Find Your Rhythm: Return to Healthy, Not to NormalSample

HEART — Emotional Health

Are you emotionally healthy? Peter Scazzero said it best when he said: “It is impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” Emotional health is easily passed in the pursuit of spiritual, mental and physical health, however, it underpins them all. When you are emotionally healthy, you lean into God and embrace a slower version of Christian living, believing God cares more about who you are than what you do.

Below are 3 simple practices to help you stay soft-hearted and emotionally healthy…

1. Cultivate A Gratitude Attitude — Cultivate a rhythm of thanksgiving and gratefulness in your heart. It could be as simple as thanking God for 5 things before starting your day, or sharing what you are grateful for with friends over dinner. Gratitude can help shift the trajectory of your day.

2. Forgive Quickly — It has been said that, “Unforgiveness is a poison you drink hoping the other person will die.” A rhythm of forgiveness ensures you keep short accounts and live long and happy. Take time daily to reflect on whether you’ve been hurt by someone or something they said/did/didn’t do, and ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to forgive them. It’s worth praying out loud: “God, I forgive ________ for ________ and ask that you would soften my heart toward them again. Amen.”

3. Confess Often — Hard-heartedness can build up quickly when you’ve hurt others but are too proud to confess your wrongs. Confessing your sins to God (and to others you trust) and asking to be forgiven is one of the most releasing things you can do. Find a regular rhythm of confession. It might look something like: “I’m sorry (person/God) for (an attitude/action), I’ve realised it wasn’t healthy. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”

When it comes to your heart, it’s important to create space for reflection. You could journal, talk to a friend, or just take a walk and think about it. Embracing healthy heart practices will help you continue to become a person of love, joy, and peace.