Author: Abigail

Navigating Emotions and Grief: Waves by Blake Proehl as a Source of Hope

Abby shares a transformative walk where the song “Waves” by Blake Proehl resonates deeply. She experiences grief like crashing waves, finding comfort in prayer and the Bible. Believing in God’s plan, she navigates through life’s storms, finding solace in faith. This emotional release brings hope for the future amid life’s challenges.

I was out for a walk. I had my Airpods in with music blasting to drown out the outside noise, but I was focused on the game I was playing on my phone. A few songs had already played without me paying attention until a few words from one particular song caught my attention and stopped me in my tracks. “But I know these waves will crash over me, but I’ll have faith”. I instantly switched to the music app to see the song and view the lyrics. The song was “Waves” by Blake Proehl. As I read the lyrics, I was immediately brought to tears. I hit replay and gave myself a moment to get myself together because I was not the only person where I was.


Music does have a way of speaking to the soul. These past months have been rough for me. Waves. That is the perfect description to capture the whirlwind of emotions assaulting my body. There are days like today when everything seems normal, and then I get hit with a reminder, and everything comes crashing back. You know when you’re on a beach, standing in the ocean, and a big wave comes in and crashes into you? That is how some of my days are.


I have been deep in prayer and putting my trust and faith in God because I know this is all a part of my journey. He is preparing me for something good. Whenever I have these thoughts, a feeling of calm wraps me in its arms, and I am comforted in knowing that God has my back and means me well. However, this does not mean that all my worries are suddenly gone. As you can see from this post so far, I have moments where I feel defeated and lost, as if I am drowning. I tell myself that having these feelings is ok and give myself time to feel and process. In these moments, I rely heavily on my faith and pray that God will get me through. You see, in moments when we are most vulnerable, it is so easy for us to lash out and curse at God. The devil wants us to do that. I can’t allow him to distract me from God’s purpose for me. So, I pray.


“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. I try to remember this Bible verse in moments of doubt and confusion. God is my strength, and with His help, I will get through this season.


Grief comes in waves. It has its ups and downs, just like life. No one can put a timeline on when you should start to get over what you have been through. Like a ship on a stormy ocean, ride the waves until the storm passes. Through it all, remember that God is the vessel’s captain, and with Him at the helm, we can make it through any storm.


My walk today was more than just a routine activity; it was a profound reflection and emotional release. The song “Waves”, pierced through my distractions, echoing the tumultuous journey I’ve been on these past months. Life’s challenges often feel like relentless waves crashing over me, but in these moments of vulnerability, I find solace in my faith. Turning to prayer and scripture, anchors me, reminding me of God’s plans for my future. Though grief and hardship come in waves, I believe that with God as my guide, I will navigate through the stormy seas and find peace. Just as the waves are a part of the ocean, these trials are a part of my journey, shaping me and preparing me for the good ahead.


Until next time,
Abby

Conquering Dreadful Mental Images: Strategies for Relief

I think some, if not all of us, have an image that will forever be imprinted on our minds. An image that brings a sinking feeling within our stomachs. An image you can see as clear as day whether your eyes are opened or closed. An image that brings you complete dread. You know the one I am talking about, don’t you? You wish you could reach into your consciousness and snatch it from its contents. Erase it completely.


I didn’t think this would be my first post when I decided to take blogging seriously again, but here I am. The question is, how do you get rid of this image? How do you stop your mind from allowing it to slip into your consciousness when your defenses are down? I have some thoughts, although they have yet to be tried and proven by me, but I’ll be sure to provide an update.


It is believed that talking about the things that bother you will set you free. It helps to release all the pent-up emotions, and if you’re in a mindset to receive feedback, it just might help. Just thinking about mentioning this to my therapist is weighing me down. I can feel my body gearing up for fight/flight. And while she may not be the cure-all, she can help with getting to the root cause, which will allow this image to not have power over me.


Distraction is also an idea that pops into my mind. Doing things that keep the mind actively engaged and concentrating on other things is sure to prevent the wayward thoughts and that crippling image from popping up. Refocus.


This brings me to my next point: meditation. Meditation practices can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance emotional regulation. I have tried meditative techniques before, but my mind always refused to be quiet. They say it becomes easier with practice, though. I’ll give it another try.


I am no expert, and I am always open to feedback. We all have something that constantly burdens us. The most important thing to do is to give ourselves grace. Giving oneself grace involves practicing self-compassion and forgiveness. It’s about acknowledging that mistakes are part of learning and not overly critical of oneself. How we conquer these thoughts and take back our power will be freeing.


Until next time,
Abby