Contentment- Why It Is So Crucial To My Mental Health

Contentment- something we all long for and something that so often feels out of our reach.  We wonder when we will feel content and secure and happy.  We are always striving for ONE more thing.  When we get married, we will be content.  When we get a better job, we will be content.  When we have more money, we will be content.  There is always something more that we need to be content.  This is definitely a common struggle with humanity.  I know I have struggled with this, and I know it can affect my mental health quite a bit when I am never happy with what I have and am always wanting more or feeling anxious because I don’t have what I want.  

I know I have talked about this before, but I really believe having an attitude of gratitude is so essential to good mental health, and in making us more content and joyful.  There is always somebody who is going to have more and there is always more we can attain.  However, I really believe that no matter what we are going through or what we have, there are always people who have less and always ways that our lives could be worse.  This isn’t to minimize the hard times we go through.  Believe me, I have gone through some pretty tough times and it was so hard for me to be content or thankful through those times.  I’m not saying I got up and was so happy to be experiencing pain or struggle.  But throughout those times, I found it so helpful to remain thankful and to think of things that I was grateful for.  I really believe this helped my mental health at that time and in the long run.  

If you have been reading this blog, you know that I am a Christian and that my faith is the most important thing to me.  I don’t believe just being thankful can make me joyful and this solves all my problems.  My comfort and joy comes from knowing that God is in control and ultimately has given me the greatest gift of my life in the death and resurrection of His Son who died to save me from my sins.  This is always what I am most thankful for.  But I see the many ways in every day that God provides for me and always provides MORE than what I need.  He blesses me in so many ways and I have been seeing that so much in this season.  Money is very tight for us right now and yet I see God provide daily.  We have been able to cover our bills and even have more than we need.  In this season when we are expecting a new baby, my anxiety can be tempting me to think we can’t afford it and wonder how we will make it through.  And yet, we have been so blessed by so many people who have given us gifts of money, second-hand clothes and furniture, and brand-new items.  I can’t tell you how many times I have just broken down in tears because I am so overwhelmed by the love and generosity of people around, but mostly that all those gifts come from God.  

I have talked a few times about gratitude and contentment and joy in my posts, but I wanted to write about it again because I think it is so important.  I list five things I am thankful for each day and I know I have encouraged so many people to make this a practice.  At first it can be hard, but I promise you that the more you do it, even in the hard times, you can find so much to be thankful for.  I know this has made a huge difference in my mental health and has helped me to find joy and to rise out of those dark moods.  I sometimes feel grumpy and down and feel like everything is going wrong.  The dark cloud of depression and anxiety is over me and I do find that I can break the hold of that with gratitude and the contentment that flows out of that.  I’m not saying that this is a cure for depression or that my sadness or pain instantly goes away, but this is definitely one of the tools that I use to feel better and to encourage myself when I am having a difficult mental health day.  

One more thing I think is worth mentioning again because I know I mentioned it in another post, but I really believe it is that no matter what you have or where you are, you are always able to give and bless others.  You don’t need to have more money or time or resources or energy.  I firmly believe that at every stage, you are able to give in some way to someone else.  You may have to be creative and think of unique ways, but you can do it!  If you don’t have time, bless someone in need with a gift card or pay for the person ahead of you in line at the drive through.  If you don’t have money, give someone your time.  Babysit for a couple of hours so a tired mom can have a break, clean someone’s house if they are sick, bake a dessert or meal for someone who is busy or moving or who is sick.  Send a card or a text of encouragement.  There is always something we can do to help those around us and I promise you, that this will also benefit your mental health and get your mind off of yourself and on to those around you who may be suffering just as much, if not more than you.  

I truly believe we can be content, but I think it takes practice, redirecting our thinking, and a joy and confidence in knowing that God has already given us everything, so what more can we want?  Praying that you can find joy and contentment in whatever stage you are at in life right now- in the good seasons and in the difficult and painful ones.  I have been in both, and have experienced true joy, contentment and peace in both.  

