Are Your Emotions Getting The Best of You?

Many times we go through situations in life that stir up different emotions. One scenario could be a neighbor, who walks their dog and allows their dog to do his business in your yard. This can make you frustrated for a moment but it’s not very severe and some people may even get over it within a matter of minutes or hours.

Another, more severe scenario, could be that you were in an accident that wasn’t your fault and because of what may seem to be “simple carelessness” of another person, you may feel very upset. Usually with this type of situation, even though you might feel upset or frustrated, you are likely to eventually loose those ill emotions that you originally felt.

Because of the different personalities, people deal with these emotions differently. Some people will simply vent their frustrations by complaining to others about the details of the situation and how it makes them feel, others may take a more physical approach by going to the gym and taking it out on a punching bag and some people may simply hold it in and let those frustrations build up.

Some experts might say that it’s not a good idea to hold those emotions in. They will often encourage you to talk to others about how you feel, or even take the physical approach by going on a jog or working out.

As a Christian, I choose to take a slightly different approach when dealing with works of the flesh such as wrath, frustration, or any emotions that are against the Fruit of the Spirit(Galatians 5:22). God didn’t promise us that we won’t feel angry and it’s okay to feel angry at times but the bible says those who practice the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God.(Galatians 5:19-21)

Earlier I mentioned some advice that the experts would recommend when dealing with negative emotions, but I believe sometimes we should just simply have a talk with Jesus. He hears and answers our prayers. God is always looking at our hearts and He is more impressed with a spirit of forgiveness and joy rather than a spirit of bitterness.  The bible says in (James 1:19-20) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

I’ve heard the saying that you should never confront someone when you’re angry, you should always wait until you are calm and able to think rationally. Sometimes I like to relate a person who is angry to a person who is intoxicated. An intoxicated person is often not able to think rationally and they often make decisions while intoxicated that they may regret when they are sober.

A person who is angry is the same way except, instead of being under the influence of alcohol they’re under the influence of a their emotions and how it makes them feel. When a person is angry they are not able to rationalize as easily as they normally would. However, after they calm down they usually think thoughts such as “why was I so worked up over that” or “certainly that person didn’t mean to wrong me.”

It’s hard to deal with trials that are heavy. Especially in the world today where the economy is down and the housing and banking industry is in trouble. However, this is not your fight to fight alone. Remember in Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus was speaking to his troubled disciples said “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Next time you are faced with a trial that leaves you tempted to get angry, you shouldn’t act on that emotion by lashing out or having outbursts of wrath. You can lay your troubles down at the feet of Jesus. Many times when we’re angry we want to point the finger at someone or something else but our prayer should be that those emotions are removed from us and that God puts forgiveness in our hearts towards the person that wronged us.