A Change In Mood

Did you ever just get in a mood?
There is nothing wrong.
Nothing can you can think of.
You just feel out of sorts.

Perhaps there is a sense of restlessness.
Perhaps there is a sense of confusion.
The feeling cannot even be described.
It is there, unnamed.

Sometimes, we wake up that way.
Sometimes, we start the day off with a nagging in our spirit.
We can point the finger at this or that.
If we are honest, all the finger pointing in the world will not explain it.

We put music on to soothe our weary souls.
A song we hear makes us cry.
We read a book.
A chapter seems to be peering inside our heart.

I remember teaching my children that feelings should be the caboose of our train.
Our feelings should never be driving the train.
If our feelings drive the train, a derailment is waiting to happen.
Feelings follow along and sometimes, they catch up.

If we waited until we felt like doing something, we would be waiting a long time.
If we waited until our feelings were pleasant and acceptable, we may never do anything.
Feelings are deceiving.
Our feelings cannot be trusted.

Sometimes, we just have to do what we know is right.
That will, based on Truth, drives the train.
The feelings come along for the ride.
If we picture our feelings as the caboose, it will help us when we are confused.

I am re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia, just for myself.
I read them aloud to my children.
This time I am reading them for me.
This time I am the one gleaning from C.S. Lewis’ wonderful story.

I am reading Prince Caspian.
The Pevensie children are in search of Prince Caspian.
Not knowing which way to go, Aslan the great Lion, is seen by Lucy, the youngest.
Lucy and Aslan talk; she is frustrated that her siblings will not believe Aslan is there.

It is hard when you are the youngest.
Lucy has been right before, though not believed at first.
This time is no different.
Aslan wants her to tell her siblings that He is there.

They all have one reason or another for not wanting to follow Lucy, who is following Aslan.
Her older sister, Susan, is especially unkind in the way she talks to, and about, Lucy.
I read a paragraph and it made me pause.
I marked it in red with a notation: important to remember.

And so at last they got on the move. Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the things she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan.

I read those words.
I re-read those words.
I knew they were true.
A glance in Aslan’s direction was all Lucy needed to focus again on what is important.

I want to stay in the habit of glancing at my problems and gazing at the Lord.
(Joni Eareckson Tada)

Gazing at the Lord.
That is the answer.
The unnamed mood may still be there.
However, something much more Beautiful and True is in front of us.

Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
    I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles;
    their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
    they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
    their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
    with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.^[c]
They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?”
This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.
 All day long I have been afflicted,
    and every morning brings new punishments.
If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
    it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
    you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.
When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.

Asaph wrote Psalm 73, a psalm of lament.
However, Aspah’s lament turns to praise.
It turns to praise on the basis of one word: till.
Asaph, like Lucy, turned his attention off his problems and turned towards the Lord.

That turn in focus makes all the difference.
The problems do not go away.
Rather, our perspective changes.
Where we focus our eyes, really matters.

We will still wake up feeling out of sorts.
Our unnamed mood may linger.
Praise God, our eyes do not have to stay focused inward.
Our eyes turn upward and gaze at the Lord.

That makes all the difference.

 

2 responses to “A Change In Mood”

1. Thank you. I needed this today.

   Reply

   • Michelle,
     I need the reminder, as well, some days.
     Gina

     Reply