Emily Miller shares helpful tips on how to take control over your emotions. Instead of focusing on the negative, learn how to count your blessings.

I am sure as a teen if you are anything like me, you have felt down in the dumps from time to time. It can be really hard to control your emotions. One minute you may feel happy about life, and the next you may want to lash out at everyone who gets in your path.

With God’s help, we can learn to have control over our emotions. I have said before, that God wants us to think about things that are true, noble, right, lovely, and praiseworthy.

One way that you can do this, is to count your blessings.

Our minds cannot dwell on two things at once. So instead of focusing on the negative all the time, why don’t you make a list of things you are thankful for and “count your blessings”. You can write down practical things like your family, things you take for granted like your eyesight, and silly little things that make you happy, like wet kisses from your dog.

Here is my list as an example.

Things I am Thankful For:

1. My relationship with God

2. My Family

3. My Friends

4. My House

5. My School

6. My Health

7. My Body

8. The crazy old paint horse I ride

9. Being able to ride horses on and off trails

10. Summer

11. Christmas Lights

12. Being with family on Thanksgiving

13. Food

14. Clothes

15. Old T.V. Shows

16. My Writing

17. Books

When you make a list of your own, keep it where you can find it. God has given us a lot to be thankful for. Teens, the next time you are down, look at your list, and even add more of God’s blessings to it. When you do this, you’re bound not to be sad for long.

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Written by Emily Miller