Mastering Emotions Through Faith and Understanding
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound impact of emotions on our lives and how to manage them effectively. Emotions, while a natural part of our human experience, can often be misleading and lead us astray if not properly understood and managed. The key to mastering our emotions lies in challenging them, understanding their origins, and aligning them with the teachings of Christ.
We began by acknowledging that emotions should not be accepted at face value. Instead, we should challenge them by asking critical questions: What is the real reason behind this feeling? Is it true? Is it helping or hurting me? By doing so, we can discern whether our emotions are based on reality or misconceptions. David, in the Psalms, often asked God to evaluate his feelings, recognizing that God understands us better than we understand ourselves.
Furthermore, having a trusted friend who can challenge our emotions is invaluable. This person can provide an objective perspective, helping us see beyond our immediate feelings. We also discussed the importance of identifying the triggers of our emotions and whether they are rooted in past experiences or current situations.
The next step is to either change or channel our emotions. Some emotions are destructive and need to be changed, while others can be channeled for good. For instance, anger over injustice can be transformed into a passion for advocacy and change. The ultimate goal is to align our emotions with the character of Christ, dismissing any feelings that do not reflect His nature.
Finally, we emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in managing our emotions. By asking God to fill us with His Spirit daily, we can cultivate the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This spiritual filling helps us respond to life's pressures with grace and wisdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Challenge Your Emotions: Emotions should not be accepted without scrutiny. Ask yourself if what you're feeling is true and helpful. This practice helps in discerning the reality of your emotions and aligning them with God's truth. [00:25]
- Seek God’s Perspective: Like David, invite God to evaluate your emotions. God knows the triggers and the truth behind your feelings, offering an impartial perspective that can guide you towards emotional clarity. [01:14]
- The Role of Trusted Friends: Having a friend who can challenge your emotions is crucial. This person can help you see beyond your immediate feelings and provide a loving, objective perspective. [02:04]
- Change or Channel Emotions: Some emotions need to be changed, while others can be channeled for good. Align your emotions with the character of Christ, dismissing those that do not reflect His nature. [09:13]
- Rely on the Holy Spirit: Daily ask God to fill you with His Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control—will help you manage your emotions and respond to life's pressures with grace. [15:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Challenge Your Emotions
- [00:41] - David's Example
- [01:14] - God's Perspective
- [01:49] - The Role of Friends
- [03:26] - Three Key Questions
- [05:15] - Is It Helping or Hurting?
- [08:29] - Tame or Change Emotions
- [09:32] - Align with Christ
- [10:53] - Channeling Negative Emotions
- [12:14] - Personal Testimony
- [14:16] - Not by Willpower
- [15:08] - Filled with the Spirit
- [18:44] - Manage Your Mouth
- [19:33] - Make God's Word Your Word
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 26:2 - "Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind."
