By Cynthia Jennings
“I’m sooo hot! God if you don’t help me I’m going to lose my mind!” I know at first glance it appears that I’m talking about what all women will experience, perimenopause or menopause. I know the phrase fits, but what I’m actually talking about is the emotion of frustration that builds up when we’re working in ministry, at home, work or dealing with our spouse, children and members of our church. The unexpected, unwanted frustrated feeling that rises to a hot boiling point of they just don’t understand, or when asked to do one more thing before any other task has been completed.
As a pastor’s wife I have often said to myself “I’m sooo hot!” As women we have all been at that point, if not hold on to your lid, you too will have the unexpected, unwanted experience of saying, “I’m sooo hot.” When I feel myself “getting hot” I immediately stop what I’m doing and pray. Once I’m at the point of “getting hot,” I have to acknowledge that I have over extended myself or I mismanaged my time, causing me to become anxious, thus the boiling point of “I’m sooo hot!”
Philippians 4:6 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Prayer refocuses me, thus putting Jesus at the forefront of my mind so I am able to renew my mind, (Philippians 2:5) and die to my flesh (2 Corinthians 4:16). Praying allows me to intentionally think and meditate on his word to calm the “hotness.” My favorite scripture and the one I meditate on often is, Philippians 4:8-9. It reads, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Dealing with the issue of “I’m sooo hot” is a matter of discipline and self-control. I know you’re probably thinking the “I’m sooo hot” is warranted. That may be true, but we must remember we don’t want to be a stumbling block to another sister in Christ or a hindrance to a sister who has yet to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12. When I get the unexpected, unwanted feeling of “I’m sooo hot,” the following three steps are essential to my cooling down process. I pray they will help you as well. 1. Pray: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16 2. Meditate: Psalm 1:2; Psalm 19:14; Joshua 1:8 3. Use self-control: Proverbs 25:28; Proverbs 29:11; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 4:7
Cynthia Jennings is pastor’s wife, mother of two amazing children of whom one is a recent college graduate and the other is currently a college student, a student at Moody Theological Seminary, and the Ministry Director of my church. I have a heart and passion for helping women who have been broken, especially women who have dysfunctional and broken relationships with their mothers.
