Navigating Mixed Emotions on Our Spiritual Journey

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound topic of "Mixed Emotions" and how they play a significant role in our spiritual journey. Emotions are often perceived as negative, but they are, in fact, a part of God's creation. They are not inherently bad; rather, they are indicators that can guide us toward personal growth and spiritual maturity. We delved into the idea that emotions should not control us, but instead, we should learn to manage them with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on my personal journey, I shared how God healed my mind and marriage, demonstrating that we can overcome emotional turmoil through faith. Emotions are like a dashboard in our lives, signaling when something internally needs attention. Before the fall of man, emotions were pure and positive, but sin introduced negativity. However, through redemption, we have the power to transform negative emotions into opportunities for growth.

Philippians 4:4-7 reminds us to rejoice always and to let our reasonableness be known. This scripture emphasizes the importance of maintaining a level-headed approach, even in heated situations. We must choose to live above our emotions, allowing the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds. Our thoughts shape our emotions, and by renewing our minds, we can cultivate positive emotions even in challenging circumstances.

James 1:2-4 encourages us to count it all joy when we face trials, as they produce steadfastness. Personal growth cannot occur if we repeat emotional cycles. We must take responsibility for our emotions and allow God to work through us. Processing emotions can bring encouragement, as seen in 2 Corinthians 7:5-6, where God encourages those who are discouraged.

There is a time for every emotion, as Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 teaches us. Emotions are part of life's seasons, and we must learn to navigate them without being controlled by them. We are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles; we are part of the body of Christ, meant to support and encourage one another.

Ultimately, we must never allow our emotions to outweigh what we know. Our faith should be grounded in the unchanging Word of God, which provides stability amidst emotional fluctuations. By trusting in God's plan and allowing Him to deliver us from our struggles, we can emerge stronger and more beautiful, like a butterfly from its cocoon.

Key Takeaways:

- Emotions are not inherently negative; they are part of God's creation and can be indicators for personal growth. By managing them with the Holy Spirit's help, we can transform them into opportunities for spiritual maturity. [43:37]

- Our thoughts shape our emotions. By renewing our minds and focusing on positive, faith-filled thoughts, we can cultivate positive emotions even in challenging circumstances. [47:34]

- Personal growth requires breaking emotional cycles. We must take responsibility for our emotions and allow God to work through us, transforming trials into steadfastness. [59:51]

- Processing emotions can bring encouragement. In times of distress, we can find strength in God and the support of our faith community, reminding us that we are not alone. [01:12:05]

- There is a time for every emotion, and we must learn to navigate them without being controlled by them. Our faith should be grounded in the unchanging Word of God, providing stability amidst emotional fluctuations. [01:24:00]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:41] - Introduction and Friendship
[43:37] - Understanding Mixed Emotions
[47:34] - The Role of Emotions in Our Lives
[49:01] - Choosing to Control Emotions
[50:40] - Personal Testimony of Healing
[51:56] - Emotions as a Dashboard
[54:53] - Redemption and Emotions
[57:52] - Emotions as Gifts for Growth
[59:51] - Trials and Steadfastness
[01:01:17] - Breaking Emotional Cycles
[01:03:32] - Pressure and Faith
[01:06:06] - Personal Responsibility and Healing
[01:08:17] - Encouragement in Community
[01:12:05] - Encouraging Ourselves in the Lord
[01:14:58] - A Time for Every Emotion
[01:18:02] - Seasons of Emotions
[01:20:40] - Processing Emotions for Strength
[01:24:00] - Faith Over Feelings
[01:26:58] - Prayer and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Mixed Emotions

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 4:4-7
2. James 1:2-4
3. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Philippians 4:4-7, what are the steps mentioned to maintain peace in our hearts and minds? How does this relate to managing our emotions? [47:34]

2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal testimony about how God healed his mind and marriage. What role did emotions play in his journey, and how did he learn to manage them? [50:40]

3. James 1:2-4 talks about counting it all joy when facing trials. What does the passage say about the purpose of trials and their impact on personal growth? [59:51]

4. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 mentions a time for every emotion. How does this passage help us understand the natural ebb and flow of emotions in our lives? [01:14:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of rejoicing always, as mentioned in Philippians 4:4-7, challenge our natural response to negative emotions? What does it mean to let our reasonableness be known to everyone? [47:34]

2. The pastor mentioned that emotions are like a dashboard in our lives. How can this analogy help us better understand and manage our emotions? [51:56]

3. In James 1:2-4, the idea of trials producing steadfastness is presented. How can this perspective change the way we view difficult situations in our lives? [59:51]

4. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 speaks of a time for every emotion. How can recognizing the seasons of emotions help us navigate our spiritual journey more effectively? [01:14:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where your emotions got the better of you. How could you have applied Philippians 4:4-7 to manage your emotions differently? [47:34]

2. The pastor shared a story about learning to control his emotions in his marriage. Think of a relationship in your life where emotions often run high. What practical steps can you take to manage your emotions better in that relationship? [50:40]

