Your emotional health matters

A note inspired by 23^rd FMB Seminar held last August 26, 2013 at Philippines Evangelical Church- Pasig.

 “How is your emotional health?”

“Uhmmm..Fine. Doing well.” How about yours?”

Every one has their own stories. Every one exists for a reason and was created for a reason. Every one we meet will come out with their own baggage. Those could be packs of anger, anxiety, fear, resentment, rejection and other forms of negativity. Come to think of it, there are always the root causes of all of those. And that is our PAST experiences. As Rick Warren says on his book The Purpose Driven Life, “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.”

EXACTLY! There is no need to go through life handicapped by past experiences. To make this piece a little bit different than the usual, let me put in bullets my ideas on how to be victorious against all of your negative and damaged emotions.

Here we go…Let’s do the F.A.A.D! J

1.      Find your identity in Him.

Choose to accept and believe the Lord. Say this over and over to yourself. “I am a God-pleaser and not a man pleaser.” Your identity is no longer inclined with this world. When the world bragged about your past, lead them to the cross. Your past was crucified together with the rugged cross and you are no longer the old you. The old has gone, the new has come. You are no longer a prisoner; you’ve been set free by His blood.

2.      Ask for forgiveness.

Begin to kneel down and pray. Talk to God and ask for His forgiveness for allowing those hurtful emotions to hinder you. The next step is to deal with your offenses toward others and ask for their forgiveness. True healing demands that you address both sides: forgive yourself and forgive others. If we choose not to forgive, it will continue to hold us in bondage. There will be no room for peace and growth as long as you keep on resisting the feeling of forgiveness. Jesus Christ set us free. He forgave us of all our sins and gives us the grace and strength to lay down our hurts and trust Him to handle our situations.

3.      Always wear the shoes of others.

Be sensitive enough to feel what others feel. Dalai Lama says: “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” Always remember we are not the same. Because of this, we cannot avoid conflict not to arise. But if we will learn to be very careful the way we think, act and speak, conflict will be minimal. We cannot act preeminence against others knowing we got a higher degree than them or we have higher position or we are richer or prettier than them. We may excel in one way but definitely others have talents or skills that are better than us. We are created by God fairly and uniquely. And we are all not perfect! Never ever damn act as if you are.

4.      Don’t be bitter, instead be better.

Go back to my first point. Find again to where your identity belongs. Accept the fact that GOD is the only One who can change you. Never go to today’s war using your yesterday’s weapons. Past cannot be changed but you can still change the future. Be open for the changes and the renewal of yourself. Submit your ways and thoughts to Him. Let Him take control every bit that you have, from smallest to biggest element of your personality. Let go of yesterday’s troubles. Give every situation to God and when you do, do not worry about it. He’ll take care of it. Your childhood bad memories, the quarrelling of your parents, the broken promises and relationships, the darkest nightmare you’ve been through and other negative emotions can no longer be changed. But off course, time will come that you’ll be reminded, flashed back on your mind and haunted by those experiences you wished you never had. But don’t be bitter about your past. Lean unto God’s unending love, mercy and grace to make your present and future better.

Be healthy! Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life. (Proverbs 4:23). Don’t be paralyzed by your emotions. Choose to guard your feelings and actions. Choose to be healthy outside but most specially inside of your inmost being. Remember, your emotional health matters.

~Achuchu! That’s all folks! Thank you for taking time to read. Lengthy and wordy?! Blame my tangled thoughts. God bless every one.

Xoxo.

ycelah_1813

9/9/13