Taking the plunge

Have you ever had to talk yourself off a mental ledge?

It could be a ledge of anger, hurt, deep disappointment, discouragement or even selfishness. And you know what?  Sometimes our bodies are on the edge from exhaustion, illness, chemical or hormonal imbalances and such. Whatever the cause,  we can be right there on the emotional ledge and if we step off, we plunge mind first into a deep pool of that emotion. Can you relate?

When I take the plunge into deep emotional waters...

I can feel myself sinking deep into that emotion, but sometimes I am able to swim to the top (so to speak). I can then make my way out, shake off the emotions and move on.  Other times, it's harder and takes longer to make my way to the top, and it can feel as though I am getting ready to drown in that emotion.  Fighting hard to make my way to the top I climb out of that deep pool shaken and shivering and it takes me a while before I can move on. Still other times, the plunge is so deep, I'm in so over my head emotionally and find myself sinking deeper and deeper. During these times, I might get my head above the emotional waters for a minute, but then down I go.  Sometimes over and over again. Usually, someone has to come in and help me make my way to the top.  They offer me a word of truth or encouragement or pray for or over me. After being rescued, the thought of shaking off and moving on seems impossible because the emotional pool was filled with waters of discouragement, despair, and hopelessness. These emotions are powerful.

If you can relate at all, then you understand how our emotions can push us over a mental ledge, take us under and overwhelm us to the point we feel like we are drowning. But you know what?  We can learn to manage our emotions. Sure, we may still go over the edge from time to time, but if you want to find the tools and develop the life skills needed to mentally manage the emotional waters of life, then I think you might love my new book Self-Talk. This 8-Week, Bible-based self-help workbook will help you look for answers to questions you’ve never dared to ask; and in the process, you will discover insights that will help you manage your emotions. 

Self-Talk: Change your mind, change your life.