You must be able to detach from other people’s moods in order to take care of yourself in relationships. People can use their moods to control you: to make you feel guilty, to make you feel responsible for them, to make you do what they want, and to keep you from taking care of yourself and living your life.

Here are some comments from people who have allowed others to determine their moods:

My mood is directly related to everyone else’s mood. I find it hard to be happy when anyone in my family is unhappy, and the sad part is that I am naturally a happy go lucky person!

When my spouse is in a bad mood, I ask him what is wrong. He usually says “Nothing.” Then I get in a bad mood because I know something is wrong and then he tells me that his bad mood is my fault and I question myself and wonder if I really did cause him to be miserable. It’s a vicious cycle.

Moods are particularly difficult to detach from unless you really grasp this concept. When other people are unhappy, pouting, self-pitying, angry, frustrated, or just plain miserable, it is because of how they are handling their own emotions. They can try to blame it on you, but you don’t have to accept it because you didn’t cause it, and it isn’t your problem to fix. They can CHOOSE to feel and behave a different way, and it is their responsibility to do so. You can stay detached, choose to feel how you feel apart from the mood and set boundaries if needed.

Detaching from other people’s moods is the only way you can take care of yourself and not fall into the trap of becoming moody yourself. When someone is in a “mood,” it is important to remember that you didn’t cause it, you don’t have to fix it, and you don’t have to argue with it. You don’t have to be in a “mood” yourself either. Have a good day by detaching from other people’s moods.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me to detach from other people’s moods to take care of me. Give me discernment to know that I didn’t cause their moods, cannot fix their moods, and don’t have to argue with their moods.

Relationship Devotional Challenge

•  When someone is in a mood, ask yourself what you were feeling before you noticed their mood and then choose to continue feeling that way.
• The next time someone is in a “mood,” detach.

Scripture Meditation

 
Proverbs 22:24-25

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared” (NIV).