Transforming Emotions Through Anticipation of God's Promises
Summary
What a privilege it is to be part of a community where the Spirit of God is at work, shaping us from the inside out. We live in a world that constantly bombards us with reasons to feel anxious, insecure, or overwhelmed, but God’s desire is for us to experience a different kind of life—a life marked by kingdom emotions: love, joy, and peace. These are not just fleeting feelings, but the very emotions that God Himself experiences and wants to share with us, even in the midst of real challenges and pain.
The truth is, the quality of our lives is determined far more by what happens within us than by what happens around us. Too often, we feel like helpless slaves to our emotions, believing we have no control over them. Yet, God has given us the means to progressively replace these “hellish” emotions—fear, anxiety, jealousy, shame—with heavenly ones. This is not a matter of simply praying for instant change or waiting for a spontaneous miracle. Instead, it is a process, a journey of learning to see as God sees, desire what He desires, think as He thinks, do what He does, and say what He says.
A key part of this transformation is learning to anticipate what God anticipates. Our emotions are powerfully shaped by what we expect and imagine about the future. Just as a person lost at sea is transformed from despair to hope by the news of certain rescue, so our hearts can be changed by anchoring our anticipation in the trustworthy promises of God. God Himself is a God who anticipates—He looks forward to our reunion with Him, to rewarding us, to seeing us transformed into the image of Christ, and to welcoming us into a world filled with His righteousness.
We are invited to use our God-given imagination to look forward to the day when all things are made new, when we are fully transformed, and when every tear is wiped away. This anticipation is not wishful thinking; it is grounded in the character and promises of God, who has written the ultimate “check” for us in the blood of Christ. As we fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal, our present emotions are transformed. We can endure, persevere, and even rejoice, knowing that the best is yet to come. Let’s embrace this process, trusting that as we anticipate what God anticipates, we will increasingly experience His love, joy, and peace in our daily lives.
Key Takeaways
- The quality of our lives is determined by what happens within us, not by our external circumstances. Even when life is outwardly good, if our hearts are filled with anxiety, jealousy, or insecurity, we remain miserable. God’s desire is to free us from being ruled by these emotions and to fill us with His own love, joy, and peace, regardless of what is happening around us. [01:45]
- Emotional transformation is not spontaneous or magical; it is a process that requires our cooperation. As we intentionally learn to see, desire, think, do, and speak as God does, we begin to experience the emotions of His kingdom. This is a divinely ordained cause-and-effect process, not a shortcut or quick fix, and it calls for persistent, humble participation on our part. [07:58]
- Anticipation, rooted in our God-given imagination, is a powerful tool for emotional change. What we expect about the future shapes our present feelings, and God invites us to anchor our anticipation in His trustworthy promises. When we anticipate what God anticipates—our transformation, reunion, and reward—our emotions are lifted from despair to hope, even before our circumstances change. [15:05]
- God Himself is a relational, emotional being who anticipates with joy the fulfillment of His promises to us. He looks forward to our transformation, our reunion with Him, and the day when we will experience the fullness of His kingdom. Understanding that God is emotionally invested in us deepens our trust and helps us endure present difficulties with hope and perseverance. [26:17]
- The certainty of God’s promises is the foundation for fearless anticipation. Just as a check is only as good as the one who backs it, so our hope is secure because it is backed by the character and resurrection of Christ. Fixing our eyes on the eternal, unseen realities God has promised transforms our emotions in the present, enabling us to live with courage, joy, and peace as we await the fulfillment of all He has said. [39:35]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - God’s Desire for Our Emotions
[05:37] - The Illusion of Emotional Helplessness
[07:58] - The Process of Kingdom Emotions
[12:28] - The Power of Anticipation
[15:05] - Imagination and Emotional Change
[26:17] - God’s Anticipation and Our Transformation
[30:05] - The Promise of Becoming Like Christ
[31:03] - Overcoming the Impossible Through Persistence
[32:58] - Loving God for Himself
[36:15] - The Hope of Resurrection Bodies
[38:11] - Looking Forward to a World of Righteousness
[39:35] - The Certainty of God’s Promises
[42:00] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom Emotions—Anticipating What God Anticipates
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### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23
*But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.*
2. Hebrews 12:2
*Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.*
3. 2 Corinthians 4:18
*So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.*
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the first three “fruits” or results that the Holy Spirit produces in our lives?
(love, joy, peace)
[05:37]
2. In Hebrews 12:2, what did Jesus focus on that helped him endure the cross?
(He saw the joy ahead of him.)
[15:05]
3. The sermon says, “The quality of our lives is more determined by what happens where? In us, not around us or to us.” What are some examples the pastor gives of emotions that can make us miserable even when life is going well?
(anxiety, insecurity, jealousy, etc.)
[01:45]
4. What does 2 Corinthians 4:18 say about what we should focus on, and why?
(We should fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal, not what is seen and temporary.)
[39:35]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The pastor says that emotional transformation is a process, not a miracle or a shortcut. What does it mean to “see as God sees, desire what He desires, think as He thinks, do what He does, and say what He says”? How might this process look in real life?
[07:58]
2. Why does the pastor say that anticipation is such a powerful tool for emotional change? How does what we expect about the future affect our emotions right now?
[12:28]
3. The sermon describes God as a relational, emotional being who anticipates our reunion and transformation. How does knowing that God “can’t wait” to be with us and reward us change the way we view our current struggles?
[26:17]
4. The pastor uses the illustration of a check written by Elon Musk versus one written by himself. What is the point of this illustration, and how does it relate to the promises of God?
[39:35]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “We often feel like helpless slaves to our emotions.” Can you think of a recent time when you felt ruled by a negative emotion? What would it look like to invite God into that moment and begin the process of transformation?
[05:37]
2. The pastor teaches that emotional change is not instant, but a process that requires our cooperation. Is there an area of your life where you have been waiting for God to “just change you,” instead of actively participating in the process? What is one step you could take this week to cooperate with God in that area?
[07:58]
3. The sermon uses the story of someone lost at sea who goes from despair to hope when they hear rescue is coming. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to anchor your anticipation in God’s promises instead of your fears? What promise from God can you hold onto?
[12:28]
4. The pastor says, “God is emotionally invested in us.” How does this truth affect the way you pray or relate to God, especially when you are struggling emotionally?
[26:17]
5. The sermon challenges us to use our imagination to anticipate what God anticipates—our transformation, reunion, and reward. What is one specific “eternal” reality you want to focus on this week to help lift your emotions?
[15:05]
6. The pastor says, “Fixing our eyes on the eternal, unseen realities God has promised transforms our emotions in the present.” What is one practical way you can remind yourself daily of God’s promises? (For example: a note on your mirror, a phone reminder, a verse memorized, etc.)
[39:35]
7. The sermon ends with a prayer asking God to help us “see things the way you see, desire what you desire, think the way you think, say what you say, do what you do, and ultimately to anticipate what you anticipate.” Which of these areas do you most want to grow in, and what is one step you can take this week to start?
[42:00]
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Closing Thought:
God’s desire is for us to experience His love, joy, and peace—not just someday, but starting now. As we learn to anticipate what He anticipates, our emotions can be transformed, even in the middle of real challenges. Let’s encourage each other to keep our eyes on what is unseen and eternal, trusting that the best is yet to come.
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit Produces Kingdom Emotions in Us
God desires for us to experience love, joy, and peace—emotions that reflect His own heart—by progressively transforming us from the inside out. While we often feel like helpless slaves to our emotions, God has given us the Holy Spirit, who produces these kingdom emotions as we learn to see, desire, think, do, and say as God does. This is not a spontaneous or magical process, but a divinely ordained journey of inner transformation, where our emotional well-being is shaped more by what happens within us than by our circumstances. As we cooperate with the Spirit, we begin to replace the negative, “hellish” emotions of this world with the heavenly emotions that are our true inheritance as God’s children. [07:40]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most feel like a slave to your emotions, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to begin transforming that area today through intentional cooperation with Him?
Day 2: Anticipation Transforms Our Emotions
Anticipation is a powerful, God-given tool that can instantly change our emotional state, even when our circumstances remain the same. Just as a person adrift at sea is transformed from panic to peace upon hearing news of certain rescue, we too can experience emotional transformation by learning to anticipate what God anticipates. This requires developing our God-enlightened imagination and aligning our expectations with the trustworthy promises of God, rather than with uncertain hopes. When we anchor our anticipation in God’s faithfulness, we find strength and hope even in the midst of life’s storms. [15:05]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reflection: What is one promise of God you can intentionally anticipate today, and how might focusing on that promise shift your emotional outlook right now?
Day 3: Jesus Anticipates Reunion and Rewards with His Followers
Jesus openly expresses His anticipation for the day when He will be reunited with His followers in His Father’s kingdom, sharing in joy and celebration together. He assures us that our sins are forgiven and that we have a secure place with Him, and He looks forward to rewarding us for our faithfulness and love. This anticipation is deeply personal—Jesus prepares a place for each of us and eagerly awaits the moment when we will see Him face to face. Knowing that Jesus Himself is excited for our future with Him can fill us with hope, courage, and motivation to persevere in faith and love. [26:17]
John 14:1-3 (ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is personally preparing a place for you and eagerly anticipating your reunion with Him affect the way you face today’s challenges?
Day 4: God’s Eternal Plan Is to Transform Us into Christ’s Likeness
God’s eternal plan is to have a family of Christ-like beings who live in loving trust and unity with Him and one another. Even when we feel stuck or incapable of change, God promises to work all things together for our good and to transform us into the image of His Son. This transformation is a process that requires our cooperation and persistence, but it is certain because God Himself has promised it. We can anticipate with confidence that, no matter our present struggles, we are destined for complete renewal and Christ-like character. [32:58]
Romans 8:28-29 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel spiritual growth is “impossible,” and how can you take a small step of faith today, trusting God’s promise to transform you?
