As I am writing this I am thinking about my afternoon. It was just a tough afternoon. I felt very overwhelmed and was just stressed out. With that being said, my emotions got bigger than planned and self-pity began to seep in. I got caught in my mess of the moment and let it rule over the bigger picture. I began to lose sight of my blessings and get swept away by feelings. I would love to say this was the only time I have done this, but I’d be lying. I would love to say I am always sensible, with a sense of calmness and that I always think level-headed. Though I strive to most of the time; there are times where wisdom falls to the wayside. I am a work in progress in that area, as I am well aware that I am very sensitive. Later this evening my husband and I heard of a family that was really struggling. Being told of their struggles in just a few short sentences, was enough to give me perspective. Not only did I feel horrible for this family, but I realized that there are worse things than what upset me today. I apologized to God for my self-pity. Friend, I don’t know if you too have found yourself in these predicaments, where you’ve got caught in your feelings and didn’t look at the bigger picture. Focused too much on the grievances and lost sight of all the blessings from God. If you have, will you join me in working on this? To focus on our blessings and go to God when our feelings are big and our emotions high? When we need His wisdom and guidance to help us through our little messes. As the evening rolls in and I write this, I am not dismissing the things that upset me, but I am not letting them rule me. For I know that God is good and He will see me through this. May our prayer be that God helps us with grace and love when our feelings are big, our emotions run high, and what we need most is His wisdom and guidance.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Proverbs 25:28 NIV

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Psalm 42:5 NIV

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.