Mood Swings: Common Causes & Ways To Overcome Them

Mood swings can be incredibly frustrating and even debilitating, both for the people who are experiencing these fluctuating emotions and those around them. Mood swings can make it hard to concentrate at work, enjoy time with friends and family, and get a good night's sleep. Below, we discuss some of the root causes of mood swings and how leaning on God can help during difficult times.

You Are Never "Just" Moody

Contrary to popular belief, “moody” isn't really a thing. It's not something to dismiss or chalk up as normal from time to time. Mood swings are actually important indicators of physiological and psychological changes that may need additional support.

Widely fluctuating emotions or emotions that seem to turn on a dime can be caused by:

• Mental health conditions. Certain mental illnesses like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder can be characterized by severe mood swings that are accompanied by other symptoms.
• Trauma. Individuals who have been traumatized or who are suffering from PTSD may experience rapid shifts in mood from one moment to the next.
• Hormone levels. Changes in hormone levels that trigger volatile emotions can be caused by puberty, pregnancy, menopause, thyroid problems, and medication side effects.
• External stress. Work stress, financial stress, family conflict, and relationship problems can all result in mood shifts due to the body constantly being in fight-or-flight mode.

Feelings Are Metrics, Not Directions

When it comes to emotions, it can be helpful to remember that feelings are metrics, not directions. Emotions are indicators of how you are feeling in the present moment, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you should act on them.

Negative emotions often feel urgent, almost like an emergency, especially when they are driven by past trauma. But you can choose not to act on them, giving yourself more time to analyze the situation and think through the best approach.

Taking Every Thought Captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Turning to the Bible when you’re feeling emotionally unsteady can help ground you and give you a sense of peace and purpose amid life's challenges, no matter what's going on around you. There are dozens of passages that can comfort and inspire, but these are some of our favorites.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says,

5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

This Bible verse encourages people to be mindful of their thoughts and to think through their emotions before taking action. With practice, you can train your brain to think before you act, rather than reacting impulsively to whatever you're feeling in the present moment.

Prayer can also be a helpful tool for processing your emotions and making decisions that honor God. Taking time to reflect on your feelings and offering them up to God can help you gain more awareness of the situation from a new perspective and plan out a course of action that brings glory to His name.

When it comes to managing mood swings, prayer is an invaluable tool for gaining perspective and clarity in difficult situations and can provide much-needed comfort and reassurance when things become frustrating and overwhelming. Praying can help you to express your emotions safely and constructively, enabling you to work through issues in a way that pleases the Lord. By talking to God when things feel rocky, you can find strength and hope in moments of darkness.

A Transformed Mind (Romans 12:2)

The Bible encourages God's followers to have a “transformed mind,” free of anxiety and worry about what the future will hold or how they will make ends meet. Resting firm in the power, peace, and presence of the Lord can give you the strength to weather any emotional storm.

Romans 12:2 says,

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A transformed mind is willing to trust in the Lord and put faith in Him. This means that instead of relying on human understanding and knowledge when difficult situations and volatile emotions arise, you are willing to trust in God for guidance and direction. As you continue to surrender your fluctuating moods, thoughts, hopes, and frustrations to the Lord, His Spirit will give you the peace and steadiness you need to navigate life with more joy.

Your Church Family Can Support You

Having a strong support system of friends and family to lean on during times of emotional upheaval is important for everyone who experiences mood swings, regardless of their cause. Having an open dialogue between both yourself and those around you about how you’re feeling and maybe why you’re feeling that way can help ease that mental anguish. Your church family can be a great source of comfort and support during these times and can provide a compassionate listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

Be open and honest about your struggles with your church family, so they can offer the right kind of support at the right time. Showing vulnerability to your church family can be difficult, but it is also a major step toward healing and finding hope. It's okay to have a hard time and to allow your brothers and sisters in Christ to help you shoulder the emotional burden.

Knowing that you have people who are invested in your mental and emotional health can help you to feel supported and encouraged as you work to overcome obstacles and manage your moods.

Plan Your Visit To Chicago Church Of Christ Today

If you don’t already have a church family, now is a great time to start building one. At Chicago Church Of Christ, we’re proud of our loving and accepting atmosphere and welcome you to come enjoy a service with us, especially if you’re struggling to manage mood swings or feeling burdened with emotional weight.

Simply come to one of our locations, or contact us using our quick online form, and we’ll guide you from there.