How to Stop Feeling Bad and Start Enjoying LifeSample

Battling Soul Thieves

Soul Thieves—denial, inferiority, depression, shame and anger (with many others)—are diabolical emotions that erode mental and physical health.

Some emotional problems and addictions require professional intervention to assist in providing the path to joy and happiness. But you can begin to experience freedom as you allow God’s love to wash over your soul and you discover the steps that begin to unlock emotional healing and give you the soul power to defeat the thieves robbing you.

You have the ability to switch on positive emotions—love, hope, forgiveness, gratitude, kindness, joy, confidence and optimism. And you have the power to turn off the negative ones as well—those listed above along with anxiety, anger, resentment, guilt, jealousy, despair, fear and pessimism. The faucet that is turned on, positive or negative, determines your soul health.

If you find yourself drowning in the negative flow and being pushed downstream toward bad choices and decisions, if the feelings of defeat and discouragement are stealing your strength to fight, your peace and God’s promise for a hopeful future will seem an impossible dream.

How do you turn off the negative flow?

One, remember you have a seat at God’s table reserved just for you. You might feel that you need to fight for that seat, or prove you are special or significant enough to get it. Recognize those as thieves . . . lies that will rob you of the power to move forward.

Two, do not be afraid to call out your soul thieves. Call them by name. You are not the problem. You are not the battle. Naming soul thieves puts the blame where it belongs. Identifying the thieves is the first step in apprehending them. Naming them also opens up the faucet for the healing power of God to come rushing in.

Three, remind yourself that you are safe in the arms of God. His love will heal everything that has ever been broken. The healing happens as you are vulnerable before Him and walk in complete surrender. You are a precious child of God. He is deeply invested in you getting to know Him as He knows you.

In Him you are loved. You are accepted. You are significant. You are enough. You are you. And He loves you.

Prayer: Today I choose to rest, to sit at Your feet, Jesus. May Your grace and goodness work in my soul. You know me by the names you have for me. I am safe in Your loving arms. Thank You for setting me free from the soul thieves that have been at work and from the wrong labels that have defined and confined me—they had me trapped and immobilized, but they no longer do. I am so grateful that You are restoring me to the dignity, health and abundance that You destined for me. Amen.