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

Pregnancy and Mental Health

I was hesitant to write about this because I wasn’t sure if it related to many people who read this blog, but it was a topic that kept coming to my mind these last seven months as I’ve been pregnant and how this change has affected my mental and physical health.  How my mental health would be when I was pregnant was always something that I worried about.  I had heard that often people who struggle with mental illness feel great during pregnancy because of all those lovely hormones!  I wasn’t too worried about how I would feel pregnant, but I was worried about the medication I was taking and if it would harm my baby.  This was something I struggled with and researched and asked for medical advice about.  I was encouraged to stay on my medication because it has a low risk for my baby and because if I was not doing well mentally and emotionally during pregnancy because I had gone off my meds, then my baby would be affected more.  I still worry a bit about this and hope I am not harming my baby, but I have to trust that I have done my best and listened to wise counsel and I pray my baby will not have any negative side effects once born.  

That being said, I have honestly felt so much better emotionally and mentally while pregnant.  My anxiety has diminished so much and I have even been able to do things that I was not able to do for years because they made me so anxious.  This has been wonderful, but it also scares me for after the baby is born.  I worry about whether I will crash once the hormones disappear from my body and if my anxiety and depression will come back worse than before.  I try not to dwell on this too much but it is something that crosses my mind.  I know there is nothing I can do to prevent this other than being aware and making sure that I take care of myself and also leaning on those around me for support.  I do feel that I am somewhat prepared for potential postpartum mental issues, because unlike some women who have never struggled with depression that end up with postpartum depression, I know what it is like to feel down and depressed and anxious and I know how to care for myself in that state.  I know that usually the feeling of depression will lift eventually and I just need to push through that time and do my best to care for myself and confide in those around me.  I believe God is in control and I know He will be with me during this time no matter what I face.  I may also continue to feel great for some time and I would be so thankful for that too, especially with the lack of sleep that I will most likely be experiencing!  

While the emotional and mental aspect has been great while I’ve been pregnant, the physical has not been fun!  I have been learning a lot through that and it has taught me to have more sympathy for those who deal with things like insomnia, nausea, aches and pains and chronic physical illness.  While I think I sympathized somewhat before because of my chronic mental illness, I have so much more respect and compassion now for the people who are suffering daily with physical illness.  For those people to continually get up and face each day knowing they have to experience that pain and suffering is overwhelming to me.  At least I know my physical suffering has an end and a wonderful outcome.  Many people suffer physically with no apparent cause or end in sight.  If that is you, I commend you and feel for you greatly.  You are so strong and resilient to keep getting up each and every day and doing what you inevitably have to do each day.  And to mothers who are pregnant and caring for other young children, I don’t know how you do it!  I can’t imagine caring for myself and little ones with the way I have been feeling.  

Anyway I just wanted to share a bit of what I have been feeling and learning through pregnancy over the past few months and how it has affected my mental and physical health.  I am so grateful for this experience even though it is hard and I am thankful it has allowed me to understand in a deeper way others’ struggles.  No matter what stage of life we are in, we have the opportunity to be growing and learning more about ourself, God and others.  I am thankful for this!  

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."

Why Saying "No" and Practicing Self-Care Has Improved my Mental Health

This is a topic that I am continually learning about and growing in.  I can’t say that I have arrived at the place where I take perfect care of myself and I am doing great.  However, I can say that as the years have been passing, I think I am getting better at this balancing act.  I am a doer and I like to have lists and be organized.  I like to help people and I hate to let people down.  I experience a lot of guilt for so many reasons and I know that this is common for people who struggle with mental health as well as for many others who do not.  I’ve really been trying to slow down lately.  This is hard for me because I always have a list in my head and I can tend to get anxious when it isn’t done.  I can also have OCD tendencies when replaying over and over what I have to do and what I have not done.  I spoke a little bit about this in a past blog post, but I really have been trying to not let my lists control me and try to do what I can in a day and then leave the rest for another day.  The world will not fall apart if I do not clean my house or attend an event that I have no energy for that day.  I am trying to relax and spend time resting.  Sometimes it helps me to ignore a nonessential task that I have set for the day when I am feeling exhausted and just go to bed, or read a book, or watch a show on Netflix.  I’ve realized that that task can be done another day and the world will not end if I do not accomplish it that day.  This is hard on my brain though because I feel guilty not doing it.  I feel lazy or like I have failed in some way.  This is my faulty thinking and sometimes if I feel that, I purposely put off the task for another day just to help myself learn that it is ok to rest and that the guilt or failure that I feel is not justified.  

