I am grateful this morning for people like Henri Nouwen and his writings.  I know a lot of evangelicals either like him or judge him.  In any case, his words are filled with truth and hope.  

I didn’t wake up in the best of moods today.  I have questions, concerns, and thoughts about various parts of my life.  And of these carry moods and feelings that I am trying to name and observe.  Yet I don’t want to be a victim or a slave to them.  I also don’t want to act out my mood swings with others.  

There are many things that can impact my mood today.  I am hoping to practice some disciplines to help me cultivate eyes that see beauty and ears that hear the Spirit’s whispers.  One of those practices/disciplines is being thankful and grateful.

I am grateful for my family, work, and mind.  Today, I am thankful that I get to be part of other’s lives and journey with them.  I am thankful for a simple meal that was shared with new neighbors yesterday.  I am thankful for the encouragement I received this past weekend at the “Men’s Experiential”.  

Overcoming Our Mood Swings

Are we condemned to be passive victims of our moods?  Must we simply say:  “I feel great today” or “I feel awful today,” and require others to live with our moods?

Although it is very hard to control our moods, we can gradually overcome them by living a well-disciplined spiritual life.  This can prevent us from acting out of our moods.  We might not “feel” like getting up in the morning because we “feel” that life is not worth living, that nobody loves us, and that our work is boring.  But if we get up anyhow, to spend some time reading the Gospels, praying the Psalms, and thanking God for a new day, our moods may lose their power over  us.

– Henri Nouwen