I woke up this morning in a state of “heavy.”

The last few weeks have been full of the heavy. Heavy issues to navigate. Heavy doctor reports. Heavy news reports. Heavy at work and heavy at home. Heavy in my family and heavy in the lives of those around us. Heavy when I wake and even heavy in my dreams.

Perhaps you can relate. There are days (weeks, years even) that just resonate with the heavy. It isn’t just the one heavy thing that fills your arms. It’s all the things, the big and the small, that press down on you, filling your mind with doubt and your soul with frustration. You try to stay focused, to choose to keep moving and believing, to do what is right and cling to what you know, but that heaviness just keep pushing.

And then you open your eyes one morning, your gaze fuzzy in the remnants of distorted dreams, and you just don’t feel like doing it again today.

That’s where I found myself this morning. And as I tried to burrow down deeper in the pit, that’s where the Lord found me, and whispered to my heart, “Do it anyway.”

Through all of the chaos that tried to cloud my mind, those three words rang louder with clarity and command- “Do it anyway.”

Don’t feel like getting out of bed?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like taking a shower and getting dressed?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like opening your Bible?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like talking to God?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like giving praise and thanksgiving?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like worshiping?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like enouraging another?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like smiling today?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like trusting?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like believing?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like hoping?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like forgiving?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like taking that step?
Do it anyway.

Don’t feel like putting the work in?
Do it anyway.

We don’t stop because of what we feel. Feelings are fickle. Don’t get me wrong- your feelings are valid and emotions are real, but they aren’t reliable! They change with every circumstance, while God changest not. He is the constant.

Yes, the tears may cloud your vision for a moment, but the vision He has given you is still there. Feel the feelings, but don’t let them pull you from your purpose. Stand back up, dust yourself off, and do it anyway.