Feeling numb

What is up with that expression anyway? :) How do you "feel" when you are "numb"? Isn't the result of numbness no feeling at all?!

Well, anyway, that is how I am feeling, or not feeling today...numb. Not feeling much of anything yet feeling very much aware of the "lack of feeling". I would say it's just a "hormonal thing" but it isn't...which makes my heart all the heavier.

Truth is, I can't really say much about what is going on, why I feel numb...but I figure I am not the only one who has ever felt "feelingless" and I thought it would be a good time to share what to do in those times.

Preach to yourself the truths of the Word of God. Again and again and again.

Refuse to give way to emotions that are contrary to godliness.

Cling to the Sovereignty of God.

And then rejoice that His sovereignty includes the truth that nothing, not your own sin or that of anothers can keep God's plan from coming to fruition.

Be humble (remember, God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble...and we all need as much grace as possible in times like these :) )

Remember that "to everything there is a season" and this season of "numb" will not last.

Say to yourself over and over till you really believe it :)..."This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Pray that the feelings of "numb" would slip away into a heart of "rest" and being "still"..."Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

And then keep praying...maybe emotions of praise and joy and thanksgiving are a serious struggle...but, Revelations 5:8 says that the prayers of the saints are actually incense before the Throne. It's the posture of our heart that matters even more than the lilt in our voice or the smile on our face!

Lastly, no situation, no emotion, no feeling should take away our joy in the only thing that matters most and is a guarantee...God Most High and our sure standing with Him because of the work His Son, Jesus, did on the cross for us!

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flocks be cut off from the fold adn there be no heard in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18

Comments

Loved how you wrote to "Remember that 'to everything there is a season' and this season of "numb" will not last."

(You must've read my blog from yesterday??...) I wrote about feeling "numb" as well!---except you gave some excellent advice regarding this "condition", while I just...well...didn't!

Thank you for all the good things you shared. I will definitely keep them in mind, as well as remember that this "season" will not last forever!

thanks!!
Anonymous said…
You have just come down off a thrilling ride! Time spent back "home" and with family every minute, I'm sure!;kept 6 kids together, bathrooms in site and hubby too; one more overnight visit before arriving at your home laced with practical jokes; done oodles of laundry; put the finery on the Christmas tree and other Christmas dressings in place and now find yourself back into the homeschool routine (though the "chitlins" might not want to be) and you wonder why you feel "numb". You need this "down" time compared to the knothole you've just pulled yourself through! Of course, God knew you needed that extremely "up" time so you words could be a balm and encouragement for us as we go through the same thing. And sometimes, it's the down and out times - the circumstantial lows that we come through that also leave us at a "feelingless" state.
Thanks,
Bridget from Binghamton, NY
Ruth said…
Kristin, I don't have anything profound to say or add...except that whatever or where ever God is leading you and your family, KNOW that He loves you more than we can fathom! And this will pass!
God is using you and your family in ways you can't even imagine!!
Remember too, that when Jesus was in human form he also suffered these same feelings we have! One of my favorite verses is:John 11:35, Jesus wept!
Love you very, very much!

p.s. I am NEVER to busy to listen to you, call me if you need to!
For His Glory said…
Ahhh yes I've had these days way too often...Thank you for being honest and sharing your heart so that we may be encouraged in our time of need...
Aww, sweet sister! Thank you for sharing your heart...now I know how to even better pray for you! I love you so much, and am SO blessed by your attitude and perspective no matter WHAT God throws at you...and from what I've seen over the years, He has thrown truckload upon truckload at you!

But you are becoming a beautiful, shining image of Christ with each of those truckloads, and your wisdom and understanding has grown for all to see.

Keep preaching to yourself, and thank you for ALL those truths that we ALL need in these moments of "numbness"...I wouldn't be surprised to see you write a book someday when your kiddos upon kiddos are all grown up (whenever that will be :))...the truths the Lord puts on your heart to write are an encouragement to many!! With how many readers you have, your blog is practically an unpublished book! :) So keep at it!

I love you so very much, and if I could, I would come over and give you the mug you gave me (that says "Be still and know that I am God." and a pack of Columbia Roast Instant Coffee...I bet your taste buds would at least "feel" something :)

Love, Me
Melinda said…
Beautiful Post!!! Thank you for that, I certainly needed it.
Kristin, Gen. 45:26 provides Jacob's reaction to learning that his son Joseph was still alive. The Nas translates his reaction as "stunned," but the ESV chose the word "numb." Jacob did not believe the report because, to him, it seemed preposterous or absurd that such a thing could be true.

But once Jacob saw the evidence of God's grace, his spirit "revived." In speaking about our God, David wrote these encouraging words, "The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble" (Psa. 9:9). I know you know this, but God's glory is best seen when we are weak, weary and, yes, even numb. Jesus is our stronghold!

"Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." Psa. 30:5

Love you,

Dad
I echo what Ruth said ... "God is using your family in ways you can't even imagine." Time will reveal this, I am sure!