Your Emotional Health and Your Relationships

Your relationships are affected by your emotional health. The healthier you are emotionally the stronger your relationships will be with others. The best thing you can do for your spouse, family and loved ones is to take care of yourself. Here are some tips on how to take care of yourself so you can better care for others: 1. Your emotional health requires you to listen to your emotions – Even though you can’t afford to be controlled by your emotions they are often an indicator of how you are handling the stresses of life. If you find yourself experiencing an inordinate intensity of emotions (fear, anxiety, anger) or, if there is a particular emotion that seems to be dominating you, usually it is an indication that something is “out of joint” in how you are thinking and approaching your life and relationships. You may want to discuss with a close friend or your partner the emotions you are struggling with. Often times they will be able to help you identify where the emotions are coming from. Ultimately, it is what you are meditating on that determines your feelings. Your life will always move in the direction of your most dominate thought. The scripture says; “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” [Philippians 4:8-9] 2. Your emotional health requires that you withdraw - In the Bible we read, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” [Mark 6:31] Here we see that after an intense time of ministry, Jesus encouraged His disciples to take time to recharge and re-energize their hearts. In the same way, it is necessary to have a regular time where you withdraw from the demands of life in order to be with Him. It is in these times that you are able to allow His Spirit and Word to breathe new life and energy into your soul. 3. Your emotional health requires you only carry what is yours – It is easy to make the mistake of carrying responsibilities that aren’t yours. You are not responsible for everyone’s happiness. For example, just as you are responsible for your choices and attitudes it is the responsibility of others to choose their behavior and attitudes. It is exhausting to attempt to carry the weight of the responsibility of others, in addition to carrying the responsibility of your own life. Jesus says, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:29,30]