The Never Ending Gifts

It seems like I’ve been battling hormones all my adult life—first PMS and now menopause. These hormonal terrorists ambush my emotions when I least expect it, causing me to panic and over-react. My anger then escalates until I feel like I’ll explode. I fire off words that are better left unsaid, or hold my fuse and smolder inside. A rain of tears quickly follows. In the aftermath, these conquering troops confine me to a prison camp of moodiness and misery.

In the past, my tactic was to endure the torture until my sentence passed. In a matter of days, it always passed. In recent years, however, I’ve discovered that I’m not completely at the mercy of these rogue emotions. I can rebel and launch a counter attack.

My mind and will do have some control over my emotions. If I can force my thoughts in a more positive direction, my outlook improves. But on my own, I confess, I can only achieve limited success.

Lately I’ve uncovered a new secret weapon: my Lord, Jesus Christ. Now when emotions take me hostage, I turn to my Savior. With his help, I can offload some of my angst onto his strong shoulders. His counsel helps me sort out the facts in truer perspective. Transformation of thought sends a new platoon of positive feelings to the front line. Sometimes God also works in the hearts of those around me and rallies them to my side to console me or bring resolution.

In short, God is my battle plan in the war for my sanity and stability. The more time I spend in his presence, the less likely I am to become or stay agitated when my hormones attack. Since enlisting God’s help, the tide has turned. I’m experiencing less trauma and more peace.

We’re winning more battles, but still the war rages. Although it’s not easy, I’m glad I’m in this struggle because it reminds me to depend less on myself and more on God. In fact, I intend to take full advantage of my hormone imbalance by letting it push me closer and closer to Jesus, which is where I want to be.