Stress: “When Stress Strikes: 7 Powerful Ways to Reset Before Emotions Hijack You”

IT Had 2 Happen Studios
May 8
3 min read

Stress response, emotional regulation, grounding, prayer for stress, reset emotions, calming techniques, Christian mindset, emotional wellness, anxiety relief, nervous system reset.

Dr. Erica Wilson | IT Had 2 Happen™ | May 8, 2025

In life’s high-pressure moments—when your heart races, your thoughts spiral, and your emotions threaten to take over—you’re not losing control, you’re responding to stress. But here’s the truth: you have the power to reset, to anchor your soul, and to reclaim peace in the storm.

God never designed us to live in survival mode. He offers us refuge, wisdom, and tools to help us walk in victory. Let’s explore seven transformative strategies to calm your nervous system, reconnect with God’s peace, and keep your emotions from hijacking your joy.

Your IT's happens to you but for you to share with others. - IT Had 2 Happen™

IH2H Tip #1 - 7 Ways to Reset Your Stress Response

1. Pause and Breathe Deeply

Inhale peace. Exhale tension. Try box breathing—inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.

“The breath of the Almighty gives me life.” – Job 33:4

2. Name the Emotion

Say, “I feel anxious,” or “I feel overwhelmed.” Naming it tames it.

When you acknowledge the feeling, your brain starts to calm.

3. Ground Yourself in the Present

Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method: 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.

This brings you out of anxiety and into the now.

4. Move or Shake It Out

Take a walk, stretch, or gently shake your arms. Moving your body helps release built-up cortisol.

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.” – Acts 17:28

5. Reframe the Moment

Ask: “Is this a real threat or a perceived one?” Reframing builds resilience and wisdom.

6. Use Prayer or Meditation

Center yourself with Scripture. Whisper Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know that I am God.”

Invite God into the moment. He’s near.

7. Affirm Your Safety

Say: “I am safe. I am loved. I can handle this through Christ.”

These truth-based affirmations create calm in your nervous system.

IH2H Tip #2 - Use Affirmations (here's one)

“I am not my stress. I am anchored in truth, grounded in peace, and empowered to reset through grace.”

Mel Robbins said it best: "You can't control how you feel. But you can always choose how you act." That choice is your power - and your peace. Mel Robbins

IH2H Tip #3 - What Happens

What would happen if I responded to stress not with fear, but with faith and presence?

How different would my life look if I mastered the pause?

IH2H Tip #4 - Pray About IT

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are my refuge in every storm. Teach me to breathe deeply in Your presence and to trust that I am safe in Your hands. When my emotions rise, help me reset—not with reaction, but with peace. Ground me in truth, anchor me in Your Word, and remind me that nothing can shake me outside of Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

IH2H Tip #5 - Call to Action

If this message helped you pause and breathe again, share it with a friend who might need the same peace today. And remember—you weren’t meant to survive in stress. You were created to thrive in grace.

Stay connected for more faith-fueled tools and join the movement at http://www.e ricawilsonih2h .com.

Disclaimer

This blog is for encouragement and educational purposes only and does not replace professional mental health advice. If you’re experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma, please consult a licensed counselor or healthcare provider.