2. Philippians 2:5 - "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."
3. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 26:2 suggest about the relationship between our emotions and God's understanding of them? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on seeking God’s perspective on our emotions? [01:14]
2. According to Philippians 2:5, what should our attitude be like, and how does this align with the sermon’s call to align our emotions with the character of Christ? [09:32]
3. How does Galatians 5:22-23 describe the fruits of the Spirit, and what role do they play in managing our emotions according to the sermon? [15:41]
4. In the sermon, what role does a trusted friend play in helping us manage our emotions, and how is this supported by the example of Job and his friend Eliphaz? [02:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might Psalm 26:2 guide someone in evaluating their emotions? What does it mean to have God "test" our motives and affections? [01:32]
2. What practical steps can be taken to align one's attitude with that of Christ as described in Philippians 2:5? How does this alignment affect our emotional responses? [09:48]
3. How can the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 be cultivated in daily life to help manage emotions? What specific actions can be taken to invite the Holy Spirit’s influence? [15:41]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can channel negative emotions for good, and what biblical examples support this approach? [11:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your emotions led you astray. How could asking the three key questions from the sermon have changed your response? [03:26]
2. Identify a trusted friend who can help you evaluate your emotions. How can you give them permission to challenge you, and what steps will you take to ensure this relationship is supportive? [02:04]
3. Choose one emotion that you struggle with. How can you align this emotion with the character of Christ, and what practical steps will you take to change or channel it? [09:32]
4. Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed by a strong emotion. How can inviting the Holy Spirit into your daily life help you manage such emotions in the future? [15:08]
5. Think of a person or situation that often triggers negative emotions in you. What specific fruit of the Spirit can you focus on cultivating to improve your response? [16:13]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of asking God to fill you with His Spirit into your daily routine? What changes do you anticipate this will bring to your emotional well-being? [15:08]
7. Reflect on a past experience of injustice or unfairness. How can you channel any lingering anger into a positive action or advocacy, as suggested in the sermon? [11:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Challenge Your Emotions
Emotions are a natural part of our human experience, but they can often mislead us if not properly understood and managed. To master our emotions, we must challenge them by asking critical questions: What is the real reason behind this feeling? Is it true? Is it helping or hurting me? By doing so, we can discern whether our emotions are based on reality or misconceptions. This practice helps in discerning the reality of your emotions and aligning them with God's truth. [00:25]
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." (Proverbs 28:26, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your emotions led you to a decision. How can you apply critical questioning to better understand and manage those emotions today?
Day 2: Seek God’s Perspective
Emotions should not be accepted at face value. Like David, invite God to evaluate your emotions. God knows the triggers and the truth behind your feelings, offering an impartial perspective that can guide you towards emotional clarity. By seeking God's perspective, you allow His wisdom to illuminate the true nature of your emotions, helping you to navigate them with grace and understanding. [01:14]
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: In your quiet time today, ask God to reveal any hidden emotions that need His truth. How can you invite Him to guide your emotional responses?
Day 3: The Role of Trusted Friends
Having a friend who can challenge your emotions is crucial. This person can help you see beyond your immediate feelings and provide a loving, objective perspective. Trusted friends can offer insights that you might overlook, helping you to process emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. Their support can be invaluable in aligning your emotions with the character of Christ. [02:04]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a trusted friend who can help you process your emotions. How can you reach out to them today for support and accountability?
Day 4: Change or Channel Emotions
Some emotions need to be changed, while others can be channeled for good. Align your emotions with the character of Christ, dismissing those that do not reflect His nature. For instance, anger over injustice can be transformed into a passion for advocacy and change. By channeling emotions constructively, you can use them to further God's purposes in your life and the world around you. [09:13]
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an emotion you frequently experience. How can you either change or channel it to align with Christ's character today?
Day 5: Rely on the Holy Spirit
Daily ask God to fill you with His Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—will help you manage your emotions and respond to life's pressures with grace. By relying on the Holy Spirit, you cultivate a heart that reflects Christ's nature, enabling you to navigate emotional challenges with wisdom and strength. [15:08]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate His fruits in your life today? How can this influence your emotional responses?
