Emotions are mentioned within the Bible in several Scriptures. Although, it’s not mentioned in ways where someone is having a thought-out therapeutic section, the Bible has the wisdom that we (as humans) can apply whenever we are facing emotional challenges. I wanted to let you know that it’s true that God doesn’t call those who are qualified, but qualifies those who are called. Whomever stated that, is speaking truth and I claim it as truth over our lives. Now, we can say the same phrase and words, but we have the same gift: The Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, all knowledge, and all wisdom.
I came to tell you today, that your emotions aren’t your God. Your emotions shouldn’t dictate what next steps you take in the Lord (in Jesus, since you’re a new creation in Christ Jesus: Gal 2:20), you no longer live but Christ lives in you and the life you live in the flesh, you live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself up for you. I’m here to let you know that everything is going to be okay. You don’t need to fear public reproach, negative comments, bullying comments, anything thrown at you just because you decide to share your faith with others. Know that you’ll always be supported by God and those in authority over your life. Whenever you need help, don’t hesitate to call those in authority over your life so they can pray over you, especially in moments where you’re having emotional breakdowns.
I wanted to let you know that emotions are anything that you feel. Feelings can be portrayed in these ways:
–anger
–sadness
–worried
–fear
–moody
If you’re having thoughts of depression and anything else that is bad, it’s not a set of emotions but a set of spiritual warfare. I suggest putting on the whole armor of God like God’s word says so you’d be able to stand up against the darts of the devil and his schemes. I don’t want to hear that you’re tired, that you want to give up on life and God. I want to hear you zealous, passionate about the word of God, about your ministry, about raising disciples for His glory, honor, and purposes. I don’t want to hear you’re tired of hearing sermons every Sunday afternoon, night or morning. I don’t want to hear you’re giving up on your marriage and family since they’re your first ministry before church congregation. I don’t want to hear things are going tough for you and you’re deciding to throw in the towel (in other words: surrender to defeat completely). I want to hear you RISE UP! I want to hear that you’re passionate to see soul saves, to see a revival occur, to see the devil cast out of a lot of people in churches. I want to hear you start off your ministry in the right ways, right forms, it starts with your emotional management.
A leader when phased with adversity and tough trials must know very well the word of God and what the word of God has to say in regards to how to manage your emotions for the better. I’m going to leave you with a task, I want you to look up scriptural texts throughout the Bible, stating how to manage your emotions without it being a subtitle before those Scriptures. I need you to have a practice of fully surrendering your search for answers to a mindset of: “I want to prepare for my calling because I have this burning sensation inside of me to do the Lord’s will and do it right.” If you stumbled upon this post is because you’re looking for answers in a place unknown and I want to tell you you’re not alone! For the same sufferings, you’ve had have been in your brethren worldwide. We feel your pain! We know what you’re going through and we are praying for you to stand strong in your faith and keep running this race! The love of Jesus is over your life and ministry. Don’t give up now, don’t give up later, don’t give up afterward.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not for the weak. But for those who decided to allow God to turn their weaknesses into strengths for the advancement of His kingdom agenda. For when we are weak, He’s strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
If your emotions are a stumbling block to your calling, here are things you can do:
–Pray even more.
–Fast even more.
–Look up Scriptures even more.
–Worship God even more. With worship music, not worship Christian rap. But calm, soothing music or spontaneous worship. You can look this up on Youtube in your language. If you need to listen to Gospel rap as motivation, go ahead. But worship time is worship time. Not encouragement time.
–Declare truth over your life and circumstance.
–Look to God for answers day and night until He gives you a response. Remember Daniel would pray to God three times in a day, looking for His face. Let’s take him as an example of how much devotion we should be giving to God the Father in our downtimes and times of emotional breakdowns.
–Talk to elders in the church whom you know God has placed over your life to guide and lead you into victory. You’re not alone in this! God will never give you people who will lead you away from His will for your life. Trust God!
–Talk to your leadership in your church. They’ll know how to hear God’s voice and cry out to God with you in regard to your matter. But you should be seeking God 1st out of respect for Him and His Sovereignty (He does as He pleases).
–Study God’s Word (but don’t do too much. Don’t try to make hasty decisions). Take your time and give Him the glory.
–Examine your character and ask God what’s in your heart He needs to change.
If your emotions become your god, ask God to help you put Him 1st and not how you feel nor how you react toward circumstances at the moment. Learn to shake the weight you’ve placed on yourself off in order to look to God who created you for such a time as this and has not left you nor forsake you.
Emotions are not bad, but when we allow them to dictate our lives instead of God, consequences will occur.
Let’s see what the Bible says in regard to the emotions I’ve mentioned in a brief moment in this blog post:
Anger: Proverbs 16:32-He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (kjv)
-> We can see that being slow to become angry is better than someone who is big. The person that takes control of their Spirit and rules over it in a rightful manner is better than someone who takes territory and land.
Sadness: James 5:13-Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
-> Pray when you feel sad.
Worried: 1 Peter 5:7- Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (kjv)
->Worried? Give it to God. Vent to God because God truly and genuinely cares about you.
Fear: 2 Timothy 1:7-For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (kjv)
->Fear? Fear that’s natural fear is an instinct God has given us. But fear of things we can’t control and what we can’t see or what we can see but God is telling us not to fear? Is what we should avoid fearing. God gave us His Spirit that has supernatural power, filled with abundant love and a sound mind through His Holy Word.
Moody: Psalm 42:11-Why are thou cast down, O my soul? and why are thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (kjv)
->God can lift your spirit up. Trust Him to make you smile.
Ministry is giving out to others, learning how to work with others but also learning how to work alongside God for a mission only He can sustain. So I would say, own up to however you feel and apply what’s been given to you as knowledge.
Hope this helps you combat your emotions and you focus on the main goal: serving God no matter how you feel and serving others no matter how you feel.
For the heart is deceitful above all things and really wicked -> it’s not reliable and it leads us to stray from God’s will and commandments. Quoting Jeremiah 17:9 if you’d like to read it in your own time. Wishing you the best in your endeavors!
Sincerely,
Your sister in the faith