Have you ever had one of those mornings when you woke up in a great and enthusiastic mood and then all of a sudden, without warning, it all changed? What happened? The circumstances didn’t change at all so why did you feel different all of a sudden? Moods & Triggers!

Maybe you went to sleep feeling great but awoke feeling dread. Maybe you were having a great day, but someone walked by you and the whole atmosphere changed. What is the cause? Why does this happen?

I really had not planned on writing about this subject. Sometimes the Lord drops the title in my mind and then gives me the words as I begin to write. This is one of those times. Our moods can be affected by many different things. It can be physical such as something we eat or drink that can make us feel a different way. A cup of coffee or an energy drink has one effect while alcohol can have another. Some food can energize us and some food can slow us down. Certain people can walk by us and our mood can change simply based on our judgment of who they are or what we think they represent. Sometimes the person can have an angelic or demonic presence with them and it can rub off on us. Sometimes we have certain dreams at night that we might not be able to even remember, but it can affect our mood. So how can we keep from being like a yo-yo, bouncing back and forth with our emotions.

Life is about balance, not perfection. It is to be enjoyed and lived to its full. We don’t have to do this. We can get so caught up in work that we don’t even live at all. We can get caught up in things that don’t really matter and live a wasted life. It is up to each of us. It is a choice.

The biggest solution to the problem is being aware of what is going on around you and being sensitive to Holy Spirit. One thing we must do is start taking responsibility for what we eat and drink. There are additives in our foods that cause many type of ailments, disease and the weakening of our immune systems. We have a choice. Certain processed and prepared foods have ingredients that make us want more of particular types of foods or a higher quantity than we need. I am not saying that we have to change everything overnight, but then again if we simply start along a new path by making the choice, we will gradually get closer to our goal. My wife and I have gradually changed our diet over the last 14 years. We eat healthier today than we did back then. There are foods that we used to like that we no longer have a taste for anymore. We still eat some junk food every now and then. The real benefit we have seen is health. We simply don’t get sick and we don’t go to the doctor with the exception of a thyroid problem my wife has had for years.

The next thing that I’ve been working on are my judgments. It is amazing how many judgments we can make on a continual basis. Most of our judgments are made silently and go unnoticed until we are faced with a certain situation. The key here is to deal with judgments when we become aware that they are there and are hindering us. Ask the Lord’s forgiveness and if necessary, ask forgiveness from the one we have the judgment against.

The third thing that causes our mood changes can be a supernatural presence. This can be uplifting or total depression and fear. Here again, the major key here is recognition and sensitivity to what is going on around you. At some point we all will come face-to-face with a supernatural entity.

We can change our moods as quickly as they change with outside influences. It is mostly about choice and the Lord’s help. Have you ever encouraged someone who was depressed? Have you ever redirected a child when they were throwing a fit? We have the right and privilege to live above mediocrity, fear, depression, addiction, and everything else that would try to bring us down. So be encouraged today. Get rid of the triggers and start to live. Help others and you will feel better yourself. May the Lord bless you today. May you live your life in His presence.

Joseph James