When stating the affirmation, often times not only does your current self need to hear it but also the age at which the wound occurred, therefore, speak these words to the person you were at that age. Example: At age 8 Tim’s dad moved out and never came back. No one new why. It will be important for Tim to imagine his adult self having a conversation in his mind with the 8 year old version of himself. Eight year old Tim is where the wound began and needs to hear life giving words.
Abandonment: Physical abandonment is being left alone; left behind or deserted (this is the type of abandonment that we most often see in childhood). Emotional abandonment is being given up on; withdrew from; emotionally deserted or separated from; a feeling of being “left behind” in a non-physical form.
Opposite emotion: Supported
Affirmation: I embrace all of life’s expereinces
Truth: Lord you are always with me. You were there next to me when I felt forgotten. You always remember me. You support me. Thank you for always making space for me.
Anger: A strong displeasure and belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong; wrath. Anger is often used as a cover-up or form of denial for emotions of hurt or fear.
Opposite emotion: Laughter
Affirmation: My direction is clear.
Lord, you clear the way. You are my guide. Direct me and help me laugh so much along the way! I choose to laugh instead of feeling anger.
Anxiety: A generalized feeling of uneasiness and foreboding; a fear of the unknown; fear without a subject (e.g. she feels anxious and fearful all the time for no apparent reason).
Opposite emotion: Confidence
Affirmation: I am safe. I am loved. I am grateful. I accept what is and learn from what was. All I can do in this moment is breathe and pray.
Lord, give me your peace that surpasses all understanding. You calm troubled waters, calm my troubled spirit.
Betrayal: Betrayed is to have your trust broken, to be deserted or hurt by a trusted one. Betrayal of another is to be unfaithful in guarding or fulfilling a trust; to be disloyal or violate a confidence, to desert someone who trusts you. Betrayal of the self is to break integrity; act against oneʼs morals, to abuse the body or soul.Oftentimes betrayal contributes to a “fear of trust”.
Opposite emotion: trust.
Affirmation: I have the courage to accept the truth, to make appropriate boundaries, and to trust that my Creator is fighting on my behalf
Psalm 16:6
Bitterness: A harsh, disagreeable or cynical attitude. Being angry or resentful because of hurtful or unfair experiences.
Opposite emotions: forgive, love, joy
Affirmation: “I choose to let go and let god. I choose to find gratitude in the moment”
Lord, give me the courage to surrender my unforgivness. I know you care about what I care about and understand how I feel.
Blaming: Being Blamed is to be held responsible; accused; or held guilty for something. Blaming another is to hold responsible; accuse; find fault with. Putting responsibility on someone or something else to avoid taking responsibility. This is a key emotion in creating a victim mentality and can cause a deterioration of personal power. Blaming the self is finding fault with oneself, which can lead to feelings of self-abuse, depression, etc.
Opposite emotion: balance
Lord, you make me new. You also make others new. I trust the you are working in areas I don’t see.
Conflict: Internal Conflict is a mental and emotional struggle within the self, arising from opposing demands or impulses. (e.g. He was feeling conflicted about whether or not to take the new job) External Conflict is to fight; to disagree or be disagreeable; to struggle or battle against; to antagonize. Prolonged strife or struggle. (e.g. She and her ex-husband experience continual conflict about custody of their children).
Opposite emotion: Peace
Affirmation: I am at peace.
Father, bring peace to my mind, spirit, and heart. Allow it to consume and overwhelm me.
Confusion: A disoriented feeling; foggy thinking; chaos; lack of distinctness or clearness; perplexity; bewilderment; a disturbed mental state.
Opposite emotion: focus
Affirmation: I am at peace. His peace rests in me and on me.
Creative Insecurity: Feeling unsafe or untrusting the self about the creation or development of anything- relationships, family, health, money, career and/or artistic endeavors. A feeling of insecurity that arises and blocks the creative process. (e.g. writerʼs block).
Opposite emotion: security / creativity
Affirmation: I move forward with ease.
