Have you ever had a day you just wanted to cry? I’m sure you have!
Today is one of those days for me. Last week at my post-surgical doctors visit, I was told (again) that I will most likely never get pregnant. This is something that I handle better on some days, and not so great on others. In the meantime, we are trying to find an adoption agency to work with for a second adoption.
First thing this morning as I checked my email, I saw a message back from an adoption agency I had contacted. The response read, “We are currently not accepting out of state apps unless a family has an Indian Role Card.” We definitely strike out on both of those!
While the email response is God answering the prayer that we would find the right agency to work with, it was a frustrating response. We are having a hard time finding an adoption agency that is accepting new applicants, including the agency we worked with for our first adoption. I feel like we’ve hit a brick wall and really don’t know where to turn next. So yes, I just want to cry.
However, on days that we just want to cry, it’s so easy to fall into a “poor me” trap, and that is not a good place to be. I do think it’s okay to cry…we often need to shed those tears…but we also need to foster a heart of thankfulness instead of self-pity.
So on those days you just want to cry, here are a few things you can do that might help….
Pray
First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God knows and God cares. He wants us to come to Him with our burdens, our desires, our heavy hearts.
Read Scripture
I love reading a Psalm when I’m feeling down. A Psalm is a great reminder of who God is and what He has done. Even in his darkest moments, David sings praises to God. What a great example to follow!
This morning I read Psalm 37 with my son at breakfast. I was reminded to “delight myself in the LORD…” (vs. 4). Above all else, I am to put the Lord first in my life, to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
I was also reminded to “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (vs. 7). Oh, this is a tough one! After all, I wish we already had all our adoption paperwork completed and were already on a waiting list…or better yet to already know a baby is on the way to us. That is just not the case yet, so I need to be still, wait patiently, and know that God has the perfect plan, just the right agency, and has already hand-picked the baby HE wants us to have.
Journal
Sometimes I find that once I put everything I’m feeling down on paper, I’m able to think more clearly for the rest of the day. For me, journaling is also a form of prayer, as it’s a way for me to cry out to God.
Listen to Praise Music
There is just something about listening (and perhaps even singing along) to worship music. It lifts the spirits. It takes the focus off of yourself and places the focus on the Lord instead. It is always good to praise the Lord!
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