Another thing that I have been learning is that it is ok to say no to some things.  Just because something is a good thing does not mean that it is the right thing for me to do at this particular time.  I think often we feel that if we are asked to do something or serve in some way that we have to say yes.  That is what being a good person, good Christian, good friend, good wife, etc. is.  I disagree.  I think when these opportunities come up, we really have to analyze whether they are the right thing for us and if this is the right time.  Sometimes it might be a great thing for us to do but it is the wrong time based on our responsibilities and what is going on in our lives at the moment.  Sometimes it is a wonderful opportunity or something that really needs to be done, but we aren’t the right people to do it.  I think we often feel like if there is a need, we must step up and fill that need right away.  Sometimes this may be true, but other times, we may be saying yes to something that isn’t right for us, something that will just drain us and deplete us.  Also, when we take on something that isn’t right for us, we aren’t allowing the right person for the job to step up, or we are filling our lives with something else so that we are not able to say yes to the next thing that we are actually supposed to be doing.  This is why I have realized that sometimes saying “No” to something is actually the healthiest thing for me.  

Life is full of choices, of saying yes and no to things.  Sometimes it is really hard to know what we are supposed to say yes or no to.  For me, I take some time to pray about these decisions and wait for God to guide me in one way or another.  I also ask wise people who I trust around me to help me make these decisions.  I have been seeing lately how helpful it is when I take time to slow down and rest, to leave my to do list undone, and to say no to certain things that aren’t right for me at this time.  

Self care is so important and I know that as much as I love to work and be with people and accomplish things on my to do list, I know that I also need to rest and relax and do things that fill me up.  I must be filled up before I can pour out.  If I am empty, I am no good to anyone and my mental, physical and spiritual health suffers.  

Everyone needs to practice self-care but especially those of us who struggle with mental health.  We are often more fragile emotionally and can’t always handle what people who do not struggle with mental health can handle.  My encouragement to you today is this…please take the time to stop what you are doing and rest.  Say no to something that you don’t think is the right fit for you at this time.  This can even mean not going to a social event or hanging out with a friend on a particular day.  I can’t tell you how many times I or a friend of mine has cancelled hanging out because they need to rest or they aren’t feeling well.  It’s ok to take that time for yourself and to care for yourself.  The people who really love you and really know you will understand.  

Do something that fills you up!  We all need that and if you don’t take the time, you will end up paying for it.  Take it from someone who is still learning but who is seeing the benefits of this.  You won’t regret it!  It can be hard at first, but like any skill, it is learned and you will get better at it.  Keep at it!  

"Be still, and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10

It's Ok...

I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic lately.  So often in life we compare ourselves to others.  We compare ourselves in every way…material possessions, beauty, intelligence, physical fitness, Godliness, etc.  I think when you are someone who struggles with mental illness, you often wonder why you have to be the way you are.  If only you were physically healthier..if only you were able to cope with what it seems like everyone else can cope with…if only you didn’t have to deal with the things you are dealing with…life would be so much better.  I just want to say…it’s ok to be you.  

Yes, living with depression, anxiety, OCD, any number of mental health struggles are definitely a challenge and yes, it would be so much easier to live life without them.  However, you were made the way you were for a reason.  We all have struggles in our lives, no one is excluded from that.  There is pain and suffering here on earth and I so long for the day when that is no more.  But today…we are here…I am here.  And I am me..and that is ok.  

No, I’m not like everyone else.  I work part-time because I need the time off to recover from the time I spent working.  Not everyone understands this and I deal with other people’s confusion over that alot.  I get stress headaches sometimes after being out with people all day.  When I have a busy day, I need time at home by myself to recover.  I can’t always do everything I set out to do in a day because my body or my mind won’t let me.  I can’t tell you how often I am extremely frustrated by this.  But you know what, I think this lifelong struggle is good for me.  It teaches me to rest when I need it.  It teaches me self-care and the importance of saying, “No” to people when I need to.  But most of all, it teaches me to rely on God because I know that it is DAILY His strength that gets me through.  

