Build Emotional Health in Your Home

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV

We’ve all flown off the rails emotionally.

Whether it’s been anxiety, anger, sadness, or any shade of emotion in between… We’ve all lost it.

A couple of years ago, though, I realized that as a dad, I’m the emotional thermostat for my household.

Everyone feeds off of my emotional state—especially my daughter (and now twins).

So, regardless of how I’m feeling, I need to deeply consider what emotional state I’m creating.

I will not pretend, as my kids need to see the emotional breadth of being human. But I will stop whining, being crabby, and creating an environment of stress when it’s unnecessary.

Are you creating an emotionally healthy atmosphere in your home? Or are you giving full vent to your spirit?

Well, one day I totally blew it… And made a video sharing why it hurts our families so much. (Click here to watch on Facebook.)

I realized I was creating an environment where it was more peaceful when I wasn’t there, than when I was home.

After I snapped at my oldest daughter, I had to go apologize to her and to my wife.

If you struggle with anger, stress, or anxiety, today’s verse is tremendously helpful.

Don’t be discouraged, there is a path forward—and it is becoming a man (or woman) of peace, increasing the fruit of self-control in your life.

How can you bring peace into your household, rather than anxiety?

Today’s devotion by Jordan Loftis, bestselling author of Today We Win, writes The Creator’s Playbook for people growing a content platform, and is president and editor of Short Daily Devotions.