Let’s be honest, emotions can get the best of us sometimes. God made us rational and emotional beings, so it’s ok to feel and pay attention to our feelings. What gets tricky is when we allow are emotions to control us which causes us to sin, simply because we’re upset.
We as a society have made a habit out of giving our emotions free reign and they end up controlling our lives and each day we are wasting precious time that we can NEVER get back. Allowing our emotions to take charge causes the selfish nature of the flesh to come out.
Of course, it doesn’t happen overnight but we have to begin somewhere. It takes work and we’re all selfish in one way or another. I’m not trying to be harsh but if you take a second to be self-aware and ask yourself when you notice you are upset, why? Because someone didn’t do what you wanted or things didn’t work out on your timeline?Most of the time when we get upset it’s more than likely derived from SELFISHNESS. Not always, but for the most part.
To manage our emotions in a biblical way, we need to stop pondering on sinful thoughts and instead meditate on the truth of God’s Word. I believe getting control of our emotions is one of the keys that unlock the happiness that we all seem to be seeking throughout our lives.
I’m not saying we should completely ignore our emotions. Managing them isn't the same as suppressing them. Ignoring your sadness, pretending you don't feel pain or saying well let’s not talk about that anymore won't make those emotions go away. In fact, it can make things worse by holding these emotions in. We do have to face our emotions but we don’t have to allow them to control us. So how do we do this? We have to exercise our self-control. God gives us self control, it’s one of the fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
When our emotions start bubbling up, there are two things we can choose to do. Respond or react and there is a huge difference between the two. When we allow emotions to control us, that is when the “blow-up” moments happen. In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to recognize how much power we are giving our emotions. Later we look back and think “dang I completely overreacted on that one!”
Think of it this way…reacting is quick, and responding is slow. Reacting requires zero thought and zero time. (James 1: 19-20) Responding allows us a minute or two to allow our emotions to breathe a bit, ask the Lord to give you the appropriate words and decide the best way to handle the situation. When we respond, we do so based on the rational side of us, which is the true side of us that is made in the image of God. Then we have time to reason and be compassionate towards others. (Proverbs 29:11)
I’ve learned that a lot of times reacting in outbursts stems from hurt, fear, and insecurities. When we understand that, and we see a loved one reacting in that way then we can learn to not take things so personal which allows us to be quicker to forgive as well. (I understand there are some situations where abuse is involved and when that’s the case, get out!) We can only control ourselves, not others but others can learn and follow by watching us walk in the spirit and exercise our self-control.
Many scriptures teach this. Proverbs 20:3 says “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but only a fool will quarrel.” Foolish people find it impossible to avoid strife.
No matter how foolish we are God gives us the spirit of self-control, some days it may be harder to dig around to find. However, the more we exercise it the easier it becomes.
Below are a few of the scriptures that sparked this particular subject and God gave me the words God faster than I could write. Being mindful and self-aware of our weaknesses is always difficult but I believe we have to try harder, to do better, to become better, to become more like Jesus.
Proverbs 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
James 1: 19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Galatians 5:17
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.