Sometimes you get in a funk. It can last for a few hours, a few days, or longer. Then feelings of discouragement set in. But you know that feeling aren’t facts and you evaluate them. Is how you feel about a situation true? Or is it your perception of the truth? And sometimes the answers to these questions leave you confused and still discouraged.

 

To sort through these confusing feelings, I often pray through my mess. I held onto God’s promises like Jeremiah 29:12-13. Here is an example of a prayer I journaled at a time when it seemed like discouragement and depression was winning. 

 

Dear Lord, help me. I’m in a weird place. I’m not feeling great about myself. I feel like I’m just existing. I feel  like what I do doesn’t matter.  

 

Lift me up Lord, I’m feeling down. It feels like something I can’t shake, but You can.

 

Help me to trust, Lord, and stop being so hard on myself. If it’s not one thing, it’s another trying to drag me down. It’s so annoying and discouraging. You tell me that your burden is light. What does that look like in real life? 

 

Help me to understand. Help me to be grateful. Help me, Lord. Protect my head and my heart Lord, while I pray. 

 

I know, Lord, that You can pull me out of the hole I’m in. The hole where lack of motivation and exhaustion exist.

 

I feel lost Lord, help me. You are not the father of confusion. I feel like I’ve been through a battle and am left with many scars that are still healing. This is some heavy stuff, Lord. I have no mental energy and I can no longer pretend that my feelings don’t affect me. 

 

I know I need you, but you seem far away like it’s not enough…like you’re not enough. Forgive me, Lord. My head knows that that’s not true, but my heart tells a different story.

 

Help me to remember that you love me. I don’t understand how, but you love me so much. Enough to send Jesus to die for my sins. Enough to pull me out of this pit I’m in. You bring another day. You bring hope and new life. You bring encouragement. I rest in your promises as this discouragement melts away. I love you, Lord, in Jesus name, amen!