God allow me to see in nature your creativity.
Crying: The (often) involuntary act of expressing a strong emotion; a response to pain or suffering (emotional or physical). A response to or expression of helplessness. A physical sensation felt in the throat, chest and/or diaphragm. Often becomes trapped when one does not allow him/herself to cry (i.e. suppressing this reaction or stuffing it down).
Opposite emotion: speaking out (movement of words or breath)
Affirmation: It is safe to feel this emotion, allow it to surface and feel it move through my body alongside my breath.
I choose to feel this emotion even if I don’t understand it. It does not belong locked up inside of me. God sees me, knows me, and hears me. He comforts me and guides me to his good gifts.
Defensiveness: A state of resisting attack or protecting oneself; being sensitive to the threat of criticism or injury to one's ego; being on guard against real or imagined threats to one's person, physical and/or emotional.
Opposite emotion: Receptive
Affirmation: I am willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas.
1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Isaiah 54:17
Depression: A state of being sad, gloomy, low in spirits, dejected. Often a secondary emotion caused by “anger turned inward” at the self and feelings of shame and guilt, etc.
Opposite emotion: alive
Affirmation: I am glad I am alive.
practice gratitude for life
Despair: A complete loss of hope; misery; difficult or unable to be helped or comforted.
Opposite emotion: dignity & encouragement
Affirmation: I am open to guidance
Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 30:5 Guide me, Lord, I trust your plan.
Discouragement: Feeling a lack of courage, hope or confidence; disheartened, dispirited. Losing the nerve to try or attempt something.
Opposite emotion: vision
Affirmation: I refocus my energy.
God didn’t tell Joshua to not FEEL discouraged but to not BE discouraged. When we “be” we are shifting our identity. He cares about how we feel but is more concerned with our focus on who HE is and who he says we are.
Disgust: A feeling of loathing; when good taste or moral sense is offended; a strong aversion. (e.g. She felt disgusted when the killer was acquitted).
Opposite emotion: empowerment
Affirmation: I am in the process of seeing the purpose
Dread: Fear of something that is about to happen; apprehension as to something in the future, usually real but sometimes unknown. (e.g. He dreaded going to the high school reunion and facing the bullies who had tormented him).
Opposite emotion: passion
Affirmation: I embrace who God has made me to be and am safe, I can trust his provision and step out in faith with what he has put in my heart/spirit.
Effort Unreceived: When one's work, achievement, attempts or endeavors are not accepted or recognized; when one's best effort is not considered good enough; a feeling of being unappreciated. Not feeling approved of or validated.
Opposite emotion: acknowledgment
Affirmation: I am enough.
Ask God to remind you of how much he adores you.
Failure: When one falls short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, or desired; (e.g. The failure of a marriage or other relationship, being fired, bankruptcy, performing poorly in athletics, art, academics, etc.)
Opposite emotion: growth
Affirmation: I accept growth. I am learning as I go.
Psalm 40:2-3
Fear: A strongly distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil or pain; the threat may be real or imagined.
Opposite emotion: faith & awareness.
Affirmation: I can face the unknown without knowing.
Jeremiah 29:11
Forlorn: Miserable; sad and lonely by reason of abandonment, desolation or emptiness; hopeless; forsaken.
Opposite emotion: hope.
Affirmation: There is a way out, and I have hope.
Hebrews 11:11, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 103:5
Frustration: Exasperation; being stuck or unable to progress; feeling blocked from causing a change or achieving an objective or goal.
Opposite emotion: accomplishment
Affirmation: I move beyond my limitations: list all you have accomplished big and small. CELEBRATE them.
Lord, help me see all the blessings. Help me see all the areas I have grown and succeeded…remind me of these things and give me appreciative eyes to see.
Grief: Intense emotional suffering caused by loss, disaster, misfortune, etc.; an acute sorrow and deep sadness. A universal reaction to bereavement. Also can be feeling harassed, vexed or exasperated (e.g. if someone gives you grief).
