Though feelings are fickle, they’re anything but fiction. And sometimes our feelings can flat out get the best of us. You’re nodding your head, aren’t you?
There’s no getting around the fact that feelings are just part of being human. Inescapable. But, feelings we experience on those very hard days can add up. Add up and take over!
Entertaining these hard-day kinds of emotions can often lead to detrimental consequences. Living with feelings like anger, fear, worry, and overwhelm, day in and day out, can really start to alter the way we think. They can make us act in a way we wouldn’t normally act, or do what we wouldn’t normally do.
When we give into these types of adverse feelings, allowing them to control us, we effectively give them permission to bore through into our very core. We permit them to take root and grow, altering our personality—changing who we are.
So how do we keep our heads above the waterline of this oozing, toxic sludge the world would have us drown in?
We remind ourselves of what is true.
We balance all of these overwhelming emotions with the Truth we extract from His Word.
We lay out all our broken-up, beaten-down, ticked-off, done-in feelings right next to His Truth. What we feel as truth is usually more fiction than fact, so if we’re to have victory over our feelings, we must balance those (and diffuse their authority) with God’s Word.
When we do, we not only get a glimpse of reality, we become centered and rooted in His Word. When we’re centered and deeply rooted in Him, harmful feelings are less likely to toss us about or turn us into something less than what He has planned for us to become.
May these 10 Scriptures be the start of striking a much-needed balance, no longer allowing your hard-day feelings to get the best of you:
Image Credit: Thinkstock/4maksym
1. Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
Father, though I feel beaten down and weary, the truth is you’re right there in the mess with me, and you will bind up my wounds and heal my heart. Help me remember your closeness and your goodness as I go through my day.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
2. Isaiah 40:31
When you feel so exhausted you can’t put one foot in front of the other, find rest in Isaiah 40:31.
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Lord, please strengthen me for the road ahead. Renew my strength, help me run this race of life and not grow too weary to keep going.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
3. 1 Peter 5:6-7
God really does care about you—every little thing—and he cares about how overwhelmed you feel. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says to take it ALL to Him in prayer.
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Lord, I confess that sometimes I try to be YOU- limitless and infinite, trying to do everything and meet every need. Forgive me for this. Help me know my limits. Here are the cares of my heart Lord-- will you take these burdens from me? Will you help me see how to move forward in a more healthy way?
Image Credit: Unsplash.com
4. Matthew 6:14-15
When we feel we’ve been mistreated, if left unchecked, that hurt can turn into hate, affecting our relationship with God. Here’s what Matthew 6:14-15 says how to handle being wronged.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Lord, help me forgive those who have wounded me. Thank you that no matter what the other person does, I know what I can do- forgive and move forward. Help me in that Lord, I can't do it without you.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
5. Isaiah 41:10
We all have times of great fear in our lives. It’s inevitable. The hard part is not allowing the fear to take control. May the reassuring words in Isaiah 41:10 comfort you when you find yourself feeling fearful.
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Oh Lord, what a wonderful promise you have for me, as I sit here fearful and dismayed. Please strengthen me, help me, uphold me with your righteous right hand!
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
6. Proverbs 20:22
When you’re red-hot angry, feelings of vengeance and retaliation aren’t usually far behind. Cling to Proverbs 20:22 to help extinguish the flame of fury, knowing that He fights for you.
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
Lord, help me settle down and have the wisdom, grace and patience to see this frustration through. Help me control my tongue and help me see the situation as you see it. Thank you Lord that all wrongs will be made right by you.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
7. Philippians 4:6-7
When you feel worried, let the beautiful words of Philippians 4:6-7 wash over you, knowing that He hears your prayers and offers peace.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Oh Lord, what sweet truth this is for me to read today. Thank you that we don't have to drum up peace on our own- that peace is ours for the taking because you are a God of peace and your Spirit is dwelling in us! Help me take everything to you in prayer and know without doubt that you have it all under control.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
8. John 3:16
Despite what the world would have you believe some days, John 3:16 says you ARE loved. Every day. All day. No matter how unloved or unlovable you feel, He loves you!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Lord, you love me! Me, in my sin and mess! Thank you for delighting to love me. Thank you that you gave up Jesus to save me. Thank you that I have everlasting life because of you! Hallelujah!
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
9. John 15:15
When you feel lonely and rejected, the truth is that He calls you friend. Read John 15:15 and have a heart-to-heart with your true companion.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Lord, I feel so lonely. I feel like no one sees me or understands or cares to know what I'm going through. It's so hard, Lord. But I know you see me. I know you are my friend, and you love me perfectly and tenderly. Help me draw great comfort from this, Lord, when waves of loneliness crash on my heart.
Image Credit: Unsplash.com
10. Proverbs 3:5-6
It sure is easy to feel confused in this world. How about giving yourself a break from trying to figure it all out by trusting God and making Proverbs 3:5-6 your daily mantra?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Truthfully Father, my emotions are all over the place. I know I can't trust my own understanding here... I know I don't see fully like you do. Help me. Direct me to where you want me to go. I will follow you - just show me the way! Thank you for your great love, O Lord! Be with me today, help me see my emotions for what they are - a temperature gauge, not a compass. Help me not rely on emotion to lead me, but lead me with your sure, unchanging hand. Thank you God for your love for me. Amen.
---
Writer by day, transcriber by night, Renee is a boy mom, PPD survivor, recovering fear-a-holic, and former educator. She lives on Christ and caffeine as she attempts to finally transcend mediocrity and live the life Jesus died for her to have. When not tied to her desktop and swimming in coffee, the native Floridian can be found wherever the water is salty, spending time with her son and husband of 15 years.
She’s a contributor to The Good Men Project, Crosswalk, and, most recently, The Washington Post. You can learn more about Renee’s journey and her passion for helping women find their worth in the Word, not the world, at The Stay@Home Scribe.
Image Credit: Thinkstock.com
Originally published Wednesday, 24 May 2017.
