Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Choosing Our Emotions

Yesterday, I posted my version of Psalm 118:24, which accurately states, “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I’m not suggesting that the actual Bible verse be replaced with my version; however it was more direct and succinct: “This is the day that the Lord has made and I will CHOOSE to rejoice in it...regardless of what happens...and try not to forget my choice before day's end!!!”

As I thought about that post throughout the day, choosing to rejoice no matter what, the Lord reminded me that we are responsible for choosing all of our emotions. We can choose to become angry at that driver who cut us off or we can choose to pray for him/her and bless them. We can choose to become bitter because we did not get that job/promotion/answer that we wanted or we can take the results of that situation and use it for our good. We can choose to be jealous of someone and resent them. Or we can choose to be glad for them and move forward with our own life. We can choose to be happy, to rejoice. We can choose to trust God and have faith.

God tells us in John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” One of the sneakiest ways the thief (Satan) wants to kill and destroy us is in our thoughts and minds. When we choose to be bitter, resentful, jealous or any negative emotion, we have just opened the door for the enemy to come in and wreak destruction.

When we choose the right emotion, (i.e. when we act like the Christians we claim to be) scripture tells us: “And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7 Amplified Bible; emphasis mine) A garrison is a fort or stronghold. So this scripture tells us God’s peace builds a fort around us and He guards our hearts and minds.

How do we choose the right emotion for any situation rather than exhibiting negative emotions? Simple. We keep our eyes on Jesus – all the time. We give him permanent place inside the fort as a guard over our hearts and minds.

Maranatha!

5 comments:

Rob Vande Steeg, Ph.D. said...

Your post is a good reminder that we need to make a "choice" to honor God in all we do.

As Spirit-filled Christians, we must always create an attitude based on becoming Christ-like. This type of attitude is driven by a desire to be obedient to God’s Word even when life circumstances create a negative emotional state that doesn’t motivate obedience to God’s commandments.

Be bleseed.....

quietspirit said...

Edwina:
You are so right. We have to look to Jesus during the emotionally hard times.
As a Christian, I see a lot of believers who are hurting. I also see a lot of angry people. They need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we hear of someone being confused because they are having a difficult time. God told us He'd be with us during the hard times. The emotion we choose can draw a person to Christ or it can cause that person to go the other way.

Jeanette said...

Edwina,
I have just read this, I have had a awful week and have not been on line. I received a phone call the first part of the week and it made me bitter, depressed resentful. It taken me 3 days to realized that the devil was destroying my happiness, because I let earthly things happens that I have no control over. I prayed to God to take these feelings aways from me and I knew when I woke up this morning that I felt so much better about the person and things that happen did not enter my mind and I felt so reieved. I know that these ill moments and thoughts and depression comes from the devil. I am not going to let him win. I was told to keep my mind on Jesus and he has a working of working things out and I know he does. When you miss the peace that God gives us, it is surly missed. For the lost people that has never had it, it is better than anthing that you and get on this earth.
Thank for letting me vent.
Jeanette

Pepper said...

Fabulous reminder, Edwina.
In choosing God's way, we glorify Him.
That's so tough to do, but it's beautiful how He gives us the strength to do the things we cannot do on our own.
Thanks so much for this reminder.

Edwina said...

Pepper,
Thanks for your comments!

Jeanette, I'm so sorry that you were hurt by the person who phoned you; but glad that you have taken that hurt to God. There is nothing better (except salvation) than God's forgiveness and peace.

Cecile,
There are so many hurting and bitter people today. I pray that we can be the light of Jesus to them!

Dr. VandeSteeg,
Thank you for your comments! You are so right - our attitudes must always reflect our goal of becoming more Christ-like!

I pray God's blessings today on each of you!!

Edwina