So it's day 4 of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 and so here is blog post number 4! I have to say, blogging everyday this week has actually been very enjoyable and also quite therapeutic for me. I also feel great because I've managed to keep the discipline and actually post everyday like I said I would. Last night, after an anxious stream of thoughts and submitting them to God in prayer before I went to bed, I woke up to the sound of music. No, I'm not referring to the movie although thinking about it now, waking up to the movie would be quite nice too 😊. Anyway, what I mean is that I had a quick music session before my meetings started for the day and it really set a great tone for my day.
Music has a very powerful impact on our mind, soul, and spirit and the right music can do wonders. There is so much to be said about music but I'm sure we can all relate to one thing; one days when we don't feel the best, music can sometimes help us express and let out what we feel inside. Music can definitely soothe anxiety and I have found, in my experience, worship music in particular has usually led to some form of release from anxiety for a period of time.Scientists have found that music actually has an impact on how much stress hormones the body produces and music helps to relate cortisol and adrenaline which can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
In 1 Samuel 16:23, we see that during moments of distress from the evil spirit, music healed Saul and made him feel better. Now, I'm not suggesting that we all have evil spirits sent by God to torment us but we can agree that we do have moments of distress when we are tormented by anxiety. Tormented is a strong word, I know, but the effects of anxiety can feel this way for some, depending on the severity. David was a skilled musician who had the annointing of God so whenever he played, the presence of God was felt and that's what music does. Godly music can lead us into the throne room of grace where we can worship our Father in heaven and offer up sacrifices of praise. I encourage you to seek out those songs from anointed artists who have music that can do this. Like I said, music is very powerful and spiritual so the wrong music can have the opposite effect and that's a separate topic for another day.
If you don't already have one, curate a playlist on your fave music app and have that ready to blast out and drive that anxiety away!