I remember feeling many emotions as a teenage girl. Happy, excited, frustrated, irritated. 

For much of that season of my life, I mostly felt irritated by my mother. We were blessed with a good relationship, I just did not understand how to acknowledge or express what emotions I was feeling or that my body was going through natural changes that all girls experience.

I am sure that was a challenging time for my mom raising 3 young girls as a single mother. 

She trusted God to guide her in raising her children. 

Praise God! Today we share a healthy Christ-centered relationship. 

As a part of my women’s ministry, I encourage young girls to set their hearts and minds on seeking and abiding in a true covenant relationship with God by: 

• Having an obedient faith
• Praying daily
• Reading Scripture daily
• Writing their thoughts and feelings in a journal to process emotions

Understanding their identity in God 

• God created them in His image Genesis 1:27
• God created mankind (men & women) with a body, soul, and spirit 

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

The soul is the part of mankind where our emotions, thoughts, opinions, and feelings begin

Effective strategies for young girls to manage emotions

1. Acknowledge what emotion you are feeling
   1. I am a visual learner. This color-coded feelings wheel from the University of Arkansas helps me identify what emotion I am feeling. Once I acknowledge my emotion, I give myself time to feel it and not suppress/bury it. Then I seek healthy ways to manage it.
2. Reading the Psalms during times of emotional despair, grief, anger or joy comforts the soul. The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 songs expressing the full range of human emotion and human experience.
3. Praying Scripture
   1. FREE Guide to Effectively Praying Scripture
4. Self-care: Steward your mind and body
   1. Commune with God in nature
   2. Deep breathing
   3. Move your body with exercise
   4. Disconnect from social media – there are many statistics on social media addictions and the negative effects of social media on mental health
5. Aromatherapy (Essential oils)
   1. Diffuse or apply topically essential oils that support your nervous system 
   2. Diffuser jewelry (bracelets, earrings, necklaces)

6. Christian Counseling

The first time I saw a psychologist was during my ministry training to assess if I was mentally and emotionally well to be able to serve others. It was comforting talking about my past, emotions, and desire to serve God and others.

I highly recommend seeking a Christian counselor if you are experiencing:

+ Anxiety

+Using unhealthy coping skills

+Thoughts of harming yourself or others

+Your psychological health is affecting your physical health

+A traumatic experience

+Difficult family or relationship dynamics

If this was helpful for you read my blog “Emotional Hurt & Spiritual Growth”

I pray that you will walk by faith and have abundant joy in Jesus!

God bless you