Opposite emotions: happy
Affirmation: change brings growth
Even though grief is hard and comes in many deep layers, Lord, you offer change and growth. Protect me under your wing as I shift and move towards happiness.
Guilt: The feeling of having done wrong or committed an offense. Feeling responsible for the harmful actions of another (e.g., abuse, parents' divorce, death, etc.) Often accompanied by feelings of depression, shame and self-abuse.
Opposite emotion: freedom
Affirmation: I learn from all of life’s experiences
Lord, give me your wisdom and clarity to learn from what I am feeling.
Hatred: To loathe; despise; great dislike or aversion. Often comes as a result of “hurt love”. Often hatred is of a situation rather than a person (e.g. hatred of anotherʼs behavior, unjust circumstances, etc.) Self-hatred creates destructive behaviors and illnesses.
Opposite emotion: forgiveness
Affirmation: I am forgiven, I choose to forgive “insert name”.
Have a conversation about this in prayer.
Heartache: Anguish and pain of the heart; distress usually as a result of difficulty or sadness in a relationship. Felt as a crushing or burning physical sensation in the chest.
Opposite emotion: ecstasy
Affirmation: I open up my heart to receive positivity and life.
I am willing to accept your truth and love.
Helplessness: Being unable to help oneself; being without the aid or protection of another. Having little strength or personal power. A common emotion for those suffering from a “victim mentality”. Feeling unable to change oneʼs circumstances or state.
Opposite emotion: powerful
Affirmation: I am empowered.
I have royalty in my blood! Psalm 37:23-24
Hopelessness: Devoid of hope; having no expectation of good; having no remedy or cure; no prospect of change or improvement.
Opposite Emotion: hopeful.
Affirmation: There is a way out, and I feel empowered to move towards it. (ask yourself what moving towards hope looks like: asking for help, creating new routines, establishing goals, inviting someone into your situation)
Horror: A strong emotion of alarm, disgust, or outrage caused by something frightful or shocking (e.g. an event of extreme violence, cruelty, or macabre.)
Opposite emotion: harmony
Affirmation: I am safe.
God, you do not agree with the bad in this world. Show me goodness, show me your character.
Humiliation: A painful loss of pride, dignity or self-respect; to feel mortified; embarrassed.
Opposite emotion: honor
Affirmation: I have divine qualities because I was created in his image
Hebrews 12:2 , Corinthians 12:9
Indecisiveness: An inability to make a decision; wavering back and forth between one choice or another. Stems from distrust of the self or doubting the ability to make a good decision.
Opposite emotion: clarity
Affirmation: My feelings and thoughts matter. What I know is good. I can trust what my mind and body is telling me.
Insecurity: A lack of confidence; self-conscious; shy. Feeling unsafe from danger or ridicule.
Opposite emotion: being in security
Affirmation: Only my father in heaven gets to define who I am. I am a child of PROMISE. I am free. I am beautiful. I am a princess of the one true queen. I am a warrior and satan can not and will not steal, kill or destroy who god created me to be.
Jealousy: Resentful and envious of someone's success, achievements, or advantages. Having suspicious fears; fears of rivalry or unfaithfulness. Results from a fear of not being loved and/or from insecurity.
Opposite emotion: movement
I am free to move forward.
Lack of Control: Lacking restraint or direction; unable to regulate or command; a feeling that someone or something else determines your course.
Opposite emotion: growth
Affirmation: I am aware and my direction is clear
Proverbs 23:26, 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 11:28
Longing: To have a strong desire or craving; a yearning or pining; aching for; to miss someone or something; to want something you do not have (e.g. She longed for a different life).
Opposite emotion: embracement
Affirmation: I am receptive.
2 Peter 3:9 / Psalm 90:14
Lost: Unable to see the correct or acceptable course; having no direction. Physically lost most often shows up from childhood- (e.g. being lost in the woods and canʼt find the way home, etc.) Emotionally lost refers to a feeling of being unable to see what the right decision or direction, being unable to find emotional stability (e.g. He felt lost after his wife died; She hasnʼt done anything with her life, she seems really lost.)
