Emotional Thermostat
I believe one of the most powerful tools available for transformation is the daily recitation of scripture-based affirmations. (Positive, personalized scriptures) Why? Because affirmations reset your emotional thermostat. Let me explain. You know how a thermostat works, right? You set it to 70 degrees or whatever temperature feels most comfortable for you. Then when the temperature in the room reaches above or drops below that point, the air-conditioning/heating unit automatically kicks in to bring the room back to the selected temperature.
Our emotional thermostats are set at a very young age. If you grew up in a quiet, peaceful, loving home, your temperature is probably set around 68 degrees. Not too hot. Not too cold. That’s one of the reasons why people raised in Christian homes–and especially those whose families have been believers for generations–have very peaceful lives.
However, if you were raised in a non-believing home, especially if it was a home filled with chaos and conflict, your emotional thermostat is set around 85 degrees. Maybe even higher. And this is the key: when life cools down a bit, something inside of you will automatically kick in to raise the temperature. You will unconsciously look for ways to heat things up! To stir up trouble. To get that adrenaline rushing. You re-create the atmosphere that feels most familiar.
I did this constantly. If I didn’t have a crisis, I’d invent one. If I wasn’t embroiled in conflict with someone, I’d pick a fight. I was always poised for battle. As a result, I invariably managed to find a worthy opponent. If I didn’t have something at the moment to make me unhappy, I would look for something to be unhappy about.
I was continually in a state of turmoil, continually working myself into a frenzy, but God has clearly called me–just as He has called you–to reset the thermostat to a peaceful temperature. He has called us to quietness and rest.
In the next few days, pay attention to your emotional thermostat. Do you try to cool things down when life heats up…or do you throw fuel on the fire? Notice your response to people and circumstances. What temperature is your thermostat set to and at what age do you think it was set?
God has provided a tool to help: meditating on His Word and making it personal.
Blessings
Donna Partow
You’ll find affirmations incorporated into Becoming the Woman I Want To Be and Becoming the Woman God Wants Me To Be.
