What strategies do I use to cope with negative feelings, you ask.

Negative feelings are going to occur because we are human. What helps me to cope is to first decide to no longer dwell on the negative feelings any further. Lingering puts me in a funk. It inhibits my ability to work, to sleep, and to do what I love. I am a notorious stresser. Yes, I do get angry, you’re just not around to see it. Jesus Christ got angry seeing inappropriate activities being done in a temple. Using that anger He drove the wrongdoers out. What we do with anger is what makes the difference.

What/ who helps me to not dwell on negative feelings? That is Jesus Christ. It is He who gives me the strength to not dwell. He knows the extent of my negativite nature.

Before I even ask in my distress and frustration He is already strategizing. He calms my breathing. He puts his hands on my forehead, steadying the throbbing veins in my head. I can’t see Him, but I imagine Him right in front of me with a look of empathy. I imagine him smiling. The sight of that smile would cause even the most rebellious person who is against Him to pause in their tracks and smile back. He might say to me, “I am listening. Keep talking.” After I continue I imagine Him saying, “Son, pick up the weapon that is your Bible. Look inside. You are not the only one with these pains. See what I can do? I see you’re lagging in the sabbath school lesson study. I keep telling you there may be something useful in for you during the week. Fill your ears with music of Me. You know it wraps around you like a hug. I know you also love to sing. Go ahead.

That is how I cope with negative feelings. How abou you?

Happy Sabbath!