Getting Off the Emotional Rollercoaster

It's a New Year!  A new start…and some things need to change for many Christian women.  If you claim Christ and a regenerated life, and you have gone through repentance and faith, then some things have to be new!  The look of Christ Himself should be seen in you! 

Yet, why are there so many "Christian women" who live their lives on the ups and downs of a daily emotional rollercoaster?  If they're up….they are really happy and up and everyone knows it!  But if they are down….they are so disagreeable cranky and depressed, that you might as well just stay out of their way for that day!   Pity the poor man who has to be yoked to such an unstable woman.   It's not a pretty sight.

Difficult and trying situations come to everyone.  Life is hard. There is no doubt about that, but for Christians who desire to walk in holiness….our reactions and responses should be much different.  We have an outlet…a power source that the rest of the world does not have!  We have been given clear direction and instruction for holy living and Christ like responses.  Are we taking heed to the instruction manual?  Are we living by the guidelines given in the Word of God? 

Paul gave exhortations to the Philippians in Philippians 4:3-8, for how to handle the hard things that come in life.  In each of these exhortations, I see where many who profess Christianity today fall so short.  Most---if not all of these exhortations are completely ignored or at best they are acted on only occasionally, for many women.  What a travesty!  Have we really earned the title of "Christian" (like Christ) with that kind of behavior?

Let's take a closer look:

The book of Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul and he was writing from a prison cell!   He was writing these exhortations from the very lap of
hardship and difficulty!  Look at what he had to say to these Philippian Christians…

Philippians 4:3:  Even in prison, Paul was concerned for someone else's welfare.  He said, "And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow
help those women which laboured with me in the gospel…."

How many times do you see a woman concerned for anyone else when she is in the middle of her own pity party?  It's an unusual sight to be sure!

Philippians 4:4: This clear command to rejoice is not given as an option.  "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."

In even hardship, Paul was finding that rejoicing in trials was much better than wallowing.  Learn to look on the bright side of things for a change!

Philippians 4:5: When a woman is on her emotional rollercoaster ride…moderation in anything flies out the window.  "Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand."  Moderation means, gentle, patient, fair or mild.   Moderation is seldom seen in a woman on a rollercoaster ride!  This is not good for a woman professing to be "like Christ".

Philippians 4:6:  "Be careful for nothing;…."  This speaks of being anxious or fretful.  We live in an anxious, fretful culture!  Facebook proves that to be true.  Gripes and complaints are commonplace, but should not be so for a Christian woman!  "but in every thing BY
PRAYER and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your
requests be made known unto God."

Here is the crux of the whole matter.  When a woman is propelled by her emotions, the last thing she seems to think about is prayer.  That is because thankfulness left before she climbed on the rollercoaster!  When a woman is unthankful, she believes that everything ultimately depends on her and with that unthankful spirit…her emotions can quickly take on a mind of their own.  She will forget all about asking God for help because her anxiety is what propels that rollercoaster ride.  Dear sister….STOP!  Remember whose child you are!  Rest and be quiet so that you can experience verse 7.

Philippians 6:7: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep  your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Paul learned this lesson in prison.   He is telling us that we too, can experience the peace of God if we will just stop being anxious
and go to prayer with a thankful heart, asking God for His help in our situation.

Finally, he puts in order every single thing we should know to live in peace, joy and contentment. 

Philippians 4:8- "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The key to staying off the emotional rollercoaster?

Think on these things!  Do you want to be a blessing to your husband, family and the other people in your life?  Then think God's way!  Be thankful! Pray!  Just doing these three things will establish a whole new perspective in you.


2010 can be a very happy year for you, in spite of any trials that may come your way.  To realize this kind of peace and joy…you must take heed to the Word of God.  Hold it to your heart and walk in its truth!  Let's do it!

Happy New Year my friends!