“The only way to fight a feeling is with a feeling.” Rolin McCraty
I ran across this statement while reading One Thousand Gifts over the last two weeks. It stopped me in my tracks.
Feelings run so rampant these days. Look around our neighborhoods, schools, the television, etc. You’ll see feeling not only in word, but in action as well.
What if we were to truly live out the statement McCraty gives us? Replacing anger with love, disappointment with contentment, anxiety with peace, etc.
All feelings are a choice. When someone offends us we can choose to be angry and bitter, or to be merciful and forgiving. When we haven’t heard from our hubby we choose to be anxious or to be at peace.
Fighting isn’t typically something I encourage, but in this type of instance I believe it is perfectly placed.
How many times have we lost the fight to anger, hopelessness, depression, on and on the list goes.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to win those battles? To defeat the negativity input lives? To change our outlook on life?
My challenge to myself and you today is to FIGHT!
When those feelings well up within you, fighting to take control – fight back! Take time to pray, ask God strength for the battle before you! Be at peace for He is your strength, and He will not leave you alone in the battle!
Choose. The choice is yours.
Fight your negative feelings
Or
Allow them to defeat you.
12 comments
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Michelle
July 6, 2012 at 5:02 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
AMEN!!! Feelings are a choice. I can choose to be content and joyous in what I have been given or be bitter and jealous over what I don’t have. “Thank you for linking up today with your randomness.
simplyhelpinghim
July 6, 2012 at 5:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So true! It doesn’t “just happen” like some say, it is a choice! Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
Mary Beth
July 6, 2012 at 3:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
In counseling, we talked about the ABC with feelings. Activating event, Belief about the event, and then the consequential feeling. We can’t control the events all the time, but we can control what we believe about the even which in turn affects our feelings. For example, if my husband forgets to call when he leaves work, and can believe he doesn’t care about me and then feel upset and resentful. Or I can believe that he just had a busy day and forgot and be at peace.
Hope that makes sense! Great post encouraging us to Fight back and take control of our feelings!
Mary Beth
simplyhelpinghim
July 6, 2012 at 3:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That is does 😉 So very true. We tend to “blow things up” in our mind sometimes, in so doing making things worse than what they really are, then our feelings get the best of us! Thank you for stoppin by and sharing! Blessings friend!
homemaker-mom.com
July 6, 2012 at 11:43 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So right on the mark! I needed this reminder today 🙂
simplyhelpinghim
July 6, 2012 at 1:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
🙂 I needed it too this last week! Blessings friend!
Lynda
July 6, 2012 at 11:37 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I was washing the dishes by hand last night and sighed with disappointment because I’m not able to use the dishwasher. It was a struggle to capture that negative thought and turn it into a cheerful hum of the chorus to a popular hymn.
My “sighing” has become a very big problem that’s been dragging more than my spirit down. My son has started asking what’s wrong every time I consciously or subconsciously sigh.
Thank you for this post, and the reminder to capture every thought, feeling, and emotion… and FIGHT!!!
simplyhelpinghim
July 6, 2012 at 1:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s amazing what our children notice isn’t it? My kids can tell when I am getting teary eyed, and always are quick to ask if I’m ok. I try to remember that they see and hear everything, this helps me guide my words and actions more often. Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
Mary Beth
July 6, 2012 at 3:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think sighing is genetic in our family! We all do it! You hear a big sigh and we are all like, oh no what’s wrong?!
simplyhelpinghim
July 6, 2012 at 3:21 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lol….I cry….not just when things are sad…..I just cry…..
Sunflower Faith
July 6, 2012 at 9:11 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Fantastic and challenging post this Friday.
Feelings seem to drive so many things these days that its easy to get lost as well without realizing it and what an inspiring thought, on the other hand, fighting feelings with feeling.
When you shared, “All feelings are a choice. When someone offends us we can choose to be angry and bitter, or to be merciful and forgiving. When we haven’t heard from our hubby we choose to be anxious or to be at peace.”
If only we can remember that…I think its too easy to quickly react and in the process, make bad decisions, and forget….we are also in control in how we react. No one other than ourselves, makes that choice for us and we have to be able to step back and fight that feeling with as you shared, feelings, that are not reactionary but reflectively go…what do I choose.
Lol..not sure if that made sense.
simplyhelpinghim
July 6, 2012 at 9:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Feelings are just assumed to just be what they are! You just accept them and say that’s who someone is. I don’t agree, each of us can fight those feelings! It is a choice! Thank you for stoppin by and for sharing 😉 Blessings!