Living On Purpose In Christ | Journaling Prompts, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Affirmations, God's Peace

87 | Got Emotional Chaos? 5 Bible-Based Strategies for Restoring Balance

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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Ever feel like your emotions are running wild while your spiritual life suffers? You're not alone. That swirling internal chaos—when you can't focus during prayer, when you say things you regret, when past hurts and future fears collide—isn't a sign of spiritual failure. It's simply evidence that you're human.

The good news? Emotional chaos doesn't disqualify you from God's love or purpose. We can find lots of emotionally complex individuals in the Bible who walked closely with God: Elijah begging to die beneath a solitary tree, Hannah weeping bitterly in the temple, Peter overwhelmed by guilt after denying Jesus. Their stories remind us that emotions themselves aren't the problem—it's what we do with them that matters.

God designed your emotions as messengers, not masters. When overwhelm, anxiety, or anger arise, they're signaling something important about your needs, fears, beliefs, or boundaries. Learning to listen to these signals rather than being controlled by them is the heart of emotional balance. This podcast explores five powerful biblical strategies to restore this balance.

Additionally, whether you're struggling with establishing a meaningful devotional routine or battling the constant noise of negative thoughts, the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour offers personalized support to help you move from chaos to peace. Through scripture meditation, essential oil anointing, and practical spiritual rhythms tailored to your unique life, you'll discover how to bring your full emotional experience before God—just as Jesus did in Gethsemane—and find the peace that surpasses understanding. Ready to stop just surviving and start thriving in your faith? Visit paulabehrens.com/coaching and take the first step toward emotional balance and spiritual renewal today.

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Paula Behrens:

Are your emotions running the show, seeking ways to stay grounded when life feels chaotic? You're in the right place, because this podcast is specifically designed to be your guiding light, helping you to reconnect with God consistently, refocus on what truly matters, get your emotions back in check, and walk confidently in step with the Holy Spirit, not just today, but every day. Hey sister, I see you, but most importantly, God sees you. Funny story, when I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices. Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. I know you're tired. Tired of trying to keep your devotional routine that doesn't actually refresh your soul. Tired of starting over every Monday, telling yourself this week will be different. Tired of sitting with your Bible, distracted, wondering if you're even doing this right. Tired of feeling like your spiritual life is just another thing on your never ending to do list. Friend, I see you, I've been there too, and that's why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. You don't need to keep spinning your wheels. You need a spirit led routine that works with your life, not against it. Let's renew your quiet time with God. Book your personalized session today at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). It's time to stop just surviving and to start thriving in your faith. All right, let's get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Let's be real about emotional chaos. What does it really feel like and why does it happen? Sometimes it's not trauma with a big T that knocks you down. Most often, it's thousands of little stressors that creep in and take over, like that moment when you sit down to read your Bible and it's difficult to focus. You feel like you can't breathe. You say things you wished you hadn't to someone you love. You replay that comment from yesterday. You're juggling a to-do list, past regrets, tomorrow's fears and the constant nagging feeling that you're falling short. That, dear friend, is emotional chaos. It's like a swirling whirlwind inside our hearts and minds that makes us feel like we're just one unholy thought away from falling apart. But here's the truth, emotional chaos doesn't make you a bad Christian. It simply makes you a human who needs Jesus.

Paula Behrens:

The Bible is full of emotionally complex people: Elijah begging God to let him die under a tree, Hannah weeping bitterly in the temple, Peter overwhelmed by guilt as he claims that he doesn't know Jesus, not just once, but three times. You're not alone and you're not without help. Let's lay this foundation. Emotions are not the enemy. They are not masters, but they are messengers. God created you and me with emotions. Jesus himself experienced the full range: Joy, sorrow, anger, compassion, even anguish. The problem is when they control us, when they take the driver's seat. Proverbs, chapter 25, verse 28 says: Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. When we allow unchecked emotions to lead, we become defenseless and vulnerable, like a city without walls. But here's the good news. Self-control isn't solely reliant on you or your willpower. It's a fruit that comes through the indwelling Holy Spirit. That means balance is not about being super disciplined or emotionally numb. It's about being Spirit led.

Paula Behrens:

Your emotions are like little messengers alerting you that something deeper is going on. Emotions and feelings reveal your needs, your fears, your desires and your beliefs. They are simply signals. They are not commands, truths and certainly not identities. Let's say you're feeling overwhelmed. That emotion is telling you something. Maybe you've taken on more than you were meant to carry. Perhaps something has triggered a memory with a negative charge that no longer serves you well. Maybe you're trying to fix what only God can heal. When you begin to listen to your emotions and what they are saying, rather than being ruled by them, you step into the wisdom and balance God designed for you.

