Stop Grumpy in his Tracks!

Last Sunday, I was listening to the pastor read Psalms 100, and I had a lightbulb moment.

Psalm 100:1-2 KJV
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

If I have a dark room, I don't try to push the darkness out or bat at it with a newspaper. No, I just walk over to the light switch and Woosh! The darkness disappears.

Likewise, if I want negative, whiney feelings to leave, I can't just wish that they'd leave. It won't work to just "stop" grumpiness.

Nope, pushing grumpy out doesn't work. But turning on the light does! I just have to open my mouth and make some joyful noise!

When I feel really down, it is hard to make that joyful noise. Here are some ideas; I have to start with the easiest and work my way to the hardest. I've discovered that I want to stop with the quiet things; it's hard to make that joyful noise. But if I do, Grumpy comes right back. Yuk!
I try to do most of the list to make good and sure that Mrs. Sour Grump has left town!


...read a children's story OUTLOUD, in which the character is excited. (maybe Pooh Bear, Roo, or Tigger). As you mimic his tone/words, your spirits will start to lift.

...Thank God for two things right now.

...take a 2-5 minute walk outside and thank God for everything beautiful that you can see.

...look at the sky and say, "God loves me".

...sigh with contentment (as much as you can possibly muster) and say, "i love being a mother/homemaker/wife (whichever hat you are wearing at the moment).

...smile as big as possible.

... clap your hands 3 times

...sing, "Put a smile on your face, put a smile on your face, don't let mr. frown come around."

...skip 3 steps. Do you remember how? :) Come on, you can do it!

...sing, "if you're happy and you know it say 'amen'. (shout AMEN!)

...laugh outloud for a full minute. For no reason. Granted, it feels ridiculous. It will become real 15 seconds into it because it feels sooo ridiculous!

...and just for good measure, shout, throw your arms in the air and twirl around!


Abraham Lincoln said, "People are as happy as they make up their mind to be."

Happiness is a choice! What are you going to choose?

When you are feeling grumpy

When I'm feeling out of sorts, I focus on myself:
"Nobody cares about me."
"Nothing goes right for me."
"I don't like myself when I snap at my loved ones."
"I should choose to be happy, but I don't feel like it."
"Pity poor me."

Are you getting the picture? It's all about me!

But! My study in Psalms 40 showed clearly where my focus ought to be.



Psalm 40:3-4 NLT He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.
Psalm 40:16 NLT, But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”.

Instead of trying to stop feeling grumpy, fill your thoughts with adoration of the Savior!

The morning after I wrote this post, I stumbled on these inspiring posts.
How to be a good mom on a bad day.
Breaking the negative cycle.

What do you do when you're grumpy?

Paige