For people who like staying busy, what do you do when there is nothing left to occupy your time? And the bored and desperate folks, those who stare out the window, hoping someone will brighten their day, by sending a text, an e-mail, a call or something-maybe even an Amazon package. What if those desires aren’t met?

Although Winter may have kept most people inside, looking around the room they lived in didn’t turn the brain off. And now, they don’t dare look in the mirror and see the facial expression. They know how they feel. Lying down to hide under an afghan doesn’t help as they wake up to the same world.

Sometimes, life feels long and shockingly short all at the same time. Out of the blue a scrambling thought might appear. “You gotta keep moving. Take the dog for a walk or walk your “self” around the neighborhood. Whatever you do-m-o-v-e. Don’t just lie there. M-O-V-E! Did you hear me? MOVE!”

You respond and get up and get out and notice your mood improves a little with walking. Then a question starts pecking your soul like a bird repeatedly pecks a window mistaking their reflection for a rival bird. And the question gets louder, obnoxiously so. It won’t go away. “WHY DO I FEEL SO MISERABLE?” I’ve asked myself that question a time or two.

When that question raises its ugly head I try to run through a checklist in my head:

Have I been alone with God, and given him my circumstances?

Have I physically exercised?

Have I let a sin succeed in taking me to a place of temporary escape?

Am I eating a healthy diet or appeasing my emotions with junk food?

Is everything okay between my wife and I? Do we need to talk?

Have I spent too much time on my smart-phone? Is that intelligent?

Have I ignored the fellowship of being around other Christians at church?

When was the last time I helped the 90-year old widow across the street?

Am I reading God’s Word on my own?

One of my spiritual heroes, Joni Eareckson Tada, who is a quadriplegic, spoke to the miserable feelings that come our way. During her radio show on September 26, 2024 she said: “Oh, dear friend. The God of the Bible is not a celestial ogre out to make your life miserable – rather, the God of the Bible is so interested in your earthly well-being and eternal welfare that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to deliver you from a misery far, far more devastating than any botched surgery, migraine headache, degenerative disc disease, tweaked back, or pain from scoliosis.” (joniandfriendsradiosimplecast.com)

If Joni can thank God for her chronic pain (and she does) then why not thank God for your specific set of circumstances? But don’t stop there. Is it possible that God uses your feelings as stepping stones, to lead you to a greater closeness with Himself? Why not trust God to make a way? He is the Waymaker. From her vault of wisdom Joni also penned: “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

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