Thrive This Summer! Be Alert to Your Emotions
School is out. The sun is shining. Flowers are blooming. And, hopefully, you have plans for some fun times in the next few months.Now that we’ve finished the series Dare to DREAM, start watching for my weekly tips on how to Thrive This Summer. This series of spiritually encouraging keys to thrive will include classic ways to grow closer to Christ, plus some fresh ideas to spark your soul. Here’s the first key:
To Thrive: Be Alert to Your Emotions
Take courage, my soul… why be downcast?Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God!Psalm 42:5
Life Lessons
When Regina Brett of Ohio turned 50, she looked back over the years and wrote a list of 45 lessons life had taught her. Here’s just six of the 45 that relate to emotional health (my suggestions follow):
1. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Ask God to help you let go of your bitterness—you’ll feel a lot better! 
2. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and FAMILY will. Stay in touch. Pick up the phone. Send a text. Take a step toward them instead of waiting for them to contact you.
3. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Calm down. Understand people (including your spouse/friend) have different points of view. Accept it and move on.
4. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. See #1 above. If a memory brings tears and pain, get support and help from a spiritual friend or counselor. Don’t keep hoping it will vanish on its own—it won’t. Healing is God’s desire for you.
5. Frame every seeming disaster with these words, “In five years, will this matter?” Some things will still matter, but many won’t. Keep calm, pray for perspective, and, if possible, wait at least 24 hours before responding. Watch to see what God will do in the situation as you pray and trust.
6. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. Refuse to blame others, your circumstances, or God. Ask yourself: What can I do to improve my situation? How can I be proactive instead of reactive? What guidance does God have for me, and who can help me find it?
Let's Talk: Have any of these life-lessons made you think—and act! Let me know! (If you are an email subscriber and want to comment on the actual post, click here to visit the blog and leave a comment.)
This post is part of my Thrive This Summer series. Click here to view all the posts in this series.
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Poppy Smith
International speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coach
Inspiring Women to Thrive!
Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.
Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.