Part II: Peeling back layers of a Check-In

A friend of mine recently completed the check-in I mentioned in a previous blog (you can check it out [Time For a Check-In]), and it inspired this follow-up post: What do you do when one or more areas of your life is out of alignment?

We’re all unique, with different backgrounds and experiences, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Think of it like cracking the code on a combination lock – the possibilities are endless and you need to tune in to yourself. But here are a few things to consider:

MENTAL: When your thought life is struggling

You acknowledged the thoughts you are having and they are not good. You have a choice to either capture that thought, or allow that thought to capture you. The more you allow a lie to capture you, it can become a stronghold in your life. Recent research shows that it takes 5 positive comments to negate 1 negative comment. Flipping your negative thoughts isn’t a passive act- it’s intentional.

In coaching, we work a lot on capturing negative thoughts and aligning them with God’s truth, found in His word. Take that negative thought and find what God has to say about it. Then put that on repeat. This is the daily practice of “renewing your mind.”

EMOTIONAL: When I can’t unbraid my feelings

Your emotions are meant to be felt, not fixed. We do fixing when our emotions dominate and influence our choices. You were made to feel but you are NOT your feelings. Your emotions, a gift from God, are great indicators to help you navigate through life’s challenges and sense the joy and depth of life’s goodness. You were built to feel.

It’s also important to keep in mind that emotions like sadness and anger aren’t bad emotions- they serve their purpose in different times in your life. For instance, crying flushes stress hormones and toxins out of your system. Being scared of something can sometimes protect you from danger.

Ask yourself, "am I ok or not ok?" Start simple. "If I am not ok, what is it that I am actually feeling?" Name it. "Have I been trying to control, cope or conceal?" "Can I now name and confront what I feel and sit with it." Move through the waves to the calm.

Jesus has experienced the whole rainbow of emotions that you have felt. Invite him in to heal you emotionally.

Sidebar: you can only fake that you are ok for so long. A lot of healing can happen when you are in the right community. Take inventory of your circle because your circle determines your cycle.

PHYSICAL: When your physical body is off

Again, there could be many options but here are a few things you can ask yourself:

• The pressure I am feeling - is that coming from some place or someone?

• If I am short-tempered, maybe I need to reassess my priorities or boundaries?

• Am I sick? I need to make more room to rest and restore myself?

• Take inventory of your body health- am I eating the right things? What do my sleep rhythms look like? Should I be going to bed earlier? How much water am I drinking? Addictions I need to break? Do I move my body? Am I struggling with something hormonal or a deficiency?

• If you are struggling in your health, maybe it’s going to the doctor or finding a new one.

• And of course, praying for healing and asking God to guide you.

Your body is constantly sending you messages and indicators of how you are doing. Lean into paying attention and take it a step further, learn.

SPIRITUAL: When my spiritual life feels like it’s coming up short

I am a Christian, and I truly believe the spiritual is foundational. Because it does effect every other area of your life. I’ve seen it in my own story and I’ve seen it in others (like a ton of others). I always tell people, the more you learn about who God is, the more you uncover about yourself. Because he is the one who created you. He created you with a mind and free will, he created you with emotions to experience, he created your body to operate and function without thought. Our identity is found in him, which brings much security and hope for the future.

When the connection to him is not there, it’s like we’re sitting with a bunch of puzzle pieces trying to make sense of the big picture and ourselves.

It is only when I encountered Jesus, that I realized how much I couldn’t do things on my own and how I did really need him - to heal my heart, my mind, my past experiences, what I thought about myself, how I viewed the world and others, to help me to forgive myself and others. To not remove pain but to walk me through it to the other side AND connect and experience the good things in this life more vividly with purpose.

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, this truly is your first step. What does this mean? It means you admit your a sinner (that means we do things that separate us from God) that we can’t do life on our own separate from him. It makes you believe God sent his son Jesus, to die for you, because he loved you so much. That he is the way, truth and life. That you choose to make him Lord of your life.

If you do have a relationship with Jesus, continue to go all in. If you feel like the attacks are strong, I always say, meet the aggressiveness. Go in hard on your Bible reading, worship and thank God for who he is every day, continue to be faithful and obedient. Surround yourself with encouraging people. Continue open conversation with him.

We will all face times when one or more areas are out of alignment—whether it’s mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, build your self-awareness and take intentional steps. By renewing your mind, naming and processing your emotions, caring for your body, and strengthening your spiritual foundation, you can start to realign and thrive. Take inventory of where you’re at, lean into God’s wisdom, and keep pressing forward.

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If you are interested in a life coaching session, you can explore options here. I would love to see if we would be a good fit together.