Living On Purpose In Christ | Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Essential Oils, Daily Prayer, Journal Prompts

119 | Are Your Feelings Out of Control? Holy Spirit Peace to Quiet Emotional Chaos

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Essential Oil Practitioner • Season 2

Share episode

Find the full episode here >>> LivingOnPurposeInChrist.com/blog

Your heart surges, your thoughts spin, and faith can feel like it’s slipping through your fingers. We’ve been there too, and we built this conversation to help you steady your inner life with honest emotion, clear Scripture, and small, doable rhythms that fit a full day. From the first story about choosing calm when chaos hits to the final invitation to breathe, you’ll hear a grounded path toward peace that doesn’t deny feeling—it redeems it.

We define the soul, the psuchē (ψυχή), as Scripture does: the integrated center of your life—thoughts, desires, and essence—where God meets you. Together we walk through scripture passages to show how the Bible legitimizes emotion while offering a practical roadmap for balance. You’ll learn how to name feelings without shame, pray with specificity, and adopt a five-minute quiet time that actually sticks. We also explore why slowing your reactions—quick to listen, slow to speak—creates room for wisdom and guards your mind with God’s peace.

To make these habits easier to keep, we add gentle sensory support. You’ll hear how essential oils can cue your nervous system toward rest and focus, turning your quiet time into a familiar refuge. We layer in journaling prompts, gratitude practices, and short affirmations rooted in Scripture to reinforce calm throughout the day. By the end, you’ll have a simple, repeatable rhythm for aligning your emotions with God’s presence and building resilience that lasts.

Ready to breathe peace into your walk with Jesus? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. Want guided help? Save your seat for the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour + Peace Reset at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching and tell us: which practice will you start today?

Send us a text

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

Christian Coaching > PaulaBehrens.com/coaching

Become an Insider > bit.ly/insiderfamily

Community Freebies >>> DevotionDrops.com

Essential Oil Favorites > WhyEssentialOils.com

Bible Study Circle >>> EssentialFaithJourney.com

Christian Resources >>> FaithBuildingClub.com

Get a copy > A New Heaven and New Earth: The Book of Revelation Revisited >>> https://amzn.to/3xRp0DI

Paula Behrens:

Have you ever felt like your heart and mind are running in opposite directions? One moment you feel joyful, the next moment discouraged and anxious. You know, life can feel like a roller coaster, and keeping your faith steady in the middle of emotional ups and downs can seem impossible. But here's the good news God designed your inner self, your soul, to experience his peace, joy, and guidance, even in the midst of emotional turbulence. Today we're going to explore how to care for your soul, nurture your emotional balance, and connect more deeply with God. We'll use scripture as our guide, practical reflections as our tools, and even sensory support like essential oils to help anchor your inner self. By the end of this episode, you'll have a roadmap for tending your emotions in a way that uplifts your spirit and strengthens your faith. But first, funny story.

Paula Behrens:

Back in my early pastoral days, I remember juggling a mile-high stack of folders into the filing room when I felt a slight shift in my grip, and before I knew it, the entire stack was cascading onto the floor like a paper waterfall. The administrative assistant sitting nearby, eyes wide, expecting a more colorful reaction than my surprisingly calm, oh no, burst into laughter saying, Oh wow, you must really have the spirit of Jesus in you. I would have slipped a few choice words in there. That silly moment turned into a sweet reminder of how, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can choose peace even in small calamities, a lesson that has carried me through many a busy day.

Paula Behrens:

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. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today. Hey friend, I know how exhausting it can be to chase after a devotional routine that’s just not working for you, constantly restarting with good intentions while fighting through distractions that keep pulling you away from God. I've walked that path myself, that cycle of trying my best but falling short.

