Today I heard a quote by Mel Robbins, which got me thinking.
“How you’re feeling right now, is a function of what you see in the future.” — Mel Robbins
While I think there is some truth in this quote, it certainly isn’t the full picture, so please know as you read this there is more to feelings than simply making future goals.
Scripture tells us, that God will make known the way we should go. It also tells us where we can find joy.
“You will make known to me the path of life, in Your presence is fullness of joy in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11
I really appreciate much of what Mel Robbins shares, because, first, she is extremely practical. And honestly I think sometimes we just need someone to tell us something we can do that will make a difference. Second, she has a great way of boiling things down that can feel overwhelming. I very much appreciate that!
Emotions can be influenced by physical, mental, and spiritual things.
Now I’d like to add to the conversation about where feelings come from. As Mel mentioned in the quote above, our outlook on the future certainly can influence how we are feeling. In addition to this, I believe our feelings also can be indicators of more immediate things. These can include physical, mental, and spiritual things. For example in this post, I wrote about the some physical things such as dehydration, low blood sugar etc that can impact anxiety. Certainly our sleep or lack thereof can influence how we feel emotionally.
I want to encourage you that addressing any one of these areas can be helpful to you. So don’t allow the idea that these three can be involved to add to your overwhelm. Instead I’d suggest starting with whatever feels most do-able, knowing anything you do in these areas with the intent to serve yourself is likely to make a difference.
Can you offer yourself what you would a friend or a child?
Perhaps thinking about it from the vantage point of serving a friend, or a child might help also. If you had a friend who was distressed, would you grab them a cool cup of water, or warm cup of tea? Can you do the same for yourself. If you had a friend or saw a young child distressed would you be willing to simply hold them and say comforting things like “I’m here for you.” “It’s going to be ok.” Can you offer yourself the same? A phrase I say to myself on a regular basis right now is, simply …
I will be kind to myself today.
As simple as that phrase is, it has been powerful for me. As most of us are aware when we think about how we speak to ourselves, the tone can be quite harsh. I have been blessed to have two children, and anyone with more than one child who is able to speak, probably knows the feeling of having to remind one or both siblings to be kind to the other. Well, I’ve found that I needed to be reminded (or told for the first time) to be kind to myself. Can you set this intention also today – to be kind to yourself? It doesn’t have to mean you love everything you do, or that you are not open to making needed corrections. It simply means that you are committed to dealing with those things with kindness.
Following Jesus’ Model
There actually is a scripture that very much aligns with the Mel Robins quote I started this post with.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
Jesus when he was going through the worst experience of his life, he focused on joy that was to come later. So give yourself permission to see good things in the future, if right now is especially hard. If you need prayer – please feel free to reach out.