If you’re any bit like me, every now and then things get heated up mentally, emotionally and sometimes, even physically. Very often I go through times when I’m completely flustered and in desperate need of a safe place where I could escape from it all. At times like this I find myself antsy and I desperately search for a place to dispel my worries and ease the tension. Sometimes this feeling is triggered by a task that has found a permanent site on my to-do list, a fast approaching deadline, a deep dissatisfaction with where I am or frustration at the turn of events.

Before now, I would wallow in these ill emotions for days on end but over time I’ve discovered a few things that always help dispel the negativity fast. So, in the spirit of Christmas (ho ho ho, you can call me Santa Simz), I’ll be sharing with you these best kept secrets on how I keep my head above the water.

1. Worship:

This one works like magic for me­­! The moment I hear a song of worship or praise, it’s like pouring ice cold water on my overheated brain. It calms me down faster than anything. Worship helps remind your soul that the things you’re running after and worrying about are minute things compared to the size of our God; it’s literally like a drop of water compared to an ocean. More so, you were created first to worship and please God. Every other thing, particularly things on the earth, is VANITY.

Bethel Music and Elevation worship are my go-to guys for this! You can also listen to my favorite song of the moment here. You can thank me later.

2. Read Your Bible or Listen to a Message

Whether or not the words are related to what I’m going through, I find that this brings me tremendous rest. This is because, behind the word of God is the voice of God and God’s voice can calm every storm regardless of the intensity. The You Version bible app is a fantastic resource for this and podcasts make messages more accessible than ever before. If you’re in Nigeria, amidst all the craziness, particularly with the recent stunt NCC is trying to pull, a data-efficient alternative would be to upload a few messages to your music player.

3. Remember God’s promises

God’s promise on your head is BIGGER that your current circumstance, regardless of what it may be. Understand that God is intentional. If he didn’t have a purpose for your life, he would not have woken you up this morning. Why because, that will be wasting oxygen and precious earth space among other things and you can trust that God is not a waster.

You can consciously maintain this understanding by writing his promises down on a piece of paper or speaking them UNTIL you believe it. Whenever I remember this, I relax in him.

4. Vent To God About It

God said in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”. He also said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.

God would not have said all these things if he did not mean them. Did you notice that in the first scripture he said, “casting ALL your care…”? That means he cares about everything and he is ready to listen to you and take up the burden of that situation and circumstance. There’s actually no need to use filter or form with God because he sees your heart and knows exactly what you’re thinking, how you’re thinking it.

All the above points have to do with God and this is because he holds all of creation together and outside him there is chaos. God is the ultimate resting place and these are merely different “routes” to him. If you try all the above and it doesn’t work, that’s most likely an indication that you’ve somehow lost your way and need to retrace your steps back to him.

In less than 27 days, the year 2016 will be gone never to return and so we must make sure we don’t enter 2017 with the same baggage of anxiety and worry. Until next time, always remember Jesus loves you and his love has no substitute.

Love,

Santa Simz.