Tammy Pfaff
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Finding Joy

9/21/2020

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​Finding Joy

But let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.
Psalm 68:3 (NLT)
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I will let you in on a little secret: It’s ok to smile. It is ok to sing happy songs loudly, and it is ok to laugh at yourself.
When we are suffering from sadness, it is hard to smile let alone be joyful. We often feel guilty to have or show a little joy because of our distorted thinking process. Sometimes we are so miserable, it becomes easier not to smile, and sometimes we just forget how. It doesn’t feel natural.

When my oldest two girls were little, my husband would try to make me laugh during my depression, and he encouraged the girls to play along.

“Where is mommy’s sense of humor?” Kevin would say. “Has anybody seen it?”

The girls would giggle and pretend they were looking for it. They would follow his lead looking under the sofa. “No, it’s not there,” they would say. “It must be in mommy’s sock drawer.”

I was usually in my miserable state of mind. But they would continue until I at least cracked a smile. Annoyed, I usually laughed a little because they were so darn cute. Thank God for Kevin’s sense of humor over the years. But I remember fighting it. I wanted to wallow in my depressed state. Leave me alone and let me be, I thought. Most times it took everything in me to put on a happy face in social gatherings. It was exhausting to hold up that mask. I actually got pretty good at hiding my depression when I needed to. Of course, church was a different story. It was usually very hard to keep it together when a sermon touched a nerve, or a song would trigger the tears. Many days I couldn’t hold it together. Sometimes I cried for days.
I don’t know why I felt guilty about finding joy. Maybe I felt so bad about myself in the midst of my sadness that I didn’t think I deserved to have times of joy. 

Guess what? It is ok to feel and express times of joy! You deserve it. God wants you to have joy in His presence.

I often felt the most peaceful when I listened to some music I liked. It is those times—even if we are alone in the car—to sing for joy to the Lord because He has given us another day. Be thankful for that. Sing at the top of your lungs! Be joyful in His presence. It is even ok to feel joy around other people.
​
I must confess that today, sometimes I leap around the house flinging my arms like a ballerina. The kids laugh at me. I call it “fairy dancing.” It’s quite fun and difficult not to smile and laugh while I’m doing it. It brings joy. Try it when no one is looking. Then encourage others to join you.


  • Do you feel the need to fairy dance today?
  •  It’s ok to experience joy when you are depressed. Don’t fight it.
 
Dear Father,
Thank You for joy and laughter. Remind me constantly it is ok to smile and laugh. I deserve to be joyful. Sometimes, Father, it is really hard to do find joy in the pit of despair. Bring me joy, Lord. Thank you!
In Jesus’ name, I ask,
Amen

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Facing Fear

9/3/2020

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By Tammy Pfaff
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
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Fear literally causes a physical reaction in us. Fear is a feeling that bubbles up inside of us. Fear can happen in just about any situation. Sometimes our reaction protects us. Other times it hurts or hinders us. Fear can cripple us, even take us down if we let it. We can run from fear or we can face our fear. The Good News says, we don’t have to do it alone.
I’m afraid of a lot of things. I’m a little afraid of driving on the highway. I say a prayer before I make an attempt. Some are scarier than others in fact, there is one highway in our city of Philadelphia that I will not use. The Schuylkill Expressway. I’m ok with that.
I’m afraid of scary movies. I can’t even handle major action-packed films without getting a little crazy. My heart races, I hide behind a pillow, spontaneously jump up out of my seat and run for the door. I often come back for more because curiosity gets the best of me. I do the same thing over again.
Some things in life can be really scary, especially in the world we live in today. According to the CDC, we have over five million cases in the U.S. today. It is a very scary situation we are in. The epidemic of Covid-19 has our nation in a state of fear. (Most of us anyway. Some are not taking it serious at all. That is a different story altogether.) But most of us are fearful of the current situation. Some have to put themselves in danger more than others because of what their job requires. Anxiety and panic attacks are bound to increase across the country. How are we handling these anxieties? 
Many years ago, early in my struggle with depression, I developed panic attacks. They seemed to come out of nowhere without rhyme or reason. Thankfully most of them happened in the privacy of my home. After talking to my psychiatrist, I realized I was afraid of the attack, afraid that I would stop breathing and die. He asked me what would happen if I gave into the fear and let the attack playout?
I had to gear up to do this exercise and trust that God would have my back. One afternoon I faced my fear. I began to hyperventilate as usual. This time, instead of panicking, I didn’t fight the attack. I let it happen. Although I still had to breathe into a paper bag to slow my breathing, the duration of the attack was cut in half. I survived. My fear lost its power over me. The attacks diminished.
That exercise might not be possible with different symptoms of panic attacks. But I have learned by my own experience that if I follow the instructions in the verse above, I can conquer anything. I seek God’s presence, ask for strength and guidance. I still have anxiety from time to time, but I’m no longer afraid of its power knowing God has my back.
How are you handling your fears? Have you learned different ways of dealing with them? Consider sharing, you never know who you may help.  Be a blessing to someone and share today. 😊
 
Dear Father,
Every fearful situation is different. I thank you Lord, knowing I don’t have to face my fears alone. I don’t have to be discouraged because you will strengthen me and be with me. Help me to move through them. Equip me Father. You will conquer my fear. Protect me Father. I have faith that am in Your hands today.
In Jesus’ name I ask,
Amen.

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