Let Others Know!

If this is a tough time for you either physically or emotionally, let others know ahead that you will be doing less for awhile. People are usually a lot more understanding than we give them credit for, and they will appreciate your being up-front about your situation. It will also help them admit their own need when stressful times come into their lives.

Seek God´s Wisdom

Perhaps you need to make new spiritual goals or renew old ones. Asking God´s help was the first part of my own plan. Memorizing scripture was another key. When tempted to give in to despair, a verse would come to my aid. I suffered much of my depression not knowing what was wrong. I´m glad I did get both medical and psychological help. However, other things were going on in my life and God´s word at times was all that kept me going. (See tips under "Memorizing Scripture.")

Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Be Determined

Every day you have a choice. You can decide to view life negatively or you can embrace life with all its variants. We shouldn´t expect every day to be a "smooth sailing" one. Some days are tougher than others, but we always have a choice on how we will face it. We also need to give ourselves "an attitude adjustment" every now and then.

Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Keeping Track of Time

"Where has the day gone?" We´ve all asked ourselves that question. You can keep track of how fast time is passing by using a timer throughout the day -- especially helpful when working on a computer when hours seem to go by in only minutes!

No Fair Complaining

Just when I think I know it all, someone comes along with a wealth of new knowledge. We make a big mistake every time we compare ourselves with others, either to think we know more, or to think that we know less. "Everyone is ignorant -- only on different subjects." -- Unknown

2 Cor. 10:12, "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Some Negatives Are Positive

Emotions are meant to help us, even when they are negative in nature. For example, depression is a sad feeling that doesn´t go away. Though it is usually associated with some kind of loss or tragedy in life, it could also be a symptom of a physical illness such as diabetes, or perhaps it´s a result of burnout. There could also be hidden sin (by ourselves or another) that our emotions are trying to get us to face, maybe something that happened a long time ago but was never resolved. Bitterness, for instance, is an emotion that can cause physical illness but would be almost impossible for a regular physician to detect.

Psalm 139:23,"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts."

2. Promise Cards

My personal "Rainy-Day Depression Kit" for short-term depression includes:

Cards on which I have written favorite Bible verse promises like, "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength..." (Isa. 40:31) and "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Tim. 1:7) These verses give me strength when I remember that nothing ever happens without God´s knowledge and He always keeps his promises. When reading my Bible, I write down verses I come across that help me personally and put them in my "kit" for later. For example, Matthew 6 has several verses that always help dispel any financial anxiety I might be going through.

*Self-Caused Emotional Problems

You have decided to get better and you´ve had a physical checkup. You´ve perhaps had a brain scan to rule out a tumor, and maybe you´ve even gone to a psychiatrist and/or therapist. You may have tried several medications before finding one that helped. Okay, you do feel better now, but something is still wrong and the doctors can´t find out what. If that is your case, perhaps it´s time to look deeper inside for an answer.

Psalm 139:23-24. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

The Real Tragedy

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the Light. -- Unknown

John 3:19; 8:12, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Why Are You Crying?

Finding the cause of negative emotions isn´t always easy, but it is well worth it! Why are you having crying spells so often? Are you just having a "blue" day -- or are you suffering from true (clinical) depression? Is your lethargy and sluggishness caused by laziness, coming from allergies, or are you experiencing a thyroid problem? Having a thorough physical checkup is a good place to start your quest. In addition, you need God´s wisdom to make decisions concerning your problem once you have found the true reason.


James 1:5," If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Balance

Balance and control are necessary for good emotional health. When our emotions are out of sync, we can´t do and be our best. Our lives need a balance in all areas, including the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual. If one is out of balance, all the others are affected also.

3 John 1:2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

Homemade or Bought?

You don´t have to do a lot of baking for family get-togethers, though I know your heart yearns to. Everybody loves spaghetti, right? That´s what I served last Thanksgiving. My children and grandkids ate at home or with in-laws on Thanksgiving Day. By Friday, they were ready for a change from turkey. They truly enjoyed the simple meal of spaghetti, meat sauce, salad, yeast rolls, cake and tea -- and each family brought one of the items with them. How nice for me!

Self Pity

No one can afford the high cost of self pity and being miserable. We need to exercise our minds as regularly as we do our bodies. As the saying goes, "Garbage In, garbage out!"

Paul says, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Acts 24:16

How can we accomplish this seemingly impossible feat? By exercising the mind to think right thoughts:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
"whatsoever things are honest,
"whatsoever things are just,
"whatsoever things are pure,
"whatsoever things are lovely,
"whatsoever things are of good report;
"if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
"think on these things." Philippians 4:8

So breathe deeply -- and remember:

In with the right thoughts,
Out with the bad!
In with the right thoughts,
Out with the bad!

Admitting Our Weaknesses

Until we learn our emotional weaknesses, we won´t be able to strengthen those areas and will remain vulnerable to letting our emotions control us. Most of us mistakenly think we know ourselves -- until we unexpectedly encounter an emotion we didn´t think we were capable of displaying so avidly. We are shocked to find just how much hate or livid anger is lurking deep within us.

Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Verses for Strength

VERSES FOR STRENGTH

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philip. 4:13

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:29,31

*Friends Or Foes?*

Emotions are feelings that come from deep inside us. Positive emotions, like happiness and contentment, make us feel good. Examples of negative emotions are anger, sadness and fear. While we all want the "good feelings", it is inevitable that we sometimes experience negative ones, and that is not always bad. Our bodies, through our emotions, could be telling us that something is wrong -- and that can be a good thing.

Psalm 144:15, "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."

Is the Need Spiritual?

The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual are so closely linked that when one area is needy, all are affected. If you think you might have an unresolved spiritual need, you can go directly to God and his word for help. You don´t have to go through a preacher, minister or priest, though that might be good to do if you know one who is biblically sound. If you want to read some scriptures on a specific topic, but don´t know where in the Bible to find them, you will find several references listed under topics in your Bible´s concordance, if it is a good reference Bible. If you don´t find what you are looking for there, write me and I will do my best to help. A great little, inexpensive paperback book is "God´s Promises For Your Every Need." Another is "The Bible Promise Book." Both cost less than $5.00 and have more than 1,000 verses on many topics.

Hebrews 4:15-16, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Personalize Your Plan

There is a plan suited to your personal needs -- you just have to figure it out.. For example, you may have learned your mood swings are caused by diabetes. Your plan will be pretty much the diet the doctor orders, and possibly medication. If your medication isn´t working as well as you think it should, ask your doctor to prescribe another until you have the right one for your situation. Take whatever action is necessary for the healing of your emotions and body, and don´t depend solely on your doctor. Only you know what is working for you, and your doctor needs your feedback.

Psalm 119:99, "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation."