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Short Leash

Short Leash

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Short leash--Dog on short leash across a fence from a horseA friend recently said, “when we are dog-tired, we can be on that short leash of frustration and bark at others too easily.” How true. Fatigue often leads to frustration and harsh answers.

A short leash means strong control by someone or something.

When dog owners want more control over their dogs, they keep the leash short and the dogs close.

People on short emotional leashes know the feeling well. They enjoy little freedom.

We suffer if we allow emotions to keep us on a short leash.

God gave us emotions, but God also gave us minds. We never want our emotions to cloud good judgement.

Let’s choose a better way.

Rather than bark or yell at someone when upset, why not take time to calm down? We don’t want to say anything we regret. If we give it a rest long enough to get a grip, we don’t have to worry about going haywire.

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction” (Proverbs 29:18 NIV).

Thanks to Martha J. Orlando for the suggestion and to Chelsey Stone for the photo.

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Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

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Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve--a red heart on a white sweater sleeveDo you ever wear your heart on your sleeve? I don’t mean shirts or sweaters with hearts on them. Do you let your emotions show?

When you wear your heart on your sleeve, you openly reveal your emotions.

They become obvious to everyone who sees you. They show in your:

  • Face
  • Words
  • Body Language

Wear your heart on your sleeve applies to every emotion.

  • Anger makes you blow your top.
  • Love brightens the world around you.
  • Concern reaches out to those in need.
  • Fear makes you tremble.

No one has to wonder how you feel, especially when you are in love.

This expression may originate from a medieval custom.

According to The Phrase Finder, knights wore the name of a woman on their sleeves during tournaments.

The phrase later appeared in Shakespeare’s “Othello.”

Wear your heart on your sleeve with caution.

Openness is not appropriate in every situation. You don’t want to go off the deep end. Use wisdom and kindness in all you do.

Allow God’s love to flow through you regardless of your emotions.

When you let go and let God take control, your heart changes for the better.

“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Beside Myself

Beside Myself

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Beside Myself--globe in glassThe first time I went on an international mission trip, I was beside myself with joy. The opportunity before me almost took my breath away.

Beside myself refers to extreme emotion.

 In addition to awe or joy, I may feel intense:

  • Shock
  • Anger
  • Excitement
  • Sadness
  • Worry
  • Panic

Recent news about some of the areas I served leaves me beside myself with grief. I ache for the difficulties my friends now face.

When I am beside myself, I feel out of control.

Strong emotions overwhelm me. I must work to regain a sense of balance—to get a grip.

This phrase appears in the Bible.

The Apostle Paul had shared the story of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He had also discussed his life since that time. Festus, the Roman governor, responded in a loud voice, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26:24 KJV). Paul explained that he was not crazy but was sharing God’s truth.

If anyone says I am beside myself, I can think of no better reason than God’s call to share eternal truth and love.

“They were all amazed at the greatness of God” (Luke 9:43 NIV).

What about you? What makes you beside yourself?

Thanks to Stan Crump for the suggestion.

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Heart-to-Heart

Heart-to-Heart

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Heart to Heart--sunset silhouette of young girls forming heart with handsMost relationships benefit from occasional heart-to-heart talks. When we open our hearts to one another, we learn to appreciate each other more.

Heart-to-heart means open and honest.

It usually refers to conversations where we don’t hide our emotions. Such talks occur between:

  • Family members
  • Friends
  • Coworkers
  • Neighbors

Honest discussion helps us work through differences of opinion.

The outcome varies. We may:

  • Agree
  • Compromise
  • Agree to disagree

Although such talks don’t always end the way we hope, they usually result in improvement.

Most heart-to-heart talks involve serious subjects.

We don’t just shoot the breeze. Through open discussion, we try to prevent or work through conflicts. Under ideal circumstances, our talks build on already strong relationships.

We celebrate Valentine’s Day with hearts of all kinds:

  • Candy
  • Cards
  • Cakes
  • Clothing

Why not also include heart-filled conversations? Resolve conflicts. Strengthen bonds. Love with both words and actions.

“I have a lot more things to tell you, but I’d rather not use paper and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk. That will be far more satisfying to both you and me” (2 John 1:12-13 MSG).

Thanks to Glenda Britton for the suggestion. Image by u_uf78c121 from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Go Haywire

Go Haywire

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Go Haywire--tangled fence wire and leavesLife goes haywire from time to time. Everything goes wrong. Nothing works right.

Recently, emails of my blog posts stopped sending. I had changed nothing. They simply stopped. Plus:

  • Friends and family members suffered major health problems.
  • Several loved ones died.
  • Freezing temperatures and electricity problems left us in a cold, dark house.
  • Slick roads prevented travel.
  • To-do lists grew out of control.

My life went haywire.

Go Haywire--stacked hayGo haywire probably relates to the wire farmers once used to bale hay.

The wire held the hay together. Farmers also occasionally made repairs with old wire. Such repairs rarely lasted. In addition, thin wire easily tangles, as seen in the fence wire above.

Go haywire has two main meanings.

The Free Dictionary explains both.

  1. “To go wrong; to malfunction; to break down.”

Like the people and possessions in my recent life, everything falls apart.

  1. “To become irrational or crazy.”

When life gets crazy, acting crazy often follows. Because my surroundings felt out of control, I had a tough time staying in control.

