Bad days

Bad days, everybody has them. Well, today was mine. I'm sick with the flu, feel like poop, and just found out that my "adoptive grandpa" (aka...a older man I was really close to at church) died today from either a heart attack or stroke. Totally unexpected. I feel sooo bad for his wife. (my adoptive grandma)

Kinda feel like crying, kinda can't. So, yeah, that is the story of my bad day. But we shall not dwell on the negative shall we? There is always positive mixed in with the negative....the positive I dwell on is that God is in control. No matter how bad it gets, He has got it under control. He has it all planned out, and it is always for your good, whether it seems like it or not.

Also, as my mom often reminds me, someone always has it worse off than you. You're having a bad day? Well, someone in the world is having a bad week, month, or heck...even a year!

Another thing that cheers me up is music! AAHHHH.....what would life be without it? Here is a song that always cheers me up. :)

Depression and Negativity

Depression. Such a sad word. Many times I have caught myself saying phrases like,"I was depressed today", "I'm having a case of depression", "I don't feel like it, I'm depressed." I openly admit it, I am a negative person. Instead of looking at the glass half full, I look at it half empty....and cry over it. ;) Not too long ago, God slapped me in the face and told me that being negative is a sin...and that I needed to get over myself. Whoa....wake up call! Well, getting over my negative thoughts is alot harder than I realized....and I still find myself slipping back into them. (like a few days ago...) But here are some tips that I have found that really help.

1) Stop thinking about yourself!!!

The main way to stop being negative is to get your eyes off of yourself, and start focusing on God and others around you. There are so many other people that are hurting so much more than you. Keep an eye out for a friend in need, or a person in need of a friend, or an elderly neighbor that needs company, or a little kid who needs some positive attention. If you don't know where to start...ask God! When you first wake up pray, "Lord, what can I do for you today?" I guarantee that he will answer.

2) Read the Bible.

This one is kind of a no brainer. Open it up to Psalms or Proverbs and pick out a passage about praising God. Praising God helps you focus on his goodness, and not on your negativity.

3) Sing!!!

Not just any song though... sing a praise song. Like reading the Bible, praise songs helps your negative thoughts disappear while glorifying God.

4) Before Bed...

I don't know if it's just me or what...but I always seem to get more depressed at night right before I go to bed. Maybe it's cause I finally have time to think...and I think about all the bad things that have happened. (instead of the good things) But anyway, while your in bed, right before you go to sleep, read a praise passage or sing a praise song. It will put you in the right mind set and helps you sleep better. (or at least it does me...)

I hope this post helped somewhat. Being depressed and negative is not fun. It wears you out and makes you not want to do anything. Plus, it is dishonoring to God. Take these three points (especially the first) to heart and continually ask, "Lord, what can I do for you today?"