How to Gain Control Over Your Emotions
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak to some high school interns at our local church.
For some this would seem like a great opportunity to pour into the next generation.
And it was.
But for me, speaking in front of people is difficult.
Like really difficult.
My emotions were all over the place. I knew God was opening a door for me to face my fears, but my thoughts and feelings were taking control.
All the what if’s began to plague my mind.
What if I mess up? What if I forget what I’m going to say?
My feelings were telling me to back down and sit this one out.
Have you ever been in a situation where you’re emotions took over?
I read something this week and was reminded of the importance of why we can’t let emotions rule us.
She says,
Anxiety is just one emotion that can entangle and choke the life out of you. So does depression, so does anger. As I’ve mentioned before emotions are meant to inform us – they are indicators to tell us what is wrong in our environment that we may need to change.
Usually the “change” that’s needed is a change in our perspective. And this is what God intended for our emotions – to draw us back to Him. He made no mistake in our design by implanting us with feelings.
He wants us to know Him as our Comforter when we are depressed, as the All Sufficient One when we are afraid, and as the God of Peace when we are angry.
What stops us from experiencing God in those ways is that we have allowed our emotions to become our god.
Neca Smith
Her last sentence was an eye opener for me….
When I let my emotions rule me, I’ve allowed them to become my god.
Neca Smith
She goes on to tell us 4 ways we can gain control over our emotions and allow God to work. You can read more of her post How to Keep Emotions from Controlling Your Life on her blog.
Wow. Did I need EVERY WORD of Neca’s post. Thank you for bringing it onto my spiritual radar today. Pinned and emailed to myself! And thank you for hosting this lovely link-up!
Yes!! It was so good! I think we all struggle in this area at some level. The truths she offers are so valuable!! Thanks for linking up today!
Thanks for sharing the post Alisa! Emotions can be such a trap at times so I’m glad that the post was beneficial to you! Thanks for featuring me in your Link-Up!
Hey Elizabeth! I”m so glad that this post was a blessing to you. I’ve been blessed to be able to help others struggling with emotions but I’ve also had my own…so let’s just say I’m well acquainted with the topic! LOL!
Excellent points, Neca – as in “OUCH!” I think I’m feeling emotional about your excellent points! I will share, too! and pray that I don’t make my emotions my god. He deserves to be the one and only. thanks!
LOL! Trust me…I hear your “Ouch” loud and clear! Our emotions can have our minds so muddled that we can’t see God clearly …but He always provides a clear pathway. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Alisa for sharing Neca’s post. So good — and so needed!
I agree, Michele! Thanks for visiting today!
Glad it was helpful Michele!
Neca, I loved your post. I was unable to leave a comment on your website. So I will leave it here.
I always go around saying Emotions/feelings are not facts, but I love the way you said,” Emotions are meant to inform us – they are indicators to tell us what is wrong in our environment that we may need to change.” I would like to add someone with a chemical imbalance may struggle to a higher degree and may still need meds to help regulate themselves, but everything you said would still apply.
I work with families that have a loved one with emotional dysregulation, and you spelled this out so well. I liked how you explained the primary and secondary emotions. This is key to really understanding what we emotion we are experiencing.
Thank you! I save it to my Pinterest account.
Thanks Maree! Working with families, I know you’ve seen emotions go awry inside and out! I agree with you about knowing and understanding what is the actual emotion we’re experiencing…once that’s identified,then the real work can be done. Also, thanks for letting me know about the comments…I’ll try to figure it out…I love technology! LOL! Please keep in touch!