By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
The 1970’s were the golden years. Life was simple. It was a time when my biggest decisions had involved things like what to pack for lunch, who to hang out with, or what to wear.
Every once in a while a really big decision was on the line, a decision that could change the course of my life forever. Standing at the checkout counter of the local tourist shop in Florida, I was faced with one such dilemma. Should I or should I not spend the majority of my vacation money on a ring?
Removing the mystical piece of jewelry from its foam case, I held it up to the light. Even though it didn’t sparkle or shine, I knew the power it held—power to unlock the hidden sentiments of my heart.
Mood rings were all-the rave back then. The color-changing gems were said to have special powers, powers to expose the emotions within.
Placing the ring on my finger, the color began to change from black to yellow to green. With a simple glance at the color key, I was able to unlock the door to my true feelings inside.
- burgundy/pink – happy, romantic
- blue– calm, relaxed
- green– average, not much going on with you
- yellow/amber– tense, excited
- brown/gray– nervous, anxious
- black– cold temperature
If only it were that simple!
Perhaps you’ve noticed that we women have been both blessed and cursed (depending on how you look at it) with a wide range of emotions, encompassing varying levels of intensity.
Our emotions have been known to change on a dime. Peace turns to anxiety. Joy turns to sorrow. Confidence turns to uncertainty. A phone call. A news report. A diagnosis. A heartbreak. These can be game changers, pendulums that swing our mood into the opposite direction. No wonder the men in our lives walk on egg shells, waiting for the next expressive shoe to drop.
News flash to all the guys reading this post… If you are struggling to understand women’s emotions, you’re not alone. We are just as baffled. Peeling back the complex layers of our feelings can take some of us years to decipher.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m far too easily influenced by things around me. My roller coaster of emotions is a ride all too familiar. Thankfully, God has been helping me level out some of those peaks and valleys.
When chaos abounds?
“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.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
In times of sorrow?
“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. (James 1:2-4)
When anger has reached its boiling point?
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19)
When I view life’s highs and lows against the truth of God’s Word, I’m more stable.
The secret to understanding and managing my emotions is not found in a ring.
It’s found in a KING!
“… the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14)
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
