Self-awareness is a wonderful thing when it is operating in our lives, and in the lives of those around us. If we don’t understand what is going on in our inner world we can easily get caught out by our emotions, or the emotions of those around us.
Often when we are feeling grumpy or “losing it”over seemingly insignificant things there are underlying unresolved issues festering.
But the longer we leave things “festering”, the yuckier they get. Plus we can be really annoying to be around. God wants us to have peace and rest in our lives.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Here are some thoughts to help move those “grumpy feelings” and “irrational outbursts” out of your life:
1.Quiet time with Jesus – Spending time with Jesus, and allowing His word to wash through our hearts and minds helps us to keep our lives in balance. The Holy spirit reveals our hearts to us, and shines a spot light on anything we might have missed, or pushed aside. When we listen He will reveal.
2.Take a good look at yourself –One of the best things we can do is stop and take a good look at ourselves. To take the time to ask, “Why am I reacting, how am I feeling, has something happened recently that I need to process and work through?
3.Morning pages –The habit of writing down first thing in the morning 3 pages of whatever is on you mind down on paper. You’ll be surprised what morning pages reveals is going on in your heart and mind, and how often God has been speaking everyday.
4. Is there anything you want to say God? –When we are feeling misunderstood about something, when somebody misjudges us, when we are not sure what to do; when we feel unhappy or anxious, when we have gotten ourselves and our inner world into an angry, stressed, anxious muddle, the first thing we need to ask ourselves is, “Is there anything that God needs to speak to me about? “Does my heart condemn me?” Is my conscience bothering me about anything?”
If God is speaking about something in particular, or our hearts and conscience are bothering us; our first step is to acknowledge it, admit if we have done something wrong, and then confess it and give it over to God, asking for His forgiveness.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:19)
5. Do something fun, and relax-Do something to prosper your soul and enjoy your day. When we are relaxed we think and process things better and get perspective. “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” (3 John 1:2)
6. Sit down and talk –There is something about sitting down and having a good “heart to heart” with people who love and care about you that is vital for healthy relationships and understanding.
When we don’t do that, or others don’t take the time to do that with us, a whole world of trouble can erupt.
It’s why it’s worth making the time to build “heart to heart connections” with those in our world. If we or someone else is reacting or “acting out”, when we have taken the time to build strong heart connections, we can usually work through things a lot quicker.
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” (Galatians 6:2)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10)
Jesus knows that our lives are going to involve circumstances that may pressure and even annoy us. But He has a way to do life that enables us to live beyond the realms of how the world operates. (Galatians 5:16) The key is to listen to Him and have the wisdom to stop and check how we are going regularly.
Make a decision today to be both aware of what God is saying to you; and to be self and others aware too. If you are reacting, take some time to assess why? If others are “acting out”around you, don’t respond by reacting negatively. Perhaps find some time to have a “heart to heart” and find out what is really going on.
Prayer: Lord help me to be more aware of my inner world, and to hear when you are telling me things. I don’t want to go through life reacting and “losing it”. Forgive me where I have been doing that, and help me to live a more peace filled, joyful life. In Jesus Name Amen.
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