Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will show you which path to take!
One of my biggest prayers in my own life, right now, is for God to help me better understand and control my emotions! I often tell my kids that I really want them to learn this lesson while they are young, so they aren’t still struggling with it so much when they’re in their 40’s!
Well, what does God even say about feelings?
- He says He has them, too! He cried when His friend, Lazarus, died, in John 11. He turned the money tables over in the temple because He was angry, in Matthew 21.
- He says we have them because He had them first! We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We are created in His image (Genesis 1:27).
- He says there are some we must work to grow! boldness and courage (Joshua 1:9), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control (Galations 5:22-23).
- He says there are some we must work to get rid of! Be angry, but do not sin (Ephesians 4:26). Don’t be afraid or discouraged (Joshua 1:9). Don’t doubt (Luke 24:38.) Do not worry (Matthew 6:34). Put away rage, angry outbursts, bitterness, fighting, lying, cheating, jealousy, blame, and filthy talk (Eph. 4:31; Colossians 3:8).
- He says that we shouldn’t trust them! We shouldn’t depend on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). It is foolish to trust our own hearts (Proverbs 28:26).
- He says (with effort and attention) we can control them! We are told to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). His grace is sufficient for our needs, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Lord, Jesus, we thank you for making us in your image! Thank you for loving us enough to make us! Sometimes, we don’t know WHAT we feel, let alone how to control it! Help us recognize, understand, and learn to control our emotions so that we learn to honor you with our lives! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Here are a couple of songs to help you with feelings!