The Roller-Coaster

OK; This is a bit of a cheat. I've just read this update from a friend of mine whose wife died about 8 months ago. As someone who experiences the emotional spectrum myself, it struck me in such a way that I just needed to tell someone, and you came straight to mind. Take from it what you will, but I'm hoping it might be helpful.

I know you may not be a follower of Jesus yourself, but have a read and a ponder anyway. You never know...

"I rode the "Manta" roller coaster at Seaworld recently. It went up, down, around, twisting us upside down and backwards multiple times. Emotionally that's how life has been the past 2 weeks (I've pretty well experienced the whole gamut of emotions while feeling I was being turned upside down and all around). This morning has been down, but earlier in the week I was up.

It occurred to me that how I feel and reality do not always correspond exactly. My emotions reflect aspects of my reality but don't necessarily reflect all of it. It's important for me to identify what I'm feeling, locate it's source and own it. They are after all my feelings. Nobody gave me a happy pill or a sad pill (I know that doctors can do that but let's not go there).

Ephesians 4:17 talks about how the unbelievers walk in the futility of their minds. That word futile jumped out at me and I looked it up: "Futile: incapable of producing any useful result." That really caught my attention because I started thinking about the downward, negative spiral my thinking and emotions sometimes goes on. How do you get off that roller coaster? I'm learning that self-pity, self-focus, self-indulgence are not the path to the exit! Rather my mind needs major renovation. Open up the windows of my mind and let in the light. Let Jesus shine in the darkness, gaze at Him and what he has done and what He says is true (Philippians 4:8-9) and right perspective returns. I think that is what Ephesians 4:20-24 is saying. Put off the twisting, upside down thinking and put on a new way of thinking by anchoring your line of sight on the one who created you and redeemed you. Thinking on these things, reflecting on what Jesus is saying through Paul here has already begun lifting me to higher ground. Lord, thank you for your presence, comfort, light and guiding hand.

I love riding roller coasters at theme parks, but I need to recognise the place to get off the emotional roller coasters of life and walk entrusting today to Him who loves and leads me faithfully forward. I wonder if you've been on any roller coasters in life lately? How did you get off?"

Unlike my friend, I have nothing to be self-pitying about, but still I choose to go there sometimes and allow myself to hang around in that futility. I'm praying that if this applies to you right now, you'll begin (or continue) to have your mind renewed and that you'll find a way through.