Dealing with Emotions part 2
Good Morning!
Lord bless us as we bend our perceptions and therefore our emotions toward His.
Much love in Christ,
Joy
#187 Dealing with Emotions Part 2
Many of our emotions are based on our perceptions of assuming the worst about the other person.
You can choose to alter your perception of the offense. The Philadelphia Trumpet
I had an experience with a person, I will name her Tanya, who had some strongly worded things to say about me. My first response in my thoughts was to be critical and judgmental to her as I perceived she was to me. The feelings that came from these thoughts were anger, irritation and resentment. I was not being fueled by constructive emotion! The following exercise was very helpful. The first line is my raw interpretation. The second is a more God centered view which came after prayer and looking at the situation more objectively. This is one practical way to ‘cast down imaginations’ {which are our made-up perceptions and interpretations} and to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5 It is fascinating to experience the intensity of destructive emotion from the first thought, and the depth of constructive emotion from a sanctified view.
Tanya is selfish and narrow minded.
*Tanya is doing the best she can with the perceptions she has.
She presents herself as so perfect. She has no sense of her real weaknesses.
*Sometimes I am blind to my issues.
She is really into control.
*I also struggle with control.
She wouldn’t let me speak. It was all her.
*God wanted me to listen! There are important adjustments that I have the privilege of making!
Her words were hurtful and intense.
*God got my attention because of the intensity of her words.
“Listen to people with your heart. You control every little thing. I worry your heart is getting cold, that you lose your compassion for people.” I interpreted these words as an accusing attack. Even if the intent was evil, (which I do not know that it was) God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20 When I listen from God’s intention I hear this conversation very differently. Her words bring me to a fuller joy of letting go, of being more deliberate in my involvement and choices at work. This is a wonderful reminder to delight in compassion. This is a wonderful encouragement to relax and let go of being overly responsible. This is a wonderful reminder that God is guarding my heart!
Emotional immaturity makes you a victim of circumstance. Emotional maturity gives you the power to