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Goodbye Moodiness, Hello Joy!

October 15, 2013 cm-admin Inspire 0

14 Oct 2013 by Adeline Lum CM-

How many of you have developed the habit of being moody? Moodiness is the steady, comprehensive, and repetitive contemplation of negative details in our lives, which gives us a sense of entitlement or right to feel bad about ourselves.

Somehow, wallowing in self-pity feels good especially when we have good reasons that are usually caused by external events or people, i.e. bad traffic, rude clients, demanding employer, and unhelpful colleagues.

And while we contemplate on the situation, our self-righteousness increases with our anger, setting off more and more reason why other people are undeniably wrong.

Nevertheless, because the people who cause our moodiness usually do not know the anger that secretly simmers inside, their ignorance and cheerfulness make us even angrier because now, we want them to apologize or at least feel as sorry as we feel.

Well, the truth is that feeling moody is an individually felt emotion, which is hard to share with others unlike joy or sadness. In fact, a moody person often repels rather than attract people. Who would go up to a person and say, “Let me share your moodiness today.”

Hence, if we are often moody, I believe that it is time for us to change because being moody can quickly spiral into despair if left too long!

Proverbs 17:22b

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 25:28

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Secondly, being moody is a self-centered behavior, whereby our views are only fixed on our problem. But God has put it very clearly that Christians are to live beyond and above self. How can we do that? We can pray to ask God to help us trust Him that He is capable to take care of our problems. No problems are too big for God to solve!

Phil 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Thirdly, moodiness often causes us to move into isolation, which is quite unhealthy especially when we dwell in negativity for too long. “If God care, He would have done something to change the situation,” we may think. While God may do that, He is more interested of the change that happens inside of us. Negative events though unpleasant, mold our character to be more stable in rejoicing in Him no matter what happens in our life.

Nehemiah 8:10b

This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Fourthly, a moody person may underestimate his or her power of choice to change. But as children of God, we have a power of choice over our emotions. How many of us can feel a sense of moodiness arising before it overtakes us? Catch those negative thoughts and submit it to Christ. Overcome our emotions before they overcome us.

2 Tim 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Cor 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Phil 4:8-9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you