Opposite emotion: direction
I connect with my inner knowing. I can trust myself and the direction that feels safe. Even when I am unsure of the “right” direction, I trust that I am in the process of finding a direction fitting for my transition.
Lord, thank you for always finding me when I am lost.
Love Unreceived: A feeling that love expressed is or has been rejected. Feeling unwanted, not cared for; not accepted; a lack of love where it is desired.
Opposite emotion: known
Affirmation: I am fully known by my creator.
Psalm 136:23, Jeremiah 31:3-4, Ephesians 3:17-19
Low Self-Esteem: A low appraisal of oneʼs own worth or value; feeling and focusing on oneʼs flaws; holding a feeling of disrespect for the self; not confident; lack of self-love.
Opposite emotion: humility
Affirmation: I allow myself to be real.
God, remind me who you authentically created me to be.
Lust: Intense sexual desire or appetite; an overwhelming want or craving (e.g., lust for power); passion; to covet.
Opposite emotion: contentment
not empty or deprived. There is fruit in my life. I am grateful for *******. His time is perfect and right now I have everything I need, and I trust that.
Nervousness: Unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive; fearful; timid; to feel jumpy or on edge.
Opposite emotion: faith
Affirmation: I face the unknown because that’s where God is & I have faith he is already there.
Affirmation: will not stress over the things I cannot control. I am excited about this, not nervous.
Overjoy: Intense delight or elation which is too overpowering for the body; joy that it is a shock to the system.This one emotion will appear for any and all positive emotions that have become trapped.
Opposite Emotion: safety
Affirmation: I am safe to feel this emotion.
Overwhelm: To be overpowered in mind or emotion; extreme stress; feeling overpowered with superior force; feeling excessively burdened.
Opposite emotion: vision
Affirmation: I choose to focus my energy here (whatever that is) and not on the many other things. It’s okay to make boundaries that help me feel safe.
Isaiah 41:10, hebrews 13:8, Psalm 46:1
Panic: A sudden, overwhelming fear that produces hysterical behavior, unreasonably fearful thoughts or physical symptoms such as trembling and hyperventilation; a strong feeling of impending doom.
Opposite emotion: tranquil
Affirmation: Peace, be still.
Come to me all who are weary…step into his presence
Peeved: Irritated; annoyed; exasperated; irked; aggravated; ticked off.
Opposite emotion: detachment/removing yourself from the situation
Affirmation: It’s okay to feel these feelings but I am can move through them.
I stand in the grace, mercy, and power of God. I am his blood line and have access to his super natural peace. He is a just God and will judge those accordingly!
Pride: An overly high esteeming of oneself for some real or imagined merit or superiority; vanity (an excessive desire to be noticed, praised, or approved); feeling better than others; haughty; non-teachable; has to be right; expects more credit than earned; or treats others with disdain or contempt. Having a healthy amount of pride (self-respect or self-esteem) is a good thing, and this type of pride usually doesnʼt show up as a trapped emotion (although it may show up if oneʼs healthy pride is injured).
Opposite emotion: resolution:
Affirmation: I can learn from all experiences. I have strength and wisdom from my experiences.
Rejection: Feeling denied, refused or rebuffed; discarded as useless or unimportant; cast out; unwanted; forsaken.
Opposite emotion: acceptance.
Affirmation: I am wanted, loved, and cared for.
Resentment: A feeling of displeasure or indignation at someone or something regarded as the cause of injury or insult; bitter for having been treated unfairly; unwilling to forgive. Often this emotion comes along with animosity (ill-will that displays itself in action, strong hostility or antagonism).
Opposite emotion: embracement
I embrace the good and bad. I have space for both.
Lord, show me how to hold the good and bad and what that looks like to move forward in it.