Paula Behrens:

So what does scripture say about emotional stability? Well, Isaiah 26: 3 says: You, O God, will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Peace doesn't simply show up in a calm life. It is a gift from God when you focus on His word and trust in His promises. Another powerful scripture is found in Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7, which says: Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the Peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When we surrender out anxiety to God through honest prayer and gratitude, he literally stands guard over our emotions and thoughts. And don't miss what comes next. Philippians 4: 8 instructs us to: Think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. This is not simply positive thinking. This is a deliberate focus on God as we turn every situation over to him, so that he can replace the noise of emotional chaos with a Peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Paula Behrens:

In Matthew, chapter 26, we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as he tells his disciples: My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. That's verse 38. So even Jesus, the Prince of Peace, felt crushed. He didn't pretend, though. He didn't suppress what he was feeling. He brought it fully into the presence of the Father. He wept, he prayed, he asked for a way out and then, and this is the key, he yielded. He said, Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Paula Behrens:

Balance doesn't mean you don't feel your emotions. It means you surrender them to the authority of God's will. Chaos around us does not have to become emotional chaos within us. So let's get practical. Here are five biblical strategies to calm the chaos and restore emotional balance.

Paula Behrens:

First, pause before you react. When emotions rise, we need to step outside the swirl and ask the Spirit to guide our response. Then we need to name what we're really feeling. So, instead of saying, I'm just stressed, go deeper and ask yourself, am I grieving, am I afraid of being rejected, am I resentful about something? Naming it allows you to invite God into it and be healed.

Paula Behrens:

The third point is to saturate your mind with scripture. When emotions lie and they do, the Word tells the truth. So create a list of scriptures to speak over your mind during chaotic periods. Fourth, invite the Holy Spirit to lead you. You don't have to manage emotional chaos alone. The Holy Spirit isn't just your comforter, he's also your internal counselor and he's your peace giver. So ask him daily to lead your emotional life, not just your behavior. And finally, rest intentionally. Busyness can fuel emotional chaos, so make rest a sacred rhythm, not laziness, soul rest-- rest in His word, rest in His good creation, rest with worship, rest with stillness.

Paula Behrens:

Here's the pattern I often see in women walking through emotional chaos. They say or maybe they're just thinking to themselves, I can't handle this, it's too much. No one understands. God must be disappointed in me. These thoughts become strongholds, fortified lies that bind us. And often there is a past memory that's triggering these negative thoughts. But scripture teaches us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. That means we don't just listen to thoughts, we confront them, we interrogate them, we hold them up against the light of Truth and refuse to let lies define us. Replacing lies with God's Truth is not a one-time fix, though. It's a daily declaration of faith. But what about those days when it feels like no amount of scripture, prayer or deep breathing helps, when balance feels impossible.

Paula Behrens:

Let's be honest emotional chaos is sometimes linked to deep wounds, trauma, life transitions or even physical exhaustion. This is where community and counsel comes in. God may use a Christian counselor, a pastor or even a spirit-filled friend to help you untangle the knots inside. That's not weakness, it's wisdom. In the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour, we address emotional chaos with intention and grace. Through the gentle power of Young Living Essential Oils, a guided technique and the healing presence of God, we tackle these strongholds together. From this transformative experience, a unique, positive affirmation is born, tailored to your journey. Then, with this newfound clarity, we craft a daily rhythm to keep you anchored in faith and aligned with your God-given purpose. Don't underestimate the power of anointing with oil and prayer. We see that in James, chapter 5, verse 14, which reminds us that both spiritual and physical healing are part of our inheritance in Christ. This approach empowers you to break free from the cycle of negative thinking, helping you to align your mind with the truth of who you are in Christ Jesus.

Paula Behrens:

Let's end with a time of guided scripture meditation. If you're in a safe place to do so, I invite you to close your eyes and breathe slowly as I read these verses over you. Psalm 46: 10 says: Be still and know that I am God. First Peter 5:7 says: Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. Exodus 14:14 says: The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still. Psalm 23: 3 promises: He restores my soul. And Psalm 27:1 proclaims: The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Let each verse sink in. Speak them aloud if you can. Let the word of God cut through the noise. Here they are again. Be still and know that I am God. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still. He restores my soul. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?

Paula Behrens:

If emotional chaos has been your daily norm and you're longing for a rhythm of peace, not just for today, but for every day, then I invite you to take a meaningful next step. The Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour is a 60-minute one-on-one session held over Zoom, designed to help you move from overwhelm to an anchored peace in Christ. For just $47, here's what you will receive -- A Peace RESET Bonus session using the Aroma Freedom Technique to gently break through the emotional clutter and help you realign with God's Truth. A personalized devotional rhythm crafted just for you, one that fits your lifestyle and daily routine. Step-by-step guidance on how to establish your quiet time, one that you will look forward to, not out of guilt, but from a place of grace and desire. Practical, Spirit-led tips on how to make your time with God more calming, focused and soul-nourishing. A beautiful printable prayer journal filled with scripture, essential oil routines, journaling prompts and sensory cues to keep your heart grounded in God's peace throughout the week. This session is so much more than just coaching. It's a sacred space. It's a place where you are fully seen, heard and supported, not just emotionally but spiritually. Reserve your spot today at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces).

Paula Behrens:

You were never meant to carry all of this alone. Let's partner together with the Holy Spirit to create a peaceful, purpose-filled rhythm that brings the joy of the Lord back into your soul. Remember, you're not alone. You are deeply loved and your faith journey matters. So keep breathing, keep believing and keep becoming who God created you to be. Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.