Quotes
how do I manage an unmanageable or an unwieldy or an unwanted feeling challenge it challenge it you challenge what you're feeling you don't just automatically accept what you're feeling you don't automatically assume that it's accurate you don't automatically assume that what you feel is the truth correct or even reality you challenge it is what I'm feeling do I really are things really as bad as I feel feel they are probably not or are things as really as good as I feel they are probably not so you need to ask yourself is you know some some questions you you challenge it [00:00:03]
David who wrote many of the Psalms often asks God to challenge his emotions now that's pretty smart since God understands you better than you do God knows what you're feeling even when you don't know it and God knows what triggered it even when you don't know what triggered that emotion and so if you say God I don't know what I'm feeling and I don't know where it came from but I need your help that's a good thing to do David often asked God to evaluate his feelings and since God is impartial God can help you out [00:01:14]
sometimes it's best to have a friend who can challenge what you're feeling now you got to have pretty close friend to do that have you given anybody in your life the permission to challenge your feelings or does everybody just have to be a Yes Man or yes woman to you that if you feel a certain way there's no room for are you sure are you sure are you sure that's a correct understanding a true friend is somebody you give permission to say are you sure about that they give you give them the ability to challenge your emotion [00:01:49]
let me give you three questions to ask about your own emotions when you're trying to figure out how to deal with how I feel okay so let's say you're going let's say you're angry or you're upset or you're irritated or you're frustrated or you're depressed or or whatever you ask these three questions number one what's the real reason the real reason that I'm feeling this and that goes back to what we were talking earlier you know maybe it's fear maybe it's worry maybe it's hooked into something that your dad said to you years and years and years ago [00:03:26]
you need to ask yourself I know I'm frustrated right now with this person in my life but is expressing my frustration to them going to actually make the change and and I'm going to get what I want out of this no it is not that's called managing your emotions you've got you've got to name it here's here's what I'm feeling and and here's the trigger and then you've got to challenge it what's the real reason I feel this way is it true is it helping me or is it hurting me and then the third thing you got to do is you got to tame it or change it [00:08:29]
some emotions are so destructive so damaging so hurtful so non-effective the only attitude only thing you can do is just change it you got to change what you're feeling look at this verse on the screen Philippians 2:5 says this your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus so your attitude that includes your emotions what you're feeling should be the same as that of Jesus so you ask yourself how would Jesus feel in the situation would Jesus get irritated with this waitress no would Jesus be yelling at the person no [00:09:32]
sometimes you can even take a negative emotion that you're feeling and rather than change it you Channel it you Channel it what does that mean you use it for good for instance let's say you have been the victim of Injustice you have experienced Prejudice maybe racial profiling you have experienced unfairness in the classroom unfairness because you're a man or a woman or a different color from somebody else or whatever let's but you've had something unfair in your life and you naturally the emotion's going to come up in you is anger that's a legitimate response [00:10:53]
every day ask God to fill me with his Spirit every single day I don't get out of bed my feet don't touch the ground without me saying Holy Spirit fill me today I need your spirit in my life because it's not by might nor my power not will power but by my spirit I'm going to be able to manage my moods and my emotions today Galatians 5:22 and 23 says this when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us love joy peace we could stop right there I'll just take those three patience anybody need that one [00:15:08]
when the Holy Spirit controls our life he fills you with this when you're filled with love joy peace patience gentleness goodness faithfulness meekness self-control that's a whole lot better than being filled with anger worry fear guilt shame an uh worry and all these other things so what about it when you're put put under pressure at work at home or anywhere else do you know what comes out of you whatever's inside you and if you're filled with worry fear doubt loneliness Envy jealousy bitterness gossip when the world puts on pressure you know what's going to come out [00:16:37]
make God's word my word in other words begin to put the words of the Bible into your mind memorize some verses write them down on little cards and memorize them write underline verses in your Bible read the Bible every day listen to the Bible subscribe to DriveTime devotions get the word of God and you every day feed yourself on the word of God because then when his word becomes your word you're going to see Miracles take place in your life Psalm 11911 says this I have hidden your word in my heart what's your heart that's where your emotions are [00:19:33]
Lord I know that my feelings are often unreliable and I I don't want to build my life on feelings I want to build my life on your truth I don't want to be manipulated by other people or by Satan or I don't want to be manipulated even by my own old nature but I want to be self-controlled and alert more than that Lord I want to please you and I want to do the things that please you and I want you to be the Lord of my emot emotions and I want to succeed in life by being controlled by your will not by my feelings [00:22:43]
help me to realize the real reason that I feel what I'm feeling and to challenge my emotions and not just automatically accept them and then help me to change or Channel what needs to be changed and channel what could be used for good dear God beginning right now I'm asking you to fill me with your Holy Spirit I want my life to be filled with love not hate with peace not chaos with joy not sorrow and with patience not impatience Lord I want to be kind fill me with goodness fill me with faith fill me with gentleness fill me with self-control [00:24:41]
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