3. James 1:2-4 encourages us to find joy in trials. Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth? [59:51]

4. Consider the different seasons of emotions mentioned in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. What season are you currently in, and how can you embrace it as part of your spiritual journey? [01:14:58]

5. The pastor emphasized the importance of community in processing emotions. How can you lean on your faith community for support during emotional struggles? [01:12:05]

6. Think about a time when you allowed your emotions to outweigh what you know to be true from God's Word. How can you ground yourself more firmly in Scripture to prevent this from happening again? [01:24:00]

7. The sermon highlighted the importance of not repeating emotional cycles. Identify a recurring emotional pattern in your life. What steps can you take to break this cycle and allow God to work through you? [01:01:17]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Emotions as Divine Indicators for Growth
Emotions are not inherently negative; they are part of God's creation and can serve as indicators for personal growth. They are like a dashboard in our lives, signaling when something internally needs attention. Before the fall of man, emotions were pure and positive, but sin introduced negativity. However, through redemption, we have the power to transform negative emotions into opportunities for growth. By managing them with the Holy Spirit's help, we can transform them into opportunities for spiritual maturity. [43:37]

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What emotions have been signaling you to pay attention to an area of your life that needs growth? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this process today?

Day 2: Renewing the Mind to Shape Emotions
Our thoughts shape our emotions. By renewing our minds and focusing on positive, faith-filled thoughts, we can cultivate positive emotions even in challenging circumstances. Philippians 4:4-7 reminds us to rejoice always and to let our reasonableness be known. This scripture emphasizes the importance of maintaining a level-headed approach, even in heated situations. We must choose to live above our emotions, allowing the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds. [47:34]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What negative thought patterns do you need to replace with faith-filled thoughts? How can you actively renew your mind today to align with God's truth?

Day 3: Breaking Emotional Cycles for Personal Growth
Personal growth requires breaking emotional cycles. We must take responsibility for our emotions and allow God to work through us, transforming trials into steadfastness. James 1:2-4 encourages us to count it all joy when we face trials, as they produce steadfastness. By embracing this perspective, we can transform our trials into opportunities for growth and maturity. [59:51]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an emotional cycle you find yourself repeating. What steps can you take today to break this cycle and allow God to transform it into steadfastness?

Day 4: Encouragement Through Processing Emotions
Processing emotions can bring encouragement. In times of distress, we can find strength in God and the support of our faith community, reminding us that we are not alone. 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 shows how God encourages those who are discouraged. By processing our emotions, we can find encouragement and strength to move forward. [01:12:05]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your faith community can you reach out to for support in processing your emotions? How can you also be a source of encouragement to someone else today?

Day 5: Faith as the Anchor Amidst Emotional Fluctuations
There is a time for every emotion, and we must learn to navigate them without being controlled by them. Our faith should be grounded in the unchanging Word of God, providing stability amidst emotional fluctuations. By trusting in God's plan and allowing Him to deliver us from our struggles, we can emerge stronger and more beautiful, like a butterfly from its cocoon. [01:24:00]

"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to anchor your emotions in God's unchanging Word? How can you practice trusting in His plan today, despite emotional fluctuations?

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Quotes

Here are the selected quotes with timestamps:

