I woke up with the same old voice in my head telling me to stay in bed. 

I wanted to get up and conquer the day, but it was hard to gather the energy to get anything done. 

I’ve had my share of discouraging days. And I know you have too. 

Here’s what I have learned and am learning to do when I don’t feel like I can do anything. 

1. It’s good and healing to take a day of rest. It’s okay to let yourself take the time to heal from emotional, spiritual, and physical struggles. 
2. Do one thing at a time. Do not look at your entire agenda for the day. Conquer the first thing on your list. 
3. Take the time to sit and let God speak to your heart through His Word. It might be a short devotional thought, a verse that keeps you going, or a chapter of the Bible that speaks directly to your soul. But don’t miss what God has for you in this vulnerable season. 
4. Think of others. Get your eyes off of your struggle for a minute. Do something kind for someone else. 
5. Don’t stress the small stuff. Laundry, dishes, and chores can wait. Your family needs you for the bigger things in life. Be present for them. 
6. De-clutter one space, even if it’s only a drawer. Less clutter physically brings less clutter mentally and emotionally.
7. Fix your hair even in a cute messy bun. When you take care of yourself, you will feel better. And yes, even a messy bun can look cute. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Find friends who love you, messy bun and all. 
8. Take three long deep breaths. I promise you will feel a little better. 
9. Pray. I know you might think this one should be first on the list, but I’m finding that sometimes it takes me preparing my heart first before I can pray. I do often pray first thing before even getting out of bed and it definitely helps. But the reason this one is here on the list is because prayer doesn’t always mean knees to the ground, eyes closed, and hands folded. Prayer can be done anywhere, anytime, and in any posture. I pray when I walk. Even as I’m writing or talking, prayer is my way of keeping my heart in tune with God’s. I would have no words if I didn’t constantly ask God to give me them.
10. Fix your mind on the truth. Too often discouragement is fed with lies and fear. When we train our minds to focus on God’s truth, we will be able to battle the discouragement that the enemy throws our way. This does not mean you will never have a bad day, but it does mean that you will begin to develop the skills to fight off the attacks of Satan. 

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Love & Blessings,