Regulate Your Emotions, please.

Did you know… you never have to feel insane again?

You can be sad, which is valid because life happens, and still be rational. Still at peace.

Well… you can.
I’m living it right now.

BACKGROUND

A month ago, I was emotionally struggling.
Frustrated. Drained. Angry, even.

I felt personally offended by my own life. I felt ignored by God. I felt like if I endured one more mishap, I would crack. And no one wants to see that. Trust me.

As the eldest of three, and the daughter of a hardworking single mum, crying at home always guaranteed someone walking into my room asking me something. My necessary outbursts were constantly cut short.

Luckily, I drive.

So I got into my car and went wherever my mind took me. I climbed into the back seat and sobbed like a full crash-out toddler. It was messy. Eyes puffy. Around 10pm. I’m almost certain you could hear me from outside the car, and honestly, I didn’t care.

I stayed there until I had nothing left to say. No energy to cry some more.
I made sure God heard me.

Child-like faith, right?
Matthew 7:7, right?

I thought of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1 to 8. I wanted God to speak to me.

He did.

That same night, through my cousin, who reached out to me as soon as I got home. She unknowingly repeated back the exact prayers I had cried to God. Bar for bar. In obedience, she shared what the Holy Spirit had told her to tell me.

In short, He said:

“You got so used to Me blessing you that when I stopped, you did not know how to praise, pray, read My Word, or rest in My presence.”

INSTRUCTION

“Sit in My presence and seek My face.
Not for what I can give you, but because I am enough.”

THE APPROACH

1. I connected to my calling, making disciples

When you think about what brings you closer to Christ, whether that is sound, reading, community, or something else, the answer usually reveals something about your calling.

Your passion.
That pure thing that makes your heart feel giddy, eager, even heavy.

That is God highlighting His own heart in that moment, with you.

Speak to Him through that feeling. Connect with Him at your highs and your lows. Sit with it a few times a day.

2. I became sober-minded

I know it is hard, but practice silence and stillness.

Eating dinner? Leave the phone and TV alone.
Day out? Leave your headphones at home.

What about worship? For now, save it for quiet time, when it is genuine and led. Not used for distraction, entertainment, or even motivation.

Bored? Wonderful.

If God is enough, let Him be enough. Let Him show you.

If God is gentle, your mind cannot be attached to noise. You will start craving God even while watching a show, and that is where you want to be.

And let me be clear, this is not you fasting.
This is you creating a new lifestyle. A life that makes space for God to do His big one.

3. I read His Word and rested in His grace

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Nuff said.

Okay, kidding. But seriously.

The book does not even need to relate to your situation. You could be going through a breakup and be reading 2 Samuel. The point is this. When you read God’s Word, something is happening, whether you feel it or not.

That something is shaping your mind, heart, and soul.
But be engaged.

And I cannot stress this enough. There is no amount of doing that can pull you closer to God.

God is everything. You are not.
What you can do, God can do better.

So do not force pretty prayers. Do not half-focus through Scripture. Do not stack worship songs just to feel holier.

Grace.

God knows when you are bored. When you hate the song. When you have zoned out. So do not waste time pretending.

In everything, be genuine. Don’t do it because you have to, do it because you need to.

RESULTS

You tell me :)

I trust God will sit with you when you sit with Him.

The lesson? When your emotions feel intense, drop everything. Go to God. Stay until you’re regulated. You are His baby girl.

Please, rest in Him, especially when you’re weary. Without guilt.

A CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK

Every day this week, pull away from what’s fun - just to be with God. Like Jesus often did.

Pull away for an hour of silence.
No overload of worship music, unless you’re led to.
Sing a cappella instead.
Make your own song to Him.

Practice 1, 2, and 3 daily.

Expect slower days. You might feel less productive at first. Like you’re wasting time. But ask yourself: how could seeking God’s face ever be a waste of time?

You’re regulating your system. Grace.

God knows. And God is asking you to walk, skip, and breathe at His pace.

Until next time,

Love,

Jay ★