Skip to main content

Overcoming Negative Emotions by Melissa Kee




The laughter coming from down the hall was making me so angry. How can people be laughing at a time like this? My thoughts were all over the place.  The onslaught of emotions crashed on me like a wave. In that moment I couldn’t catch my breath.  My fight, flight, or freeze response was kicking in, but instead I chose vulnerability and sent the text:

I am struggling today with feelings of panic, fear, and isolation. I don’t think they’re mine, but they’re pretty intense.  I’m on the verge of tears and every sound is making me jumpy.  It’s reminding me of when I suffered from PTSD.  The feelings are very similar. I’m not sharing with many people at this time.  Thank you.

In that moment when panic was washing over me, I knew I had the power of choice. I could only see two choices.  I could choose to fight through it on my own (which is a lie because the Lord is ALWAYS with me.) Or I could choose to be vulnerable and ask for help. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12.)

I received a text back from one of my friends with the advice to put on the trauma prayer and soak and to speak out loud the following Scriptures. “I declare and decree that I will not be anxious for anything. I refuse to carry the weight of fear and anxiety or agree with the lies of the enemy.  I choose to stand on the Word of God and walk in supernatural faith. The peace of God stands guard over my mind and heart. He will keep me safe.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV.)  “I come before You, Lord-totally undone and vulnerable. My load is too heavy for me, and I need you.  I choose to take Your yoke of peace and wisdom upon my shoulders and embrace your rest for my soul.”  (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). I had another text me that when something like this happens (the pandemic) it is hard. 

I was reminded that being a feeler is a gift and potentially this was the Lord inviting me to intercede for someone else.  Either way, I said this prayer: “The Lord rebuke you panic, fear, and anxiety. I repent for coming into agreement with you and break agreement with those emotions right now. I choose to align with the Kingdom of God, plead the blood of Jesus over myself, and choose to speak life and blessing over anyone being pummeled by these emotions.”  I began to pray for the names the Lord started dropping in my spirit and the wave disappeared. 

I encourage you this season if you are feeling a wave of emotions that, “He rules the swelling of the sea; When its waves rises, He will still them” (Psalm 89:9).  If you find your emotions are out of control, pause, take a deep breath, and ask the Lord how He wants you to respond.  When we choose to be vulnerable with God, ourselves, and others, it invites the Lord to be strong when we are weak and unlocks the power of Christ within. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).  Psalm 23 from The Passion Translation tells us that these are truths we know, “The Lord is our best friend.  We have more than enough. He offers a resting place. Fear will never conquer us. His authority is our strength and peace. The comfort of His love takes away fear.”

May the Lord bless you to find peace that surpasses all understanding as we draw near to the one who calls us His own. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Cara Dowdy

If you've ever met Cara Dowdy , you know that she epitomizes the word sweet.  Kind, caring and genuine, Cara has a heart for her family and others and loves use her gifts to bless others. Cara is married to Brenton who is the Associate Pastor of Worship at Beltway Park.  They have been married for five years and have a son, Josiah who is a year and a half and are expecting their second child soon.   One of their favorite past times as family is playing disc golf together in their free time. During the day, Cara is a stay at home mom with her son.  She also loves getting to volunteer at her former place of work, Pregnancy Resources of Abilene.  Cara has been gifted with the spiritual gifts of compassion, service, and encouragement.  She uses these gifts most effectively in her role at PRA once a week, counseling and praying with women who find themselves in crisis pregnancies.  Cara's extreme passion for LIFE is also a natural fit for her ro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beltway Women Volunteer Equipping Day

Beltway Women has a passion to reach every woman for Christ, and encourage them to connect with other women in genuine community and worship.  In order to do this…we need your help!  All women who are currently a part of the Beltway Women team (or women’s ministry) are encouraged to attend a Volunteer Equipping day on Saturday, January 18, 9-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel.  We will recast the vision of our women’s ministry, plan for 2014 calendar events, provide training for each individual team (hospitality, etc.), spend time in prayer and fellowship, and discuss ways that you can be involved.  Any woman interested in joining the Beltway Women team is welcome to attend…we would love to have you!!  Some of the activities and events we will be discussing are the spring RELEASED Retreat, Women’s Bible Studies, Women’s life groups, and the SHAPE Retreat.  I hope you will join us! Please register online here . Deadline for registration, especially children’s minist...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breakthrough by Audra Butler

I have been feeling some very strange and growing emotions since quarantine began.  I can’t define them. The only way to describe them are jumbled and cloudy.  It’s as if my mind and heart are growing cloudier with each day. I was texting back and forth last night with a dear sister (because that’s what you do in quarantine 😂 ).  Her texts to me were the exact feelings I had been experiencing.  It was confirmation that we were to start praying for breakthrough. I woke up early this morning and was so ready to sit in His presence, open His word, read what He had for me and hear His sweet voice.  But, when I looked outside, the sunrise caught me!  I immediately ran out to enjoy the pinks and oranges filling the sky.  Then, I turned the opposite way and I was in awe of the almost full moon and a Great Blue Heron sitting so majestically on the neighbor’s pier.  Our Creator’s beauty always outdoes itself and speaks an infinite amount of word...
Post a Comment
Read more