I went to an amazing women's Bible study last summer, and when I was just cleaning I found my notes from one of the lessons. I'm reviewing them today because I'm finding them helpful to combat the butterflies I feel in my stomach now...
When you feel emotionally stressed, ask yourself:
1) What happened? What was the actual event that brought up these negative emotions?
2) What thoughts or images went through my mind? Is this a familiar thought or emotion?
3) What emotions do I feel? Is there a time in the past that is similar?
4) What is my unbelief? What am I not believing about God in this moment? Or what wrong thinking do I have about God?
5) What is the truth? What truth about God can I remember from scripture to help me combat my fear, doubt, anger, sadness, or anxiety?
To overcome overwhelming emotions, you must exchange the lies you might unconsciously believe for God's truth. A prayer like this is helpful:
Lord, I have wrongly believed______________. Thank you Christ for dying to forgive me for this. Please Holy Spirit, cause me to believe your truth that _______________.
Instead of being overwhelmed by your emotions or your situation, or being distracted and preoccupied by your stress, ask God what truth the difficult situation will reveal about His greatness.
Remember, God is not only good, he is GREAT. None of your problems could possibly be too big for him. Negative emotions strangle our joy in Christ.
Worry pulls tomorrow's clouds over today's sunshine.
It is important to use a process such as the one above, or a prayer journal, or some method to nip negativity in the bud before it blossoms into a full blown meltdown.
Ask God to bring to your mind specific verses that deal with the issue you are struggling with. Praise God for the truths He has shown you through each difficult circumstance. Thank Him for his abundant grace.
Life is about how you face circumstances, not what circumstances you face.
Nice notes, it's always hard dealing with butterflies and worry.
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