Master Your Emotions
What are you feeling at this moment? Are you happy? Are you sad? Are you excited? Whatever you’re feeling at this time, your emotions were never designed to control you or determine who you are. You were created to be the master of your emotions. This principle can be found in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” Paul was teaching that you can determine how long your emotion of anger will last.
We are now in the third month of this great year and I feel to tell you that there are three moments in your life that you’ll need to master your emotions:
1. Master your emotions in moments of faith.
Our emotions are so natural to us that sometimes we allow them to determine whether we’ll believe God or not. If we don’t see a promise of God manifested or an expectation fulfilled in His Word, it can cause us to be disappointed and give up. However, God’s promises are never based on how we feel. They are based on what the Bible says. While we are using our faith, let us choose feelings of joy, excitement and expectation no matter how long it takes. Faith mixed with the right emotions give us the best results.
2. Master your emotions in moments of offense.
Everyone at some point in their life will get offended. I’m reminded of Cain and Abel who were brothers that presented their gifts to God. God respected Abel’s offering, but He did not respect Cain’s. This caused Cain to be offended with his brother. Though Abel did nothing to cause the offense, Cain decided to take his anger out on Abel and killed him. Here is something interesting: before Cain murdered his brother, God had a talk with him. This is what He told him, “6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7). He was showing Cain to master his emotions unless they get the best of him. When we decide to master our emotions, they’ll never be able to control us and cause us to make bad decisions.
3. Master your emotions moments of disappointments.
“Hope that is delayed makes you sad, but a wish that comes true fills you with joy.” - Proverbs 13:12 (Easy-to-Read Version)
Disappointments are a part of the ebbs and flows of life. They can cause sadness that can eventually lead to depression. Our responsibility is to rule over the emotion of sadness and not let it control our lives. The Apostle Paul once said, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” I added this quote to help you see the positive in moments of disappointment. When you see things from a higher perspective, you'll begin the process of mastering your feelings. You’ll easily go from disappointments to gratitude. Being grateful gives you the strength to move forward. If we continue to press on, we’ll achieve our goals and experience happiness and joy.
I want close this email by emphasizing you are in complete control of how you feel. Manage yourself in a way that will help you thrive and enjoy all your days the Heavenly Father has given you.
