Life can be hard. Especially if you are in an abusive relationship, or healing from one. Or if you are a woman, or a human. You catch my drift. Life can be hard for all of us sometimes. And sometimes that hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” can make you want to vomit.
What can we do when all isn’t well with our souls? I believe that is when we need to focus on taking care of ourselves. In my book A Journey to Healing After Emotional Abuse, I dedicate a chapter to self-care. Click here to read the chapter. And I believe one of the best things we can do for self-care is to improve our relationship with God. But how do we do that?
What do YOU do when you feel far away from God? 
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Today, I’d like to share with you a habit I started years ago that helps me take care of myself. Once every three months, I take a day by myself with Jesus. I got this idea from a bible study I did ten years ago, and I’ve been faithful to this practice ever since. You might think, “I could never get an entire day away from my life just for myself!” Really? You would be amazed how wonderful you would feel if you tried this, and how much energy you would have when you return to your life after one day! Here’s what I do:
First, I must leave my house – where doesn’t really matter. Recently I found a Catholic retreat center about thirty minutes from my house, and their primary rule is, NO TALKING! For some people this would feel deadly, but for me, (I have a huge family), this silence is as close to heaven on earth as I can imagine. The retreat center is in some beautiful mountains on a large open property. I can drive there in the morning, pay a small amount for the day, and return home by dinnertime.
Before I found the retreat center, I tried many other places. Once I spent the day in the library. Another time I spent the day in my car near a park. I’ve even tried spending a day in a coffee shop (too crowded and noisy for me). The place doesn’t matter. The point is I take the time for myself, and for Jesus.
Second, I need to leave my to do list behind. So what do I do with myself all day? At different times, I’ve done bible studies, I’ve spent time in prayer, I’ve slept (sometimes I’m exhausted), I’ve read, and I’ve listened to Christian music. Sometimes I do all of the above.
The last time I went, I was worn out by some family drama, and from pouring into the lives of our tiny grand babies. So, the first thing I did was take a nap. Then, I took a long walk listening to my new playlist of worship music, which I list below.
I get an entirely new perspective after spending a day with Jesus away from the stresses of life Tweet This
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I love music, and find Christian music very healing. I just found a song called “It is Well” by Bethel Music sung by Kristene DiMarco. No, this isn’t the old hymn, though it does have part of it in its refrain. It is so beautiful! Click here to watch the video, and check out the lyrics below:
“It is Well”
Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me
Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can’t see
And this mountain that’s in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name [repeat last line during 3rd run]
[x3]
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
[repeat 2x]
It is well it is well with my soul [x3]
ahhhhhhh (softly)
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You Lord
Through it all, through it all
It is well with me.
[x2]
If you would like to check out the songs that are speaking to my heart right now, here is my current worship playlist:
- “It is Well” – Bethel (Kristene DiMarco)
- “We Dance” – Bethel (Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger)
- “I will Follow” – John Guerra
- “No Longer Slaves” – Bethel (Jonathan David and Melissa Heiser)
- “Trust in You” – Laura Daigle
- “Shepherd” – Bethel (Amanda Cook)
- “Christ is Enough” – Hillsong
- “Boldly I Approach” – Adam Daubney
- “Death Was Arrested” – North Point
- “My Lighthouse” – Rend Collective
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