Paula Behrens:

That's precisely why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. It's a sacred space where we work together to develop a peace reset utilizing a complementary essential oil sampler that I'll send to you ahead of our session. This unique approach will bring emotional alignment and clarity to your spiritual journey. Imagine stepping into a rhythm that truly refreshes your soul, anchoring you in God's presence for that lasting sense of calm you've been craving. This is your invitation to make it doable today. Turn your quiet time into a source of thriving faith. Save your seat now for an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour plus Peace Reset at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com/coaching (no spaces). It's time to start breathing peace into your walk with Jesus. All right, let's get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Hey friend, think about this fact. Your soul is not just an abstract concept. It's your inner life, your feelings, desires, and spiritual essence. It's where God meets you, where hope rises and where your emotions unfold. In the Bible, your inner self is addressed directly, offering guidance, comfort, and encouragement. Psalm 42.11 says, Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God. This verse reminds us that it's okay for the inner self to feel unrest, but God calls us to put our hope firmly in Him. Emotional turbulence is normal, but God wants your inner self to find peace in Him. Emotions are not the enemies of faith, they are indicators. Anxiety, frustration, joy, and sorrow are signals from your soul about what needs attention. Anxiety may show areas where you feel out of control. Frustration may highlight boundaries that need protecting. Each feeling is a message, pointing your inner self toward God's presence.

Paula Behrens:

Scripture frequently calls us to care for our inner life. Proverbs 4:23 says, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. While this verse mentions the heart, the principle applies to your inner self, your soul. Guarding your soul means tending to your emotions, desires, and thoughts, making space for God's spirit to work. First Peter 1:9 speaks of the salvation of your soul, reminding us that God wants to transform the deepest part of our being, emotionally and spiritually. Now many Christians feel pressure to ignore emotions in the name of maturity, but the Bible encourages honest engagement. Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb. David poured out his heart in lament, and Paul described moments of despair. God honors emotional honesty because it brings your inner self into his presence, where he can guide, comfort, and strengthen you.

Paula Behrens:

One of the simplest ways to care for your soul is through intentional quiet time. Now, this doesn't require long hours. Even five to ten minutes can make a difference. The psalmist instructs, be still and know that I am God. Stillness is not only physical, it's giving your inner self permission to pause, reflect, and tune into God. Take a moment to name your emotions, like I feel anxious today, or I feel joyful, or I feel tired. Naming emotions is a spiritual practice that acknowledges your soul while inviting God to respond. Essential oils can be a beautiful complement to this practice. The sense of smell is deeply connected to emotions and memory. Lavender can calm restlessness, frankincense enhances focus and spiritual awareness, and bergamot uplifts a weary spirit. Incorporating oils into your quiet time isn't mystical, it's practical. Diffusing a calming scent, inhaling intentionally, or applying a drop to your hands can signal your mind, body, and soul to relax and prepare to connect with God.

Paula Behrens:

Scripture gives us a roadmap for guarding and balancing our inner selves. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Notice the promise. God's peace actively guards the inner life. Prayer, gratitude, and surrender allow your soul to rest in Him even when emotions feel turbulent. Isaiah offers another anchor saying, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Perfect peace doesn't mean the absence of feelings, it means stability and trust in God amidst them. Steadfastness is a daily choice to place your inner self in God's hands rather than being tossed by circumstances.

Paula Behrens:

In James 1:19-20, we hear a bit of practical wisdom. He writes, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Why? Well, because human anger, unlike the righteous anger displayed by Jesus, does not produce the virtue that God desires. Emotional balance often begins with pausing, breathing, reflecting, and inviting God's perspective before reacting. By slowing down, your inner self can respond rather than react, cultivating a soul that is calm, wise, and connected to God's guidance.

Paula Behrens:

Let's take a moment to focus on the Greek word, psuchē (ψυχή). This word appears throughout the New Testament and refers to the soul, the inner self, encompassing not just your emotions, but also your desires, thoughts, and life essence. Your soul is more than fleeting feelings. It is the very core of who you are. It is the place where your identity, your spiritual life, and your deepest longings converge. When Scripture speaks to your soul, it's speaking to the part of you that is most alive and most receptive to God's presence. It is the inner sanctuary of your being where your hopes, fears, joys, and dreams meet with the Spirit of God. Consider Matthew 10: 28, where Jesus tells his followers, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. This verse highlights the eternal significance of the soul, the psuchē (ψυχή), your whole self, who you are. While the body is temporary, your inner self, your soul, carries the weight of eternity. Your emotions, desires, and thoughts are not incidental. They are meaningful, sacred parts of who God created you to be. How you care for your soul matters not only today, but also for eternity. Hebrews 4:1 2 further reveals the power of God's word in relation to the soul, saying, For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. This tells us something profound. God's Word reaches into the very depths of your inner self. It discerns, refines, and shapes the soul, the psuchē (ψυχή). The scriptures are not simply words on a page. They are living, active tools that bring clarity to your emotions, redirect your desires, and align your inner self with God's will.

