"My heart, it broke harder than I thought it could

O God, what a mess this is

What a mess this is

I don't know where to begin"

The last couple weeks have been hard for me. I'm not gonna lie. I've cried and I've been emotionally and mentally stuck. I want to get out of that hole and come back to a state of mind where I feel at peace again. Where do you begin when it comes to finding healing and peace? Here are some things to do to begin the healing:

1. Pause.

If you haven't stopped to assess the situation and think about all your options and how to move past it, then this is where you should start.

2. Talk to someone about it.

Whether this is your counselor or a close friend, talking to people about what's in your mind and heart and let them hear what you have to say. The people that care the most about you will give you their honest feedback on your situation. Sometimes you just need a listening ear, and sometimes you need to hear what someone on the outside of your situation thinks about it. These words can either lift you up or tear you down, depending on how fragile you are to the situation when you hear them. It's good to talk to people. We weren't meant to go through life alone.

3. Open your Bible.

God has so much to say about your situation you're in. Our God is a God who heals the broken. He is our Comforter and Father. He will be there when no one else is. God's word is filled with so many verses about healing. Try looking at Psalms 23.

4. Take some alone time.

Sometimes it's hard to be alone with yourself in a time of hurt, other times it's just what you need. Sleeping helps you forget the hurt for a bit. Watch Netflix in bed in your favorite pajamas. Eat some cookie dough or ice cream and take some time alone to let your wounds heal.

5. Surround yourself with supporting people.

These are the people who will be there no matter what. These people will comfort you in the darkest times of your life, but they'll also be there to celebrate with you in the brightest times of your life. Hold onto these friends.

6. Eat some good food.

Food is a wonderful thing. If your friend tells you that you need cheesecake to feel better, don't question her. Get in the car and go get cheesecake. Food will always help you feel a bit better.

7. Have fun!

Get a bunch of friends together and have a movie night or play some board games or listen to music together and have a dance party! Being silly and goofy can take a lot of the stress and pressure off of your current circumstance.

8. Pray.

Talk to God. Talk to our heavenly Father. Open your heart to hear what God has to say to you. His words are so comforting in a time of hurting. Be silent. Meditate on his words. Listen to what he has to say.

9. Go out!

Get dressed up, put on makeup, do your hair, and get in your car and go somewhere, instead of cooped up inside all day. Whether it's with a group of friends to go mini-golfing, an arcade to let your inner child come to life, or something quite like a movie, getting out of your room or house is a way to start healing.

10. Take a moment to give thanks.

It's so hard to be in pain and hurt, but taking the time to appreciate the good in your life can be just the step in the right direction you need.

Hopefully, these ideas will inspire you to take a step towards healing. It's okay to be empty. God will use this time to start filling you back up again. It's okay to be broken. God will bind up your wounds. People are praying for you and they love you. Be strong. You are loved. You are not along. You will survive this. Everything wil be okay.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

This blog was inspired by the song "Where to Begin" by Jenny & Tyler. (I love this husband-wife pop-folk band and I highly recommend them!) This song is off their album, Of This I'm Sure (2015). A portion of the lyrics to the song are in the beginning of this blog.