Emotions can be a powerful force in our lives, if we allow ourselves to be guided by them. It is not my desire to state that any emotion/feeling is wrong. However, as Christian women we are to be guided by the word of God and not how we feel. There are times when our emotions can be in conflict with the word of God/will of God.
In Matthew 5, Jesus talks about how sin begins in the heart (James 1:12-16) and often with our emotions. We live in a world where lust,love, angry, jealousy, bitterness/unforgiveness, fear and etc. have become common place. Yet, Jesus taught us that despite how we may feel and despite how we may have been mistreated that we are to love.
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:38-48
So what do you do when you feel overwhelmed by an emotion1. Pray and talk to God about it. There is nothing too big or too small for him.
2. Think on good things.(Phillipians 4:
It's so easy to go from a feeling to thoughts that take root in your heart and result in sin. Let Phillipians 4:8 be your guide for your thoughts.
3. Any thoughts, feelings or day dreams that don't align with Phillipians 4:8 should be cast down. I Corinthians 19 tells us that we are to cast down any imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and to bring into captivity ever thought to the obedience of Christ.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phillipians 4:6-8
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
An emotion is often a one sided snap shot of what
we see in a situation but we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). We trust in God (Proverbs 3:5-6) and know that He works everything out for our good (Romans 8:28), even when we can't see the resolution with our eyes. He is able.
