In this post, I wanted to give you some practical tools to help you anytime you’re feeling negative. Everyone at some point has experienced feeling completely overwhelmed by their own emotions. Life tends to pile up on top of us. But you know where it mostly piles up? In our minds. We refuel the fire of our emotions by overthinking. We replay scenarios in our heads over and over until we’re numb. We fear what might happen, or beat ourselves up over what did happen. We feel stressed over the things we didn’t accomplish. We replay what they did to us and how they did us wrong.  It’s all enough to drive a person insane. Maybe this is why we struggle so much with depression, anxiety, etc.
So, here’s what I want you to do. Now, this exercise is not meant to solve all your problems obviously but it will help to shift some of those negative emotions so you don’t feel so burdened.  I want you to get a piece of paper and a pen or a tablet if you prefer typing. I want you to write the date at the top then I want you to write a list of every negative emotion you’re feeling right now. Next, I want you to write this question, “What are the top 5 things that are contributing toward these emotions?” Then begin to list those things. For example, it could be your health or a relationship that is making you feel depressed. The key here is to try to identify what is making you feel bad. Think back to your recent thoughts that you may have been dwelling on. Next section I want you to write, “What are some positive things that I can do to help my situation so It does not continue to make me feel bad?” Then, leave a big space and I want you to do the same thing but with positive emotions. Maybe you don’t feel positive at all right now and that’s ok. Try this exercise anytime you’re feeling bad and the goal is to work through your emotions/feelings by understanding where they’re coming from so you can turn them around for your good.
Nobody likes feeling bad. Sometimes all it takes is a little effort on our part to feel better. We don’t always need another person to apologize or change. You have the power to make a change now. The reason I asked you to write the date at the top is that I want you to do this exercise regularly and look back on past entries to see consistencies in your emotions. Once you can learn to identify what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling it, you can begin to take your power back. You don’t have to be a victim of your emotions. You are powerful!

Let Go!

Psalm 46:20 says “Be still and know that I am God.” I want to encourage you wherever you are reading this right now to stop, take 3 massive deep breaths, and be still. Close your eyes, smile. Forget about your worries for just a minute and remember that there is a God who is alive and real who loves you. He made you, he knows your heart, he knows your thoughts, he knows every mistake you’ve made, every good deed you’ve done. He knows every obstacle you’re facing or ever will face. He has been there with you every step of the way leading up to this moment right now. He is in control. Although many try to say He’s not, the truth is, He is. I’m writing this post today simply to remind you to breathe, breathe deep, let go and know that if nothing else in your world feels certain, there is a God who is consistent and has promised that He will never leave you and He will never turn his back on you. I hope this gives you a sense of security knowing this.
I believe, sometimes He’s just waiting on us to just let go, give it all to him, and trust. Before I go, I want to encourage you as you’re being still and letting go, to talk to Him, yes Him…God. He’s listening. He wants to hear from you. Doesn’t have to be aloud but it certainly can be. Enjoy your time with Him. as you let go, rest in His presence and trust him. Lastly, I want to leave you with a gift. In John 14:27, Jesus was about to leave and go back to heaven. Before he did, he said to his friends, “I am leaving you with. a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Wow! I don’t know about you but I want this gift! It’s just as real and available to you today as it was way back then. And God wants it for you. So, let go and receive it.