Hello Ladies! 

How are we all doing avoiding that Emotional Roller Coaster? I was just sitting down to a cup of hot chocolate before my bath and bed and I thought, "Jen, we always get bible lessons or sermons, but, where's the practical advice/tips on HOW to apply it?" Well, I don't have all the answers, but, I decided to sit down here at the PC and type out a few tried and true tips that have worked for me and others to help us to stay steady. I'd love to hear how any of you are doing also on this particular subject. 
In the future, I do intend to do some studies on being godly, "soldierous" wives. For you single ladies, this is helpful for a future spouse, or, maybe the L-rd has brought a married woman needing encouragement into your life. How many can give me an "amen" when I say the bulk of our amusement park adventures can be stemmed out of something that has to do with our husbands? In fact, relationships all together can cause us to realize just how much of a sinner we are, correct? I speak for myself as well. I remember I thought being a believer was so easy, till I got married!! LOL. Then I nearly thought it was impossible to ever be that gentle quiet spirited woman again after having children. Oh, the blessings we have in our lives, the ones we love the most, are indeed G-D's gift to us to produce godly character! 

So, we studied that we should learn to stay even keeled and not let our emotions rule us, but HOW? 

1) Read your bible/pray. In this prayer time take that thought captive unto the L-rd. Bring every feeling to Him, He can handle it, He made those feelings to exist in the first place. Don't be shy, there's nothing in your heart or mind He can't see anyway. 

2) Worship. Yep, even when you don't feel like it, start off with that sacrifice of Praise. 2 Chronicles I think chpt 20 (we may study this further down the road too) gives verses of the armies of Israel under Jehosophat. When he appointed praisers and worshipers to go out before the army, G-D sent ambushes on the enemies camp! When we praise and worship, Satan has to flee!! Again, don't be shy, do it in your living room, bedroom, etc. Our inhibitions towards expressing our love towards G-D are Satan's favorite "flaw" about us. Learn to lose the inhibitions and start praising our G-D. If you don't, the rocks will cry out! 

3) Learn to not take negative comments about yourself personally. I can't tell you how important this is ladies. If your husband, or even mother, father, sister, co-worker, etc. says negative things (different than constructive criticism-we all need help from each other) I mean if someone says, "your stupid, ugly, fat, you NEVER get it right, your sick, you make me feel _________" and so on, you get the point-well, first, you must forgive them. But, don't take it personally. Yes, I said that. I know the comment was directed towards you. I know there was no one else in the room, but, picture this, even if the comment came from a believer, the negative comment was not from G-D. There is a difference between discipline from our Heavenly Father and negative slander. Our Father would never speak to us that way. So, when your offending subject spews a bunch of ugly stuff out of their mouth about you, you can tell yourself, "ok, _____ is in his sinful flesh state at this time. I have moments when I'm in my flesh too, just as I have grace, he needs grace. I know that comment is not from the Holy Spirit that resides in him because my Father would never speak to me like that. I am royalty, I'm a daughter of the King. I am G-D's righteousness in Christ Jesus. I can forgive this." 

Yes, negative things hurt, and your feelings are very real and they are important. Take them to the throne. Elisabeth Elliot says, "do you go to the throne or to the phone?" If you pick up the phone for that moral support, you will possibly engage another sister in anger for you, even if it is righteous anger, and justifiable, I've learned that I sow seeds of sin when I'm causing a sister to loose her peace for my sake. I'm now responsible for spreading that sin. I want to be heard. I want to be justified. I want to hear someone else say, "yes, Jennifer, you were treated unfairly" But, my Father in Heaven already comforts all that. 

If I have gone to the throne, then I shouldn't need to go to the phone also. I must have the faith that once I've laid it at the foot of the cross it's taken care of, it is finished. Or, have you ever been on your face before the L-rd, confessing something, or bringing an injustice to Him, working through it, you get your peace, and then you say to yourself, "ok, I've talked to G-D first, now I can call Mary and share with her what's going on." Sure enough, we need prayer partners, but be on your guard. Ever feel the original feelings start to fester in your heart all over again as you tell Mary about your day? As you continue on and Mary catches the emotional train ride your on by the time you hang up your right back where you started! Sisters, we need to learn to look within ourselves and recognize the danger signs of our flesh ruling us. Sin isn't just doing "obvious" things, it is the very nature of my being that wants to struggle inside of me to be captain of my ship. Sin can be very subtle, and, just as punishable as the worst atrocious act we can think of. Sin is sin in G-D's eyes. There are no levels in measuring sin. 

In communicating with that friend/prayer partner, be watchful for her heart. Not only are you guarding your own, but guard hers also. You don't want to be accountable for sowing seeds that will lead to feelings she will have to confess later herself. It is true we need each other to lean on, and pray for that trustworthy friend if you don't have her. It's ok to cry with each other and bear one another's burdens, we are commanded to do so. I'm just saying practice forgiveness, practice reliance on the L-rd first, and, the emotional levels will tone down and you will be able to think more clearly and prevent the negative emotions from spreading like wild fire. Also, be aware of the fact that sometimes our flesh craves to feel "icky" Sometimes we want that "excuse" , which could be a very real thing that happened to us, but we may not relinquish it right away to the L-rd because we crave that ability to wallow in our own self pity. We have some pent up emotions inside of us that we need venting and, if something negative comes our way it's our perfect reasoning for letting it all out. Venting is good, healthy, and we should cry. Be aware when you are over doing it though. Seek your heart inwardly, discern when enough is enough. Try your heart and see if your hanging onto an event longer than the Father would have you too so that you have an excuse to cry, play victim, and gain others sympathies. 

I in no way intend to be harsh here and I have no one in particular in mind when writing this. I am speaking because I've been there, and, the Spirit of G-D knows what's in the heart of man......I too know, because I've seen my own heart. I expose it like this so that some one out there can benefit and also be more changed into His likeness, amen? 

Here are some other non-spiritual practical tips to help with emotions: 

*Do something outside at least 15 minutes a day, even if it's hanging laundry. Sunshine is a natural diffuser of depression. Tend your garden, drink tea on your porch, bird watch. Try to do this quietly and enjoy the atmosphere that the L-rd has given you. Thank Him for the day, even if a rainy one. 

*If you have that bad weather, sit in a window for several minutes to watch the wonder of His creation. Take these moments to contemplate on what's going on outdoors, and don't think of what has your emotions rolling. 

*Put on praise music or soft quiet music of your favorite style. Light some scented candles, bake a batch of cookies for you and the kids. 

*Don't eat too many cookies, and eat right. Avoid caffeine at the high emotional times and we all need chocolate!! Don't over indulge though. We tend to think a bucket of ice cream can be a comfort food, but then an hour later as your stomach feels bloated you start to sob that you "feel" fat, and then you look it too. It's a vicious cycle, don't get on it. 

*If you home school, forget lessons for a half hour and play! If your kids are in school, when they get home play w/ the kids. If your a grandparent, or single, borrow your grandchildren or friends children for an hour. Get on the floor and tickle, play a board game, whatever. Seeing the world through a child's eye can be quite fun and even funny. I've had some of my biggest laughs at what my children say or do. 

And lastly, again, spiritually, Give thanks in everything. Thank the L-rd for your trial. Ask Him what He wishes to teach you from it and ask Him to help you to be steady so that you may be a steward of the Word of G-D. Remember, whatever it is that you are emotional about, you WILL get through it! 

Bless you ladies, I love you all!