Soul Care: 5 Tips to Prevent Emotional Backflow

 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

Psalm 103:1-4

Dear Friends,

A Near Septic System Disaster

A few weeks ago I scheduled an appointment for our regular septic cleanout, and last Monday the big truck arrived to take care of the process. I ran home from the office to provide payment for the service, only to be informed that we had been negligent in cleaning the tank’s filter. This oversight had hindered the tank from draining efficiently into the leach field, putting us on the verge of a significant disaster. Thankfully, the timely cleanout had spared us from a major and unpleasant backflow.

As I considered this near disaster, I thought about how negative emotions can build up inside a person. Difficult experiences, unpleasant conversations, and complicated relationships can all contribute to overwhelming feelings. Some days, it feels like everything is wrong, and each step is weighed down by a load of bricks. Without the right intervention, these unpleasant emotions can spill over in negative ways. 

Soul Care is Crucial to Prevent Emotional Backflow

Just as it was imperative to clean our septic system filter, soul care is also crucial to manage negative emotions. If you are struggling with an overloaded internal tank, consider these options to reduce negative thoughts and provide a better outlook:

When your attitude is less than stellar, one of the best ways to shift your mindset and reframe your circumstances is to consider all your blessings. Engage in some soul searching and redirect your focus from your problems to the LORD. The Psalmist blessed the LORD from the depth of His being and recalled all the gifts that stemmed from his relationship with God. 

Some of God’s Benefits:

He forgives our sins. We do not have to carry guilt and shame over past failures. 

He heals all our diseases.

He redeems us from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion.

He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

These are all reasons to rejoice!

Practical Soul Care Suggestions:

Reframing our situation is a game-changer, but it may be challenging if we are struggling in other areas. Here are a few practical soul care suggestions to prevent emotional backflow and help you focus on God with a clear mind during stressful times.

1. Get Extra Sleep: When overwhelmed with the negative, a few hours of shut-eye can make all the difference. 
2. Spend time with some uplifting people: In this age of social media and remote learning and working from home we may need some literal face-to-face, heart-to-heart time with a trusted friend. 
3. Exercise and Eat Well: Good nutrition and regular exercise can keep stress at bay. Avoid junk food and stay hydrated to maintain your energy levels and mental clarity.
4. Have fun: Engage in activities that give you joy and make time for them in your schedule. 
5. Relax:. Turn off your devices, sit quietly, and meditate on God’s word. Pray for His perfect peace to calm your soul.

If left unaddressed, negative emotions can build and cause a huge problem for you and those around you. However, there are ways to alleviate the pressure and prevent an overflow. Take care of your physical body; this prepares your mind to think clearly, enabling you to reframe your situation, bless the Lord at all times, and focus on His amazing gifts. 

Soul maintenance, like septic system maintenance, is incredibly important! To prevent unpleasant backflow, faithfully schedule regular cleanouts for your tank and your soul! 

Love,

Mama

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