I Can't Get Up But I Know I Have To
Have you ever woken up, immediately sad about having to get out of bed? Some days you just want to stay in and sleep, not because you’re lazy or tired, but because you don’t have enough energy. There are certain periods in my life when that is my normal.
So what gets me eventually out of bed? I think of the things I’ve committed to, responsibilities I have, and people who are counting on me. I think of the things I might miss out on. I think of my well-being and ask: Will staying in bed help me recover from whatever bout of melancholia or depression I’m currently in? Or will it only further my sadness?
There are days when I find myself taking a bath and going out, in spite of what I’m feeling. If it’s that kind of day for you, congratulations! That’s a big deal.
But there are also days when I can’t bring myself to get up. If it’s that’s kind of day for you, that’s okay too. Give yourself the space to grieve or heal or rest, and pray. Try again tomorrow. The important thing is that you keep on trying.
Whether or not you get out of bed, there is a God who will not leave you. A God that will love you even if you can’t bring yourself to go to work or school. A God who will give you strength when you feel like you don’t have the energy to live life. Trust that He knows what you need on that day, whether you’re in bed or out of it.
Whenever you feel like you can’t get out of bed, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and just have an honest conversation with God. Think of what the day will be like if you just stayed in bed and think of one good thing that can happen if you do get out of bed.
This is an entry from Ida Torres from Dawns: A Weekly Devotional for Self-Care and Spiritual Growth. This devotional is available at OMF Lit Bookshops and our online stores, shop.omflit.com , Shopee, and Lazada for P350.
About the book:
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns."
- Psalm 46:5 (ESV)
Many times a woman’s path is dimmed by heartbreak, loneliness, pain, self-doubt, and suffering. Where could she turn to find light?
This weekly devotional for women offers words of friendship, grace, joy, peace, and love. Written by three authors — Isa Garcia, Janina Rivera, and Ida Torres— these pages tackle women’s journey of faith, self-care, and spiritual growth.
Read the entry for the week...
Set aside time to meditate on the anchor verse...
Respond to the journaling prompt in whatever way you wish...
And remember, just when everything looks at its darkest,
soon will break a new dawn.