Moving Past The Funk
Not long ago I awakened in a funk. I felt a bit off and in a bad mood. I could not figure why. Usually, I wake up and look forward to the day and what it will bring. On this day, I didn’t want to see or be with anyone. This was strange because my husband says I never meet a stranger and I fill our calendar with social events.
This day I wanted to cancel activities and go back to bed. Those warm covers were calling me. No phone, no computer, just me and my bed. Of course, being married to my favorite guy would never let that happen. He is up at 4:30- 5:00 am every morning and ready to start the day. By the time I show my face (usually an hour later), he is smiling and full of energy for our morning greeting. My routine is to greet him with sleepy eyes, then head to my office for quiet time and studying.
On this particular day, I dragged myself to my office grumbling all the way, while asking the Lord, “Why do I feel this way? I had enough sleep and have nothing physically happening except the usual aches and pains of aging. I have so much to be thankful for with family, friends, our home.…”
But no answer came. I opened my Bible, and nothing spoke to me. I turned on music, and nothing moved me. EEK! What was going on? A few days before my funk, there were a few things people had said or done that were hurtful (hopefully in innocence), but I usually take those things to the Lord and try not to dwell on them so I don’t imagine things that are not.
Slumped on the sofa, looking out the window of our Colorado summer home, suddenly something caught my eye. A black squirrel dashed across the driveway. After just a few moments I saw it dash back with a small pinecone in its mouth that looked like a cigar. This made me smile. Watching the squirrel repeat this mad dash again and again, I decided to investigate. He would climb the tree, chew on a pinecone stem until it dropped to the ground, grab the cone, then take it to a pile he was collecting for the winter—then repeat the process again.
My heart lifted a little, I returned to the sofa, noticing the flowers we planted in the yard this summer. Hummingbirds fluttered from flower to flower, their thin, long beaks sipping the sweetness of nectar. Their tiny wings flapped 10-80 times per second. I felt glad we had planted flowers for these precious birds to feast upon. While the hummingbirds were enjoying their morning, my eye caught a mother and her baby chipmunk scampering towards the blossoms. I thought how cute they were with their tails twitching and brownish silver markings catching the sunlight, until they started eating the petunia blossoms. Grrrr.
Further in the yard, another movement caught my attention. A mother deer walked into the scene with her tender gait, accompanied by two brand new babies hopping around her, their snow-white spots the picture of purity. One of the fawns wandered away to explore, but the doe warned her baby to return with a “look” only a mother can give. I lost track of time watching the three delicate creatures eating their clover.
Swoosh. A brilliant bluebird landed on the eve of the roof next to my window and broke out in melodious song. Amazed by all the activity in the yard, I felt like I was in an animated cartoon of perfect harmony.
“From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.” Psalm 50:2 NIV
I wondered what the Garden of Eden looked like? Did Adam and Eve enjoy nature as much as I was enjoying nature at that moment? My answer came through Scripture:
”All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.” John 1:3 AMP
The foreboding feeling I awoke with lifted and joy rose up inside of me. I whispered a prayer, “Lord, this is all for me! Thank You.”
We live in an instant society. We want instant answers. We want instant fulfillment. We want instant success. Quietness sounds deafening and our moods can be discouraging. Yet the famous adage “Stop and smell the roses” is a wise one. The Lord speaks to us through the Holy Spirit and sometimes the Holy Spirit is silent to get our attention. As the psalmist says:
“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
When I sat in my quiet funk, the Holy Spirit did not impress words through the Bible, worships songs, or devotionals. It was in the quietness and peace of His creation that I found joy again. As Isaiah writes, “The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they break forth into singing” (14:7 ESV). It took the Holy Spirit to snap me out of my funk, to teach me to discipline myself to be still. My heart became filled with thanks and praise for this lesson. His silence has meaning and His power restores our souls.
Do you have days when you can’t seem to snap out of that funk? On this particular day the Holy Spirit ministered to me through nature, but He is creative and has many ways to minister to us. When He is silent; stop, listen, be watchful, and be at peace. He is not deaf to your prayers. He is not blind to your funk. He lives within you, knowing all things.
As Thanksgiving approaches, you may have a funk day. The enemy likes to throw you off guard from all the things you have been blessed with. I encourage you to grab paper and pen. Look around and begin writing the things that are obvious as reminders of His thankfulness. Then be still, allowing Him to open your eyes to behold His wonders and majesty in not-so-obvious ways.
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 91:1 ESV
Family and friends, I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Let’s pray:
Lord, there are days when things are just not right. When I pray, I feel like I can’t hear you. Teach me to be disciplined in stillness and quiet. Help me be comfortable in not having to talk or scramble for reasons for my feelings, but instead to rest my mind and be at peace while I wait to hear from you. I know Holy Spirit You will minister to me in Your perfect way. Your timing is always perfect. Thank you for knowing what is best for me and being creative in ministering to me. I will stand in faith on Psalm 23:3, “You will restore my soul.” Amen.
