I Can't Get Up But I Know I Have To

Have you ever woken up, immediately sad about having to get out of bed? Some days you just want to stay in and sleep, not because you’re lazy or tired, but because you don’t have enough energy. There are certain periods in my life when that is my normal.

So what gets me eventually out of bed? I think of the things I’ve committed to, the responsibilities I have, and people who are counting on me. I think of the things I might miss out on. I think of my well-being and ask: Will staying in bed help me recover from whatever bout of melancholia or depression I’m currently in? Or will it only further my sadness?

There are days when I find myself taking a bath and going out, in spite of what I’m feeling. If it’s that kind of day for you, congratulations! That’s a big deal.

But there are also days when I can’t bring myself to get up. If it’s that’s kind of day for you, that’s okay too. Give yourself the space to grieve or heal or rest, and pray. Try again tomorrow. The important thing is that you keep on trying.

Whether or not you get out of bed, there is a God who will not leave you. A God that will love you even if you can’t bring yourself to go to work or school. A God who will give you strength when you feel like you don’t have the energy to live life. Trust that He knows what you need on that day, whether you’re in bed or out of it.

(This is one of the entries from a book that I co-authored with Isa Garcia and Janina Rivera, Dawns: A Weekly Devotional for Self-Care and Spiritual Growth)