Personal reactions do not have to depend on circumstances.

Once I changed my self-talk and thoughts, my emotions also changed. Hard times happen. That’s life. Yet, good can come from those times.

Whether circumstances remain calm or go haywire, I want to let go and let God hold my life together.

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28 NIV).

Thanks to Randy Gosser for the suggestion and to Connie Atwood Murphy for the photos.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Go Off the Deep End

Go Off the Deep End

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Go Off the Deep End--Cumberland FallsAs children, my sister, brother, and I loved to go off the deep end of a swimming pool. We wanted to see what was under the water. Usually, we found nothing but the bottom of the pool.

In contrast, a dive into the depths of rivers or oceans reveals a new world. We find ourselves surrounded by:

  • Fish
  • Rocks
  • Plants
  • Other natural wonders

However, a word to the wise: Learn to swim before jumping into deep water.

To go off the deep end means to act crazy.

What we do makes no sense. Our behavior may result from feeling:

  • Upset
  • Angry
  • Excited
  • Grieved
  • Lovesick

We go overboard.

When we go off the deep end, we let our emotions take control.

Like a person who can’t swim but jumps into deep water, we fail to use reason. We overreact. We:

  • Speak before we think
  • Hurt others or ourselves
  • Act before we get the facts
  • Withdraw from sources of help
  • Move too fast in a relationship

God gave us emotions, but God also gave us brains. Let’s use our heads for more than hat racks.

“Leave behind your foolishness and begin to live; learn how to be wise” (Proverbs 9:6 TLB).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Blow Your Top

Blow Your Top

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Blow Your Top--an erupting volcano Recently, I told a relative about a fake friend request. She hates for people to misuse her pictures and information. As a result, she suggested a post on blow your top.

To blow your top means to become very angry.

Similar expressions include:

All mean you lose your temper.

When you blow your top, you lose control.

Your emotions erupt like an active volcano. During that explosion, anyone nearby risks danger. This often happens quickly and without warning.

Possible behavior includes:

  • Shouting
  • Destroying property
  • Hurting other people
  • Hurting yourself

Such behavior can become a way of life.

You have to be careful not to cut off your nose to spite your face. If anger takes control, everyone loses, including you.

When appropriate, anger can help right a wrong.

You want to manage anger wisely. Use it for good when necessary. If it becomes harmful, nip it in the bud before it gets out of control.

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV).

Thanks to Rebecca Stafford for the suggestion. Image by Enrique from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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My Heart Is Full

My Heart Is Full

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My Heart Is Full--four generation family photoMy heart is full when I spend time with people I love. It’s also full when I miss those same people. The first feels good. The second hurts.

My heart is full means I feel strong emotions.

I usually feel glad. However, it also refers to times I feel:

Emotions affect physical reactions. My heart beats faster with strong emotions. It beats slower if I feel relaxed, snug as a bug in a rug.

My heart is full of different emotions when I see this picture.

  • Memories of good times fill me with joy.
  • Missing our get-togethers brings tears.
  • Knowing my dad, mom, and younger nephew are in heaven comforts my heart.
  • Looking forward to seeing them again makes my cup run over.

I give thanks for God’s never-failing presence and the emotions to deal with every life event.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalm 28:7 NIV).

If your heart is full of painful emotions due to experiencing a medical crisis, walking alongside someone who is, or caring for a loved one, my friend Tracy Crump’s book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness, may help. On Saturday, October 30, I will randomly select the name of one person on my mailing list to receive a free copy of Tracy’s book. Please encourage your friends to also subscribe to my mailing list for a chance to win.

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion.

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Deer in the Headlights

Deer in the Headlights

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Deer in the Headlights-deer on a foggy road In our garden spot of the world, we have to watch for deer in the headlights. We have several trees on one side of the road and farm fields on the other. Although beautiful and fun to watch, deer cause many accidents.

Deer in the headlights freeze in the middle of the road.

Both cars and the people in them suffer damage if they fail to stop in time. Therefore, we drive slower in certain areas.

If we act like deer in the headlights, we also freeze in place.

Causes include:

  • Fear
  • Surprise
  • Confusion
  • Strong emotions

We might:

  • Get caught red-handed
  • Experience unexpected and overwhelming responsibilities
  • Face decisions with no easy answers
  • Receive news of a birth, marriage, death, or other major family event

Although we freeze at times, unsure what to do, we don’t have to face the future alone.

God offers guidance and hope, whatever our situation.

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion. Image by enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay

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Easy Does It

Easy Does It

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Easy Does It--gentle streamEasy does it tells us to move slowly and carefully.

 Like gently flowing water, we:

  • Take our time
  • Work around hard spots
  • Go with the flow

If we move too fast, we quickly learn that haste makes waste.

Sometimes easy does it relates to work.

We remain careful when we:

  • Move a heavy piece of furniture
  • Carry a special painting or piece of pottery

We don’t want to drop or break any of those.

Other times easy does it relates to our emotions.

When we feel out of control, rather than blow off steam, we:

  • Calm down
  • Relax
  • Control our temper
  • Treat everyone as we want to be treated

Ways to stay in control include:

  • Taking deep breaths
  • Lowering our shoulders, so our muscles relax
  • Closing our eyes and thinking of a favorite place
  • Praying
  • Asking if what upsets us will matter in ten years

Easy does it works well for everything and everybody.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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