don’t lose sight of the need to take care of ourselves. We can’t run on empty – both spiritually and physically.
Esau Sells His Birthright
“Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birth right.
You may be wondering why I’m sharing these particular stories but the lesson is simple – we need to be careful of what we do when we are vulnerable.
While I know sleeping will not always be possible or make things better, it will hopefully give us a chance to refresh our minds and bodies.
“weeping may tarry for the night by joy comes in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
Don’t despair, sleep on it!
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Speak to a spirit-led friend/mentor
Did you know that some people are truly angels on earth?
They are God’s hands and feet.
I know we too should be God’s hands and feet on earth and by God’s grace we are being formed into the likeness of his son.
But honestly, there’s an incredible release that comes from speaking to someone who not only understands what you’re going through but doesn’t judge you.
Rather they encourage you and build you up.
They speak God’s word into your life and remind you of whose you are.
For me, that is a powerful expression of God’s grace but I also realise that not everyone will react this way.
Conclusion
The Bible says that faith comes by hearing, not just any motivational or nice sounding words, but by hearing the word of God.
When next you’re feeling your faith levels slipping, bring it back up by spending time in worship, praying, resting or speaking to someone about it.
I pray in that moment of anxiety, you remember whose you are and you remember that he is able to do more than you can ask or imagine.
Amen.
This is a very uplifting post, thank you. I found out recently that Alexa will read the Bible to me while I’m cooking dinner, uplifting, indeed!
Hi Priscilla, that’s a great idea! I have listened to podcasts while cooking, but not done so with the Bible. Will definitely try it out! Thanks for sharing.