Anchoring in Truth: A Spiritual Approach to Emotional Stability

Using Prayer, Scripture, and Faith to Combat Negative Thought Patterns

Nov 21, 2024

Have you ever noticed how you can feel great one day or one minute in the day and then suddenly feel anxious, sad, or even angry the next? What allows or causes even small stuff to set us off?

It feels like we live on a roller coaster with unpredictable twists and turns, taking us from exhilarating highs to disheartening lows. Even our family has a problem dealing with us because they do not know what to expect. What can we do? Is there a solution?

Why the fluctuation?

There are biological reasons sometimes. I have cancer and no adrenal glands, so I have learned just how much my adrenal glands have to do with my moods. Even blood sugar, sleep quality, and many other things influence our feelings.

We also hold on to things that can cause us to ride the roller coaster. Could there be a root of bitterness, anger, or unmet expectations? Are we holding on to something that happened in the past, a failure, or something that happened to us?

All connected

I recently heard someone say that ‘motions determine emotions. ‘ This means that our actions and behaviors can significantly influence our feelings. Consider that what you feel may have much to do with your actions. Our thinking influences our feelings, and our feelings motivate our behavior. So there you have a vicious or wonderful cycle. How I act and my motions can affect my feelings. My feelings can affect my actions, so I must choose what to think and how to act.

Be your own boss. Tell yourself what to think. That is a Biblical perspective. Think on these things. A negative cycle can start over something minor and spiral into something mega-big.

So what are we to do? Start your day by praying yourself happy. Read the Bible and learn a truth for the day. Choose a thought for the day. Focus on that thought. Act on that thought.

I try to start each day by going through my reading or meditation and seeking:

Truth

Truth is a powerful anchor. I seek a Bible truth or a truth about God and how He loves me and let it be a governing thought of the day. This practice strengthens my spirit and guides my thoughts and actions throughout the day.

Trust

I then, by faith, tell God that I am going to trust or have confidence in Him to help me focus on and believe the truth.

Thanks

Then, I think of ways God has shown this truth in my life. Thank you springs from my heart for His work in my life.

Challenge yourself

It’s crucial to call ourselves out. As someone once said, we should learn to talk to ourselves like we would speak to our best friend. We are often our own worst critics, magnifying any lie and seeking to destroy ourselves. But we don’t have to be intent on self-harm. If our thinking or what we are saying to ourselves does not align with biblical truth, we can challenge the lie and bring it into captivity to the Lord. This is a powerful tool in our positive thinking and emotional well-being journey.

Question your basic thoughts. Where did they come from? Are they true, or is it an attack?

Catch it before it grows. Anticipate where you’re going and prevent problems before they arise. Ask yourself why you are going there; find the truth and replace the lie, the negative, with God’s word.

Possibly, something on this list can help you. Think through your life. See where you are going. I write this to help me more than you. God will give us victory, but we must stand up, walk in truth, and hold our shield of faith high.