Paula Behrens:

The soul is where God speaks, but it's also where he cultivates growth, healing, and transformation. It's the part of you that experiences deep rest, joy, and peace when you sit in His presence. It is a place that longs for connection, purpose, and fulfillment beyond the temporary and superficial. When your soul is neglected, it can become restless, anxious, and empty. But when you intentionally nurture your soul through prayer, scripture, reflection, and the Spirit's guidance, it becomes a fertile ground for emotional stability, spiritual insight, and inner peace. By acknowledging emotions, examining feelings, and inviting God into the deepest places of your inner self, you create a foundation for emotional balance and spiritual resilience.

Paula Behrens:

Tending to your soul intentionally can involve practices as simple as journaling, prayer, meditating on scripture, and mindful reflection on your feelings. It can also include sensory support, such as essential oils, which can help signal to your body and mind that your inner self is being cared for. When you integrate these practices, your soul becomes more attuned to God's voice, more resilient in the face of life's ups and downs, and more capable of carrying the peace and joy that only God can provide. By nurturing your soul, your psuchē (ψυχή), you align your emotions, feelings, desires, and spiritual life with God's Truth, creating harmony and stability that will ripple out through every area of your life. Your soul is worth tending. It is worth nurturing. And when you do, you step into the abundant, balanced, and peaceful life God intended for you.

Paula Behrens:

Here are a few simple ways to care for your inner self. First, set aside a few minutes each day to write about what you're feeling. Ask God, what do you want me to understand about these feelings? Pairing journaling with essential oils and slow breathing will help integrate body, mind, and spirit. These simple practices nurture a soul that is responsive to God and emotionally healthy. And remember to be grateful for what you have. Gratitude shifts your perspective away from problems and towards God's faithfulness. Daily affirmations rooted in scripture can also reinforce soul care. Speak truth over your inner life, saying things like, Heavenly Father, guard my soul. Spirit of God, align my emotions with your presence. Lord Jesus, touch my inner self with your strength today. Transforming your soul requires intentionality, repetition, and the willingness to invite God into every part of your inner self. Even moments of emotional high can be integrated into spiritual life. Likewise, emotional lows are opportunities for God's comfort, guidance, and renewal. And of course, prayer allows the inner self to release burdens, seek guidance, and connect with God's peace.

Paula Behrens:

Balancing the soul is a lifelong journey. Each reflection, prayer, and act of surrender builds resilience. And here's the most important part: emotional ups and downs are not failures. They are opportunities to grow closer to God, cultivate patience, and strengthen faith. Over time, your inner self becomes a steady place of trust, peace, and joy. When the soul is grounded in God's presence, emotions are guided, stabilized, and transformed into opportunities for growth and worship.

Paula Behrens:

If you're ready to experience a soul that is steady, joyful, and deeply aligned with God's presence, I invite you to book an Aroma of Christ coaching hour plus Peace Reset with me. In this session, we will use scripture, prayer, reflection, and the intentional use of essential oils to calm, center, and nurture your inner self while creating a simple rhythm that you can follow each day, designed to meet you right where you are. These aromatic tools that I will get out to you beforehand are more than just pleasant scents. They work alongside your mind and spirit to ease anxiety, uplift your mood, and create a sensory anchor for God's peace. You will discover how specific oils can support emotional clarity, invite spiritual renewal, and cultivate lasting calm in your soul. This is an opportunity to give your inner self the care it was created to receive, lending biblical wisdom with practical sensory practices that refresh both your spirit and emotions. You can schedule your session now at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com/coaching (no spaces). Let's take this step together and help your soul experience the emotional balance, spiritual refreshment, and deep peace that God intends for you today.

Paula Behrens:

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 listeners like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live with purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning in to Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.

Head Shot

Paula Behrens

Host