On those days when I wake up and I already feel exhausted and my day just seems like it is looming ahead of me, I know that God will give me the strength, health and ability to accomplish what He has for me to do that day.  That does not mean that MY to do list always gets done.  Often what I had planned for the day does not work out.  I plan my steps but the Lord directs my path and for that I am so thankful.  He knows if I need to rest during the day.  He knows if I need to spend time with a certain person that day.  He knows all and I don’t.  He loves me and He loves me just the way I am.  If I compare to this person or that person, I will never measure up in every way.  That is a sure way to be discouraged and hopeless every day.  I am me with every flaw and every beauty and I can’t be anyone else.  

Lately, I have really been praying that each day I accomplish what God has set out for me that day.  I pray that what needs to be done will get done, and that I will have the energy and strength to do that.  I also pray that even though I have many goals and plans for the day that His ways are better and that every absolute MUST will be accomplished.  And if it isn’t accomplished then I guess it wasn’t meant for today.  And that’s ok!  God has really been showing me lately that usually everything that needs to be done gets done, it’s just not always in my timing.  Ahh the humility that brings.  

So my encouragement to you is this….BE YOU!  That is the best person you can be.  Don’t compare yourself to others.  Mental illness really isn’t fun, but everyone is struggling with something and be thankful that your struggle can cause you to rely more on the One who is in control, because even when you think you are in control, that is not the case, my friend.  Be kind to yourself.  Slow down.  Take a nap if you need to.  Recharge and make sure that you are able to do the really important things that God has planned for you to do that day.  He will give you the strength and energy to do what you need to.  He always has for me.  So remember whatever you feel like you are failing at today, be thankful you are you and know that it is all ok.  Being you is ok.  Actually even better than ok, you are the best thing you can be!  

Much love from someone who is constantly being reminded of this very same truth.  

Why My Weakness Has Accomplished More Than My Strength

I think about this often-how I think God uses me most in my weaknesses and not in my strengths.  This is so backwards from the way we naturally think.  We view our weaknesses in a negative light which only makes sense.  However, I have found that it is in my hardest times or through my weakest moments that God chooses to use me most.  It is in those dark and painful times when I think I can’t go on and I have nothing to offer that God gives me his power and I am able to be used in ways that I could never have imagined. 

 I was thinking about this today…how I can’t wait until I’m at a different place in life, maybe more successful, maybe when I have it more together, maybe when I have more to give in life, then God can really use me.  Right after I thought that, I felt God reminding me that even in the hardest year of my life, I have seen him work in so many more ways than I ever thought possible.  When I felt sickest, he still brought people into my life who needed encouragement and he gave me the strength to be a friend and offer hope.  Surprisingly, it was often through my sickness and being open about my struggles that I was able to encourage most.  When I was most discouraged, He gave me strength to keep believing that He was good and that He did have a plan for this disappointment.  When we were suffering financially, He always provided for us, but he also always provided a way for us to give to others who needed what we had more. 

I can see that He doesn’t just use me when I have it all together, when I have lots of money to give away, when I feel great and have tons of time to spare.  No, in HIS strength, He enabled me to give when I was poor, sick and busy!  That being said, I am not as poor, as sick or as busy as many, many other people.  God has always blessed and provided, but this is how I was looking at my life compared to many other people around me.  He uses me where I am now IN my weakness and I would almost argue BECAUSE of my weakness.  No one can argue that it is Him working, it is Him accomplishing big things, it is Him being generous and sustaining, because I could never do that on my own where I am.  He is most glorified in me when I am weakest.  If I were strong and able and wealthy and had it all together, I could argue that it was me who was accomplishing great things.  Even though it is always God, He is the one who has given me all things and can just as easily take them all away. 

