Stressed Speechless
Words are my love language. They’re my joy, my living, my study. Words are my work and my play. And the Word of God is my Life, my Breath, my Bread and Butter.
BUT!
There are times when I’m beyond myself in stress levels or brain fog or overwhelm.
Often, journaling and talking and praying (verbal processing of every kind) helps dramatically. It’s how I keep my sanity.
But sometimes, I’m at a total loss for words. And then what?
Overwhelmed Beyond Words
I still need to express my heart and distress for my own processing and healing. And that’s the first step for me before I even go to a trusted mentor or friend. But when words fall short, I’ve found a few back up plans I like to turn to—
Top 10 Nonverbal Ways to Cope
- Walk (or run if that’s your thing), especially in sunshine
- Shower
- Pray in your spirit
- Paint (even just picking a color and smudging it across paper can get some mood out)
- Scribble (particularly great when you’re angry, frustrated, or feel helpless. A good angry scribble is a healthy way to let some steam out.)
- Hum a worship song (Praising God shifts everything inside and often unlocks the words we need to get honest with God).
- Doodle or draw (maybe sketch what you wish were so, what you dream of, what you lament.)
- Stretch or massage what hurts (Our bodies speak without words all the time. Listen and love on whatever part of you has been carrying extra stress or sorrow for you.)
- Fast (Nothing stitches you closer to God quicker that I know of.)
- Just be.
Just be.
Let’s dig into that last one a bit here. Because its the best one.
Just be.
After a recent relational and emotional whammy, all I had were tears. I didn’t have strength to ask God questions or ask Him to do anything or to even be mad. I laid on a bench in the sunshine for hours, and I just was.
I just was, with God.
I could tell He was near, and I didn’t want to talk. I just needed to know I wasn’t alone; His presence was all the comfort I needed.
Being stunned and sorrowful and speechless in the worst way turned out ok because I can’t remember a time in recent years when God felt so very near.
Truly, He draws near to the brokenhearted.
So lean in to Him, with or without your words. It’s your presence He’s after. And I don’t know about you, but it’s His I’m after too.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18, ESV
Until next time…
May Peace Himself hold you & hold you together. Toodles!
Read more about Danita Jenae here
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