stop running, start healing.

Are you constantly running until you are burnt out? Last year, I was running. Running on caffeine and stress. Running to keep up with my demanding schedule as my mind raced a million miles a minute. My racing mind was the antagonist I was running from. Step by step, mile by mile, I ran. I ran a marathon, until finally, I stopped to catch my breath. When I stopped running, I started resting. Resting led to rumination. Rumination, or thinking deeply and processing emotions, birthed healing.

Jesus himself experienced human emotions.

• Jesus wept. He feels our heartache and sees our tears. It is okay to mourn. It is okay to cry. Jesus wept over Lazarus’s death, but after Jesus wept, He brought Lazarus back to life. Instead of dwelling on His pity, He transformed it into life-giving power. We can be sad, but when we stay in a state of sadness, it brings forth depression. When we recognize Jesus has the power to bring life to dark places, we soar above the depths of depression on wings like eagles.

• Jesus turned tables. He burned with anger; although, in His anger, He did not sin. Anger can be a positive catalyst if we reorient the direction of our anger. Instead of lashing out at others while angry, allow your spark of anger to flame into a fire of passion. When your soul lights on fire, spark changes in people, processes, and the world. Anger compels you to do one of two things: use your rage to hurt others, or use your rage to promote change because you don’t want anyone to experience what you went through.

• Jesus was stressed out. If you feel like your to-do list is a million miles long, and you cannot stop running, remember He felt the way you do. The human brain processes stress in three parts: the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex. He was fully God, and fully human. He faced anxiety in these regions of His brain. He went through hematohidrosis, meaning He sweat drops of blood. Instead of focusing on what He could not control, He prayed. He endured physical and emotional pain but He trusted in God’s purpose.

Feeling emotional turmoil is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of mental strength. Jesus did not allow His emotions to control Him. Instead, He replaced lies with God’s truth.

Through these emotions, remind yourself:

Sadness:

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Even when my circumstances make me sad, I know there is a purpose through the pain. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Although I can not see how God is working through this, I trust in His plan to prosper, not harm me, and give me hope and a future.

Anger:

In my anger, I will not sin. Instead, I will convert my anger to passion. I will allow God to turn the tables of my heart and ignite a burning passion for Kingdom advancement within me. I will remember my true enemy is not an individual. My true enemy is Satan working through them.

Stress:

While I am stressed out, I will remember my purpose is far greater than a checkmark on my to-do list. I will not be remembered for the virtues on my resume but for the virtues on my eulogy. I will prioritize my relationship with Jesus and others over my routine. I will count every inconvenience as joy because I know God works through every moment.

I hope you will be still and know He is God. Don't allow your emotions to control you, but remember who is in control.