 I am so thankful that I can hope and trust in Him.  And I am so thankful that He is a God who chooses to use the broken and lowly and those who don’t have it all together…because I really don’t think there would be many people to choose from if He didn’t!  So let this encourage you…let God use you where you are- broken and insufficient, because honestly, that is what we all are, even if we don’t see it.  Don’t wait until you feel like you have it all together to serve and give and love, because you will never be there.  God gives us the strength and energy and grace to accomplish what He has for us at each and every season of our lives.  This current season has been a hard one for me, but I honestly wouldn’t change it for anything, because it has also been the richest, sweetest evidence of God’s love, His provision, and His glory in my life.  I pray that others have seen that in me and can point to God and say that it is only by His grace and work in me that it was possible.  To Him be all the glory.  

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on me.  That is why for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong…”

-2 Corinthians 12:8-10  

How An Attitude of Gratitude Can Change Your Whole Perspective

Thankfulness.

It’s something we often talk about but it doesn’t come naturally for us as humans.  For some people being thankful is easier than for others just based on what kind of personality you have.  Some people see the glass as half full while others see it as half empty.  But no matter who you are, there are times in life when it is hard to be thankful.  When things aren’t going the way you want them to, or you get so focused on other people’s lives and comparing your life to theirs, it is often hard to be thankful.  Especially in our culture where everyone posts the best of their lives on social media, we see the part that they want us to see.  We see who is getting married, who is having a baby, who is traveling where, what amazing jobs some people have, and we compare it to our lives and think about how far ahead everyone else is than us.  It’s so easy to compare and think everyone else has it better than we do.  I can often find that I feel so thankful or grateful for something in my life but then after looking at some of my friend’s lives, I wonder why I don’t have what they have.  

This is why I think that it’s so important to practice an attitude of gratitude everyday, sometimes multiple times a day.  Yes, there are always people who have more than us, but there are also always people who have less.  I think being thankful is so crucial for everyone but especially for people who struggle with mental illness.  It’s so easy to wake up and feel awful and just have one of those all around bad days, whether it be from anxiety, depression, or regular life circumstances.  However, I find when I’m having days like this, it’s so helpful to think of things that I’m thankful for and it often lifts my mood.  You may be having the worst day ever, but there is always something to be thankful for.  This isn’t to minimize how you are feeling or to say that nothing bad ever happens.  But even in the midst of the darkness and awful times, there is ALWAYS a sliver of light and hope.

  

For me, I have a personal relationship with Christ, and I know that He is good no matter what is happening.  I believe He has a purpose for all that happens in my life, good and bad.  I have had some pretty trying things happen in my life and have experienced real loss and pain, and I can honestly say that even in those times, there were always things that I could find to be thankful for.  God has always provided for me in so many ways.  

I remember when I was challenged to work on the area of thankfulness in my life and I decided to try to think of five things I was thankful for each day.  At first, it was hard and some days I really struggled to see what was good in the day.  However, the more that I did this, the more good I saw.  I was able to see little things throughout the day that lifted my spirits and that I could be thankful for.  For example, on days when I felt so sick and down and felt like I couldn’t bear any more, I was thankful for friends who were lifting me up in prayer.  I was thankful that for many years, I knew what health was and I often took it for granted.  I was thankful for the sun that shone that day.  I was thankful that I had food in the house to eat.  These are just a few examples, but as bad as things are, there are always rays of hope.  I promise you that.  And if you can’t see them at first, ask someone to help you see them.  We often are so blinded by our own pain and struggles that we need those around us who love and care for us to show them to us when we just can’t see them.  

I’ve consistently done this practice of thankfulness for several years now and I can say that it has changed me.  God has used it to make me more aware of how much I have to be thankful for and how much He has blessed me with.  His hope is there and He has always cared for me and has always been faithful.  This attitude of thankfulness has tuned my heart more to His grace and care and has become a form of worship where I thank Him for every good and perfect gift, because it all comes from Him.  

So my encouragement to you is to try to see the positive and to try to think of five or even three things to be thankful for each day.  Keep at it even when it is difficult.  I truly believe it will change your attitude and your mood.  I know it has for me.  And if you can’t think of anything to be thankful for, ask me and I will help you to think of something!  I promise you there is something there.  Keep hoping and be thankful, it will change you!   

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

You Are Not Alone

It’s been awhile since I have written a post and it’s been hanging over me for awhile.  I haven’t known what to write about or thought I had much worth sharing.  However, as it’s just been Bell’s annual Let’s Talk day, there has been a lot of talk surrounding mental health and a lot of people opening up about their struggles.  

