Regulate

As I was buried under several blankets yesterday, cozying up on my couch until my menopausal body kicked them off like an untamed stallion, I thought about our body's "miraculous" ability to regulate our internal thermometer.

If you are a woman of my age, you know the fun of heating up in seconds until sweat drips attractively down your back, followed immediately by being chilled to the bone and needing a sweater.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, consider yourself extremely blessed.

Our body's ability to regulate its temperature, despite the elements of the outside environment, is part of God's design for most warm-blooded creatures.

On the contrary, those cold-blooded creatures are thermoconformers, absorbing the temperature of the environment they find themselves in.

I'm not just sharing this scientific wisdom with you for fun; I have a point here, or at least I hope I do.

What about our mental "temperature" control?

It seems to me that some of us can thermoregulate and maintain a healthy mental state (peace) despite the external environment, while others fluctuate and thermoconform (chaos) to what's happening around them.

As I contemplated this deep thought whilst cooling off on the couch, I came to the realization that, when it comes to my mental state, I might be more of a thermoconformer.

This may be because I'm highly intuitive and empathic.

It could have something to do with a dysfunctional, chaos-filled childhood.

Or, it may be because I'm a slowly recovering people pleaser.

Perhaps it's because, in an effort to keep myself and everyone I love safe, I try to control everyone and everything.

Regardless of the reasons, I do not recommend mental thermal conforming for any warm or cold-blooded peeps out there.

If you think menopause is a roller coaster, imagine the mental chaos that occurs when your peace and equilibrium are dependent upon what is happening around you.

Exhausting.

If, like me, you find yourself on the thermoconforming side of the spectrum, I am here to affirm your efforts to help.

I'm also here to say, quite firmly, that your efforts, while honorable, are not working.

They are hurting you and may even be preventing others from regulating themselves.

Great. another thing to work on as we follow forward.

Lame, I know.

Let's see what God can offer to help us improve our ability to regulate ourselves despite what is happening around us.

Right this minute, cross your arms over your chest and put your hands on your shoulders. Now give yourself a big hug.

Remain in this hugging state as you imagine your body, mind, and spirit as your only sphere of influence.

At this moment, anything that lies beyond the layer of your skin has no impact on you.

The only thing in this sphere that influences you is God.

Imagine God pouring his love and protection on the top of your head.  

Visualize God's love coating and soothing you, from your head down to your little toesies, regulating every thought of worry, fear, and dread.

Picture God holding you as you hug yourself, whispering His blessed assurance into your ear.

Imagine His healing flowing through every part of your body, enabling every cell to operate at maximum capacity.

Listen to God's voice commanding your mind to be quiet and only hear His voice, which removes the clenches of control and calms anxiety and panic.

Feel the Holy Spirit revive your faith and trust, knowing that God can and He will; just watch Him.

Take as long as you need, I’m in no hurry.

The God of Peace is with you here and now to help regulate your body, mind, and spirit.

When you are overly focused on what they are thinking or doing, regulate.

When your mind is obsessing and fretting, regulate.

When the enemy is whispering defeating nonsense, regulate.

When you cling for control, regulate.

When you are heated up or feeling frozen, regulate.

When you want to do the work for others, imagine them in a regulation hug. Notice - you are NOT in the sphere of influence.

Yeah, I know. Ouchie.

I love the idea of a regulation hug and the thought that God can bring me peace despite the chaos that swirls around me.

I'm going to start doing this. - alot.

If you see me walking around like I'm in an invisible straight jacket, now you'll know why.

I'd wear a real one, but I'd probably get too hot, and it would be hard to get out of quickly.

1 Corinthians 10: 12-13

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Philippians 4: 6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Psalm 23: 1-6

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflow.