I awoke recently with an angry heart. I didn’t understand why. Sure, hurtful things had transpired, but not directly before that day. Weeks, even months earlier I had traveled through a season of painful experiences. Each one I gave to God and had asked for His wisdom and help in the navigation of each trial.
But before I eased from my warm sheets, my heart was seething. I went through my normal routine of coffee and Bible study, and then prayer. Prayer that I would abandon the anger, the negativity, and the memories.
I applied that energy to cleaning my house (which I thought would make me feel better.) It didn’t.
Then I attended a gathering of Christian ladies I had committed to weeks before. A few hours with my Christian sisters did the trick.
We laughed together.
We ate together.
We read Scripture together.
We prayed together.
A few hours with these girls was what God used this time to bring me out of the funk.
How easy it would have been to give into my feelings of hurt and anger and frustration. Believe the lie I would not be good company to anyone.
Or choose to sit at home in my personal pity party.
But I kept going with what I had intended. I had prayed and I trusted God to work it out as I fulfilled my commitments.
And He did.
Do you ever find feelings attempting to boss you around?
Do you ever believe lies that enter your mind when your emotions are running amuck?
It’s a very human experience.
With a very divine answer.
2 Timothy 1:7 tells us “For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (NIV)
Even when we aren’t feeling it, we need to do what we have already determined to be the right thing to do.
I know I have failed.
I know the man after God’s own heart didn’t get it right every time either. That’s no excuse. But it’s affirmation God doesn’t give up on us.
How about you? Do those emotions sometimes claim authority they don’t possess? Are you, like me, tempted to sometimes yield to them?
We need to remember that in ruling over emotions, God still reigns, every, single, time.
God will help us to practice self-discipline when we ask Him. Let’s ask Him together for just that.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You know what human emotions are like. You gave them to us. Jesus experienced them first-hand. And He lived without sinning. Please help me to have self-discipline. Help me to keep my actions in check, ruled by obedience, not by emotions. Thank You for Your help with this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.