I’m thankful that I am in a pretty good place right now mental health wise and that is encouraging for me.  However, I realize that for many people out there, right now is a really tough time.  This time of year with the lack of sunlight and the cold weather, the excitement of Christmas is over and the new year is well on it’s way, and we are all just waiting for the summer, waiting for school to be over- for reading week or March break, or just for a lift in our moods.  

I’ve definitely been there and I know that even as I say I am feeling well, it is only too easy for me to slip back into horrible anxiety and depressive moods.  I know some of you out there are really struggling and I just want to say, I’ve been there.  I know this season is rough and I know it feels like it will never end.  I understand just struggling to keep your head above water and it feels like each wave will push you under forever.  It’s hard to be hopeful, to believe that this will ever end or to think that you might experience happiness and freedom from this burden.  

My ultimate prayer for you is this….that you would know that you are loved.  Loved by the God of this universe who knows exactly how you are feeling.  He sees you and He is with you in the midst of this pain.  It may not feel like it, and I’ve often had to keep telling myself this truth over and over when I don’t feel it.  Because even when we don’t FEEL it, we must believe that it is true.  

Know that you are loved by so many others….family, friends.  Sometimes it seems like no one cares or understands you or what you are going through.  This is part of this illness.  It is isolating.  It causes us to withdraw and retreat.  That is the opposite of what we need.  So make yourself spend time with those who love you….those safe and trusted people.  Even if there are only one or two people that fit this part, keep those people close.  Do not push them away.  

Also, keep going…do not give up.  This life is worth living and I promise you, this is just a season.  While this season is painful and it does not seem like it will end, there is light at the end of this tunnel.  I have seen it.  Please don’t give up on life and in living your life.  Keep showing up to work if you can, keep pushing through school and giving it what energy you can.  Make sure you talk to your boss, coworkers, teachers, professors, etc.  Let them know what is going on, they can help and very often they are understanding.  While I firmly believe in doing your best, if your best is just showing up to work and making it through, or just getting by in school with passing grades, that is okay for the time being.  At least you didn’t give up and at least you did the best you could at this point.  

It’s so hard, but try your best to get some exercise, even if it is just a walk.  I know some fresh air and exercise usually help my mood when I’m feeling down.  Eat as healthily as you can and make sure to get what sleep you can.  All of this is so hard to do when you are feeling down but it all makes a big difference in your body and mood.  

And lastly, to those of you who are not struggling, but have friends or family who are, please do your best to understand and to be supportive.  That may mean not giving advice about what you don’t understand and just being there when your friend/family member needs you.  I know for me and for some of my friends, we call it praying one another through.  We are there for each other and we send texts of encouragement and reach out for prayer when we need it.  For some friends, this means I am texting them every day when they are going through these times.  This is a commitment and it takes strength and love to be there for people in this way, but it is so important.  To know that someone out there is praying for you and loves you and is thinking of you DAILY is so encouraging, and some days, it has been exactly what I needed.  

Be there for someone if they can’t get out of bed and just need someone to hang out and watch Netflix with.  Or maybe you need to force them to get out of bed and get out with you.  Take them for dinner or take them to a movie.  Sometimes I need to be forced when I feel I can’t do anything, but I usually feel better after.  Be sure to listen to the person who is struggling and do your best to figure out the line when you need to leave them be and when they might need to be forced to move!  

And once again, to those of you suffering…you are not alone.  So many others are suffering with this too so do not isolate yourself.  Open up and share with someone how you are feeling.  Allow yourself to be cared for.  Make sure it is a safe person, but I’m sure you will know who those are in your life.  There are also many counsellors who would be a wonderful help to you in this time.

REMEMBER, this is a season….I promise you that.  I have been so low I thought I would never feel joy again, but I have come out of it.  This has happened to me many times throughout my life and I know that there is hope.  There is light.  There are those who love you and care for you.  My prayer today is for you.  Please feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk to or someone to pray for you.  You are so loved!

“Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.”   Psalm 3:2-6

This is one of my favourite songs right now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y