"Let's pray Father we love you and we thank you for your word we thank you that your word is anointed but Lord I pray that you would anoint everybody here every person to hear what you have for them God while your word I just pray that they wouldn't find a word for someone else but they would absolutely search their own heart God search their own life that they'll be transformed by your word and God we also pray you'd anoint me as I give the word to speak only what you'd have me saying to say things for the people that are here and for the people online Lord we give you the praise and the glory in the name of Jesus come on everyone say amen amen" [00:41:44] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We're always the biggest enemy to ourselves. We're always the culprit to what we have to deal with. No one can make us feel a certain way. That's something we have to accept. That's something we take on ourselves. We're not, someone doesn't offend us. We have to take offense. And so we have to understand when it comes to our emotions, our emotions will come, but it doesn't mean we have to live by those emotions. We can control them by the help of the Holy Spirit." [00:45:43] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So if it says let it or allow it, it means we have a choice. We can choose to live in that moment or we can choose to be above it by the Spirit of God, by the Word of God. It is up to us how we live. I learned that when my wife and I was restored in our marriage. We decided we wouldn't be at one another. In the first few months, she'll tell you this is true. She pushed every button when we remarried. She wanted to know if I was really healed. She wanted to know if she could be married to the same crazy guy that used to be in the house. And so she would push buttons. And we had no arguments. I would just be relaxed. But one day, she pushed the right button." [00:49:32] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"There's a repair within your thought process, a repair within the internal part of your heart, within your soul that you need to pay attention to because you're getting ready to blow. A gasket, you're getting ready to have a major problem. But if you service your emotions now, you won't blow the engine. You won't mess yourself up too bad. Just make sure you're paying attention to your dashboard, which is those emotions God has given us. Come on, y 'all with me. Now, think of this before the fall of man, God already developed within his emotions. We were born. It's natural that God gave us emotions. Before. Before sin entered in, before man fell, before that took place, the emotions had no negative connotation. The negativity was not there. There was bliss. There was joy. There were the positive things. Then when Adam sinned, man fell, the emotional things turned into shame, guilt, anger. We see where Cain killed his brother Abel. All hell broke loose because negative emotions were once introduced. Understand, not new emotions. They were the same emotions, but now they were slanted because of the fall. The good news is we've been redeemed. Everyone say, I've been redeemed." [00:52:18] (83 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And in our redemption, God didn't purchase us back 50%. He didn't purchase us back 75%. How many knows when he redeemed us, he erased all things. We're new creatures. So we were redeemed completely to the beginning. What does that mean? That means every negative emotion. That comes against us, every negative emotion we experienced, every negative thought that comes, we have the right to say, no, I will not take up residence there. I will not park there. I will not stay there, but I will process this and I will move on to a better, a better" [00:56:01] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So a sound mind tells me if I keep my mind sound, I think correctly, then my feelings will eventually follow that sound thought. Once again, I say it like this. Our feelings, come on, our faith will never follow our feelings, but eventually our feelings will always follow our faith. So some people say, sometimes you got to fake it till you make it. that's a terrible piece of advice I don't say fake it till you make it I say faith it till you make it you got to speak those things that are not as though they were when God healed my mind it was because he put me on a program to tell myself who I was in Christ so when I would start to feel depression I'd say no I have the joy of the Lord it is joy unspeakable and full of glory I am the head not the tail I'm above only not belief come on are y 'all with me you got to speak those things that are as though they're not sometimes we speak in reciprocation of faith we'll say you know what I got a bad back it's my bad back and not only do we talk about the problem but we call it ours well my marriage just isn't good my my spouse is just not doing well and my wife is driving me crazy she has nothing to do with your craziness you just cray -cray on your own self and so understand that we have to speak to ourself in a way that we know what we're saying builds up our inside person, that spiritual person, so we can defend against those things that would be negative, we can turn to positive. Amen? And so we have to remember those things. We have to grow through those things. And I'll tell you right now that every one of us have that dashboard that goes off every now and then with those warnings that we have to pay attention to. Why is that important to know? Well, because it reveals that when we become new creatures in Christ, we have the ability to view emotions differently." [00:58:13] (116 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And there's joy in that in my life, to know that God is always working it out for my good. When my wife and I went through our divorce, and most of you know that story that we went through the divorce, God restored our marriage. I will say in my first few weeks or few months of our divorce, I really wasn't taking ownership of anything. I was kind of assigning blame to my wife. Like I said, I was under psychiatric care. I was crazy, and she had driven me crazy in my mind. It was her fault, and you can laugh, but you've done it too, and I was assigning blame to the church because the church hurt me, and how many of you have ever been church hurt? We've been church hurt." [01:04:57] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Can I remind you, Jesus was church hurt. They crucified him. He still shows up. Kind of changes our church hurt if we think about how the church hurts him, right? And so there came a time after a few months of my counseling that I realized the best thing I could do is use this time to better myself. Once again, everyone say myself. There's the responsible culprit every time, almost. There's circumstances outside our own control that happen, and I get that. But most of the problems we face, it's ourselves. So I started looking internally. I started checking my own dashboard. I started looking at my own dashboard. I started taking responsibility. Here's what happened. When I took responsibility and God healed me, he also began to work on my wife, who was my ex -wife. When she took responsibility and God started healing her, it wasn't long until God could heal us together and restore our marriage, and then all of a sudden what was destroyed and people were betting against us, they'll never come out of this. They'll never get through this. There's no way they can come back from this. God said, oh, yes, they can because they're turning to me. I will use their story for, my glory. Amen." [01:06:04] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Romans 1 says it this way. The Apostle Paul through verses 11 and 12 says, for I long to visit you so that I can impart to you the faith that will help your church grow strong in the Lord. Then too, I need your help. For I want not only to share my faith with you, but I want to share my faith with you. I want to be encouraged by yours. Each of us will be a blessing to the others. Isn't that awesome? That's the picture of who we are as the church, that we bless one another. We encourage one another, which brings me to the last point. Number three, there is a time for every emotion." [01:14:36] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Ecclesiastes chapter three says it this way, verses one through four, for everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to pluck up what is planted, a time to kill, a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up, a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to be at the A21 dance and dance with me. Amen? Have you ever stopped and looked at the seasons? I live in Phoenix. We only have two seasons. It's hot and hotter." [01:16:48] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"When we lost our nine year old child, my wife was going through several surgeries. She couldn't heal at the same time I healed. We had to allow one another to be healed at different seasons in different levels. So we have to be strong in different ways when we don't process them. That was the key. understand God built us with emotions so we can go through process of becoming stronger through that processing. And so whatever you're going through, I don't know what it is. I just say to you, make sure you go through it. Just don't stay. Come on, y 'all with me." [01:20:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?