I've learned a lot over the last couple weeks, but I'm going to tell y'all something in particular that I know applies to everyone. I've been struggling with having really negative thoughts lately. Not suicidal or inappropriate really, just angry or bitter thoughts. These are still detrimental to our spiritual growth when left unchecked. We are not to listen or entertain these thoughts. Granted, it's not a sin to experience anger, sadness, disappointment, discouragement, but almost cancerous for us to hold onto these feelings. I've seen first hand this week what someone looks and acts like they hold onto these feelings and trust me guys, it's not pretty.
Something I read recently is that when we experience these extremes of emotions, it's important to give them some validation, we take a minute to feel that emotion, and then like a balloon, we must let them go. Take some deep breathes and let the Savior handle whatever caused you to feel this way. As we focus on the Savior and becoming more like Him and bringing peace into our lives, we can find joy. I know it. Life brings with it a roller coaster of experiences, and so it's ok to take a minute with a friend and do a breathing exercise. Sometime take a minute with a friend, stand up and face your friend, hold hands, look and each other in the eyes, and breathe deeply in while raising your hands, and then lower your hands on the slow exhale. Do this three times and you'll feel calm and less anxiety. I did this with a friend who was having a meltdown because of the stress going on at home. While I couldn't make the stress go away, I could help her feel more calm and in control.
A personal goal of mine is to focus on Christ whenever these bad thoughts come and to tell myself daily that I am enough and it is through my relationship with Christ that I can find peace, not through other people. I know the Lord gave us these coping mechanisms to help us feel ready for challenges ahead of us and I know that with prayer, scripture study, and focus, these things will make us better disciples of Jesus Christ. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
