Does this sound familiar?  “I just don’t feel happy.  I don’t really know why, but I just can’t seem to snap out of it.  It’s hard to find joy in anything.  I feel like I’m on the movie Groundhog Day and I’ll never escape.”  We only need to turn on the television to become bombarded with advertisements claiming to have the solution to our problems, so I know I’m not the only one who sometimes feels this way.  When those empty thoughts arise, how many of us want to head to the nearest mall to “fix” our exterior in hopes to feel better?

Solution #1.  Maybe some new clothes will help my outlook.  Then, three hours later, leave the mall empty handed because everything I try on either doesn’t fit or isn’t my style.  I guess I’ll continue to wear the same ‘ol t-shirts and yoga pants I’ve been wearing for the past couple of years because the new styles just aren’t “me”.   But, really…who am I these days anyway?

Solution #2.  Oh, look at my face…When did my “youthful glow” disappear?  I know!  I need to take better care of my skin.  A few months later, my skin may feel and look better, but I still look in the mirror and want to cry.

Solution #3.  I know!  I need to spend more time (& money) on my make-up…maybe it will make me look and feel better.  But, even after painting up my face, I realize it wasn’t the answer either.

Solution #4.  I know!  I’ll lose some weight!  This should give me more energy and a better outlook on life.  Purchase a gym membership.  Three months later and many hours spent in the gym, a few pounds may have been shed and clothes are fitting better, but there’s still discontent.

Solution #5.  Working out at the gym is getting boring, so maybe I’ll try the latest trend in weight loss.  But, will that really help or make me feel worse?  After all, how is the feeling of starvation supposed to make me feel better? LOL…

Solution #6.  Trendy weight loss is too expensive or not working, so I’m going to try new recipes and cook healthier meals.  Since it will require a lot more planning, slicing and dicing, I’m going to purchase some new kitchen gadgets to make prep time simpler.  A few years later, when preparing for a garage sale, you see those kitchen gadgets and think to yourself, “I only used this once.”

Solution #7.  I know!  Maybe I should work on my surroundings…I am going to paint and redecorate the areas of my home that I spend the most time in.  But, once it is complete, the new view is nice, but it still doesn’t bring as much joy as I thought it would.

Solution #8.  I know!  Maybe I need to focus on everyone in my household and what they need to improve on and what they need to do to help me out. This is one of the most dangerous, in my opinion, because little eyes are always watching and little ears are always listening.  What life lesson do I want to teach them?

Solution #9.  Maybe a 3 hour counseling and cry session at midnight with my husband will help.  Surely, he can give me the affirmation I need.  The late night talks and his affirmations are nice to hear, but those warm-fuzzies don’t leave me content for long either.

I mention the above because I have SO been there, as I think many women have.  Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying.  I think it is good to want to be healthy and look/feel our best.  What I’m trying to emphasize is how many hours in our day and thousands of dollars American women spend in a year on items we hope will fill a void only to find the void is still there?  How many times do we expect our husband, children, friends or other family members to step in and be our everything?

My belief is we all have a spot in our heart which can only be filled by our Creator.  Life is full of ups and downs.  Many times I’ve caught myself looking for a way to fix the outside as if to think, “Maybe if I try to fix what I see on the outside, I’ll start feeling better on the inside.”  From my own experiences, attempting to fix the outside might help for a little while, but I always reach a point where I still feel something’s wrong with me.

4 Daily Practices Which Help This Woman Fill the Void:  Every time I get back into the bible and search God’s promises and what God says about my struggles, He is always faithful to fill the emptiness and help heal my insides.  I’m never happier and more at peace than when I (1) daily feed my thoughts with scripture, (2) start my morning in prayer before my feet hit the floor, (3) spend the day jamming out to praise & worship music and (4) have a good heart to heart talk with a godly friend. Allowing God to fill the void so the impossible responsibility of trying to fill my void doesn’t fall on my family is one of the best things I can do for them.  Mommy is more enjoyable to live with when she’s not running on empty.

Have a blessed Tuesday!  Again, thank you for allowing me to share my heart…

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5