How to Stop Being Moody and Irritable: 4 Practical Insights
We put the trip to camp on the calendar and crossed off the white boxes with eager expectation. Winter felt like it might never end, and we all needed something to look forward to. I was desperate for some space to step back and assess how to stop being moody.
Wild places help me find my roots like nowhere else in the world, and I couldn’t wait to get to the woods.
At last, the weekend arrived.
We packed the bags, loaded the kids, and headed north.
Saturday dawned grey and soggy.
As the day wore on, it became clear it was going to rain all day. We played board games, drew pictures, and read books. We wore our raincoats into the torrential downpour approximately every four hours, leaving time for tiny boots and jackets to dry out, only to be soaked again.
Sunday morning dawned soggy again. We packed the truck and headed south with slightly deflated spirits. We’d made memories and made the most of the weekend. But we missed the sunshine and time outside.
“You want to put another trip on the calendar for June?” Darrell asked as the kids dozed in the backseat.
“I don’t know. It’ll probably rain the whole time again,” I commented snarkily.
Immediately, two words ran through my mind: Speak life.
How to Stop Being Moody by Choosing Your Words Carefully
These two words, “Speak life,” are a common phrase in some of the circles I frequent.
I’ve heard them quoted in Bible study meetings, sermons, and songs.
I’m drawn to these two simple words. I believe I’m drawn to them because they align with God’s heart.
God commands us not to complain. When we complain about our circumstances, we’re inadvertently complaining about the One who orchestrates all circumstances.
When we complain about our circumstances, we’re inadvertently complaining about the One who orchestrates all circumstances. #complaining #gratitude #thankfulness #honoringGod Click To TweetOn one level, complaining about the weather is complaining that God’s plans for our weekend didn’t match my plans.
Complaining about the construction on the highway, the service at the restaurant, or the calling on my life is deeper than mere frustration over external circumstances. On a deeper level, these complaints question God’s timing. They overlook the circumstances God has ordained to bless others through me.
“I should be more intentional about speaking life,” I told Darrell as we headed south into the sunshine. “Let’s pick a weekend in June. We’ll make the most of whatever weekend we choose, rain or shine.”
How to Stop Being Moody: 4 Tips
As we headed home, I made a quiet abjuration to be more intentional about speaking life.
Our words matter.
Our words hold the power to pull us from bad moods.
Do you want to learn how to stop being moody? Train yourself to speak life. Here are four ways to focus on speaking life:
1. Relentlessly Eliminate Complaining
Philippians 2:14 reminds us to do all things without complaining.
The Amplified version puts it this way: Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God].
When we complain about our lives, we are questioning God’s providence. We are complaining to God about God. This puts a new twist on the idea of complaining.
You’re not really complaining about your leaky faucet or meager income. You’re complaining about the providence of God.
2. Look for What’s Right Instead of What’s Wrong
It’s easy to find fault in pretty much any situation.
We can look at our friends, coworkers, employers, children, and husbands and list their faults, or we can look for the good.
We can complain about a rainy weekend, or we can give thanks for the people with whom we get to spend the long weekends indoors.
There’s always an invitation to look for what’s right instead of what’s wrong. Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks; therefore, when our hearts are set on what is good, our mouths will speak life. (For a full post on looking for what’s right, join me here.)
3. Fill Yourself With Truth Every Morning
If we want to learn how to stop being moody, we need to consider how we begin our days.
Beginning the day with the Word of God is important. We often speak the same words we put in. If the morning news or talk radio starts the day, our hearts are not set on what is pure, lovely, excellent, and admirable.
To speak words of life out, begin by putting words of life in first thing.
4. Watch for the Needs of Others
A heart filled with compassion will speak words of life, motivated by love.
As you watch for the needs of others around you – as you look into their eyes and see their hearts – make it a point to be an encouragement.
Speak words of hope, promise, and truth. The habit of watching for the needs of others – even strangers – naturally shapes a heart into a life-giving wellspring.
A Free Devotional to Help You Learn How to Stop Being Moody and Feeling Stuck:
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