Day 5: Fix Your Eyes on the Eternal Promises of God
God invites us to fix our eyes not on what is seen and temporary, but on what is unseen and eternal—His promises, His coming kingdom, and our future transformation. Just as a check is only as valuable as the one who backs it, God’s promises are absolutely trustworthy because they are guaranteed by His character and the resurrection of Jesus. When we regularly remind ourselves of what God has promised and choose to anticipate these eternal realities, our emotions are regulated and renewed, even in the darkest moments. This daily practice of anticipation empowers us to live with hope, joy, and peace, no matter what we face. [42:00]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can “fix your eyes” on God’s eternal promises today, especially when you are tempted to focus on temporary troubles?
Quotes
When God promises us something, when God says count on something, when God says take it to the bank, I can fearlessly, vulnerably, completely anticipate it with certainty, Jesus rose from the dead, he promises with his own blood, he will fulfill the check, he wrote the check in his blood, and everything that he promises, I can anticipate, and if I'm willing to learn to anticipate these eternal promises of God, they will regulate my emotions, they will change them instantly in many cases, I might be in the darkest place emotionally, and if I'm willing to say, but you know what, that's now, but God's got a future, he's promised a future for me, I'm going to be transformed in the image of Christ, I'm going to get a new immortal body, I'm going to live in a world where everybody's righteous, everybody loves God, everybody's good, everybody's kind, everybody's accepting, where no one, no one ever feels any jealousy or envy or insecurity or inferiority, that's where I'm destined to go, if I remind myself, if I'm willing to anticipate it, it changes my emotions in the now. [00:40:39] (64 seconds)
So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is what? Temporary, but what is unseen is what? Eternal. Eternal. That's where a loving God is urging each of us today, without any shame, he's saying, I'll back the check, throw your all in anticipating all of my promises, you will not regret them, you will live to see them all fulfilled, and they will change your emotional state right now, if you're willing to learn to anticipate on a regular basis, I'm going to fix my eyes on the eternal promises of God, and I'm going to do it today, and tomorrow, and next week, and next month, and I'm going to do it until Jesus ultimately returns, or I go to be with him. [00:41:46] (48 seconds)
We are emotional beings and the quality of our lives is more determined by what happens where? In us, not around us or to us. Now we tend to think that what happens around us or to us is really what should or almost always determines our emotional state or the quality of our life. You know, if things are going good, we say, man, my life is good. If things are not good, we say not. But that's not the truth. [00:03:24] (27 seconds)
Emotions are good servants. Emotions are not good leaders. If we just act on our emotions, on our impulses, we will often regret it. Many of us in here have had those experiences. Unfortunately, we live in a world that disproportionately stimulates us emotionally and tries to get us to just live following our emotions, as well as our physical desires, whereas God always strengthens our spirit, our God -enlightened reasoning faculties, you know, our conscience, our imagination, so that our spirit can govern our soul, which is that part of us that has those desires and emotions and so forth, and our mind and our thoughts, and then ultimately our body. [00:07:11] (39 seconds)
We can pray every day. Oh, God, give me more love. Give me more joy. Give me more peace. It will not work. There are prayers that we are to pray for certain things. The Scripture is clear. But then there are processes that God has ordained. For example, you know, if I was a farmer, I could stand before a field and not plant any seed, you know, any corn or anything. And just pray, oh, God, in the name of Jesus, let there be corn. Let there be corn. It's not going to be any corn. I'm just looking dumb. That's it. There's processes. [00:11:10] (31 seconds)
You are, if you've put your trust in Christ and become his follower, you are destined for the most beautiful, complete transformation that you can imagine. We will someday become just like Christ in character. That's the promise of God. That's the plan of God, the purpose of God. And so we can have anticipation while we're struggling at times, we can anticipate, I'm going to get through this. I'm going to grow. God's promise, I'm going to be transformed to the very image of Christ. [00:34:44] (32 seconds)
He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. So this is going to happen when Jesus returns. Now I'm curious, is anybody in here, maybe you're familiar, there's a group, it's a club, it's called this, IUTBA. Anybody in here a member of it? You sure? Here's what IUT stands for. You find yourself saying this more and more? I used to be able to. As we age, we join the club. But that verse that we just read, it says, when Jesus returns, we're going to get a new body. And it's a dynamic, immortal body. You and I will be able to do things that we've never been able to do. We will do them with such spontaneity and ease. It will, just like a bird just flies because it's a bird and a fish just swim. No fish takes swimming lessons, right? It just swims. You and I transformed to the image of Christ and giving him mortal bodies like his own. We will do things that we've never been able to do. [00:35:37] (79 seconds)
We often feel like helpless slaves to our emotions, but God wants to help us replace hellish emotions by hellish. I'm not talking about some place of, you know, eternal conscious torment. I'm just talking about these negative emotions that are the result of a world where evil is existent. God promises that world has a short shelf life. Those negative emotions, short shelf life. He promises to intervene. He promises his kingdom is going to come and his will is going to be done. And all those hellish emotions that I just listed a few, they will be abolished when evil is abolished. But he wants to replace them right now with heavenly ones. [00:04:25] (37 seconds)
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