Sadness: Unhappy; sorrowful; mournful; affected by grief.
Opposite emotion: joy
Affirmation: I see the humor in the situation.
Jesus help me see where you are during sad moments, help me smile because of your love for me. Help me laugh and feel joy!
Self-Abuse: Abusing the self emotionally includes negative self-talk (e.g. “Iʼm such an idiot.”), blaming the self, etc. Abusing the self physically includes mistreating the body by use of addictive substances; to not care for the body by lack of sleep, proper diet or nutrition; to work beyond what one can or should endure; to punish or tax oneself excessively. This abuse may help atone for "sins", real or imagined, and usually is driven by anger. Illnesses can be forms of self-abuse (e.g., "I don't deserve to be healed.")
I am statements: I am healthy. I appreciate my curves. I love my smile. My eyes are gorgeous. I challenge you to find a few ares of your self you can celebrate when you look in the mirror.
Shame: A feeling of being wrong, defective or disreputable. The painful feeling of having done or experienced something dishonorable, improper or foolish; disgrace; humiliation; a cause for regret. The lowest vibration of all the emotions. Leads to guilt, depression and even suicide.
Opposite emotion: self love
Affirmation: I am not damaged. My body is good. I am enough. What I am feeling is real but it doesn’t define who I can become. I can separate my worth from my circumstance. I am worth it, I am enough.
Shock: A sudden or violent disturbance of the emotions or sensibilities; extreme surprise; to feel traumatized or stunned.
Opposite emotion: growth
Affirmation: it is safe to grow and move through this
Sorrow: A sad regret; distress caused by loss, disappointment or grief; to feel or express grief, unhappiness, or sadness.
Opposite emotion: peace & balance
I am in balance.
Jesus, show me how to balance the sorrow in my life with your peace.
Stubbornness: Being difficult; unbendable; unable or unwilling to forgive; obstinate; headstrong; resistant.
Opposite emotion: flexible.
I can see other perspectives and choose to grow.
Taken for Granted: Feels treated with careless indifference; not given thanks or for something accomplished, similar to ignored.
Opposite emotion: self acknowledgement
Affirmation: It is safe to be me and to take care of me.
Terror: Intense, sharp, overmastering fear; extreme fright; alarm.
Opposite emotion: safety
Affirmation: I surrender to how I feel, it is safe to feel.
Unsupported: Lack of support, help or encouragement; not provided for by another; not defended when help is needed; feeling the burden is too heavy to bear alone, etc.
Opposite emotion: secure.
Affirmation: I take personal responsibility and open my heart to support. I am safe to feel this moment but to also move towards support.
Jesus, show me how you are supporting me right now.
Unworthy: Not good enough; beneath the dignity of; not commendable or credible; undeserving; not valuable or suitable; unbecoming.
Opposite emotion: release
Affirmation: I release thoughts of not good enough. I am enough. I am full of worth. I am valuable, cute, kind, loving, and an image of my Creator. Because he is whole, so am I. I believe in myself and who he created to be.
Vulnerability: Feeling susceptible to harm, either emotional or physical; unsafe; unstable.
Opposite emotion: whole
Affirmation: I am filled with the holy spirit, and in my weakness his strength is made perfect. I am whole in my mind, body, emotions, and spirit because he is whole.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Wishy Washy: Weak, spiritless; undecided irresolute; without strength of character. To lack conviction; without a backbone.
Opposite emotion: free
Affirmation: I am free to be me and allow myself to see a direction
Worry: Dwelling on difficulty or troubles; unease or anxiety about a situation or a person; extreme concern over potential problems; concern about a loved one in possible distress.
Opposite emotion: abundance
Affirmation: I am grateful for “ “
Matthew 6:34
Worthless: Of no importance or value; without excellence of character, quality or esteem; serving no purpose.
Opposite emotion: approval
Affirmation: I am valuable. I am full of worth. Because he is whole, so am I. I am not damaged. I believe in myself and who he created me to be. He approves of me.