There is an answer

Do you ever have days when you feel low, but can’t quite put your finger on the reason? Perhaps it lasts longer than a few days. It’s frustrating when you know something is wrong but you just can’t pinpoint the cause. Many times the cause is obvious, but what do you do when it isn’t?

I have a spiritual checklist, which I pray through with the Lord if I feel down and can’t quite pinpoint the reason. The letters make up the word TORAH (the Hebrew word for the first 5 books of the Bible). Here it is:

T = a Trust issue. Is there something bothering me which I just need to trust God with? Am I worrying about something? This can sap energy.

O = an Obedience issue. Am I disobeying God? The answer might be obvious. But even if nothing comes to mind at first then I ask: What was the last thing God said to me and have I done it? Nagging mild guilt is very draining.

R = Rest(or other physical cause). Am I feeling low because I’m exhausted? Am I obeying God’s word in having a Sabbath day every week? Perhaps I’m doing too much because I can’t say no. That might be because we want to get other people’s approval, rather than doing only what God has asked us to do. Are you physically unwell?

A = Anger. Is there something I am angry about? Ask God to show you the answer to each of the questions, but especially this one. Sometimes we have learned in childhood to suppress anger so we become totally unaware of it and we can’t feel it even when it is there. Sometimes we’re angry with God but don’t “allow” ourselves to feel that, because we think we shouldn’t. So ask God to show you if you are angry, even if you don’t feel angry.

H = a Healing need. Am I feeling low because I’ve been wounded? Betrayed perhaps, or put down and rejected? You can be injured in your spirit, which is a deep wound that only God can heal. Ask Him to show you if you have a healing need. He is the great healer.

I take this list before God and go through it slowly, pausing on each one for quite a while, and ask Him on each point to show me any problem in that area. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start. As today’s Scripture says: the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He wants to bless us and heal us. That’s why He sent Jesus - to show us His love in reality.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You love me and want the best for me. Please show me today if I need to trust You, obey You, lay down my anger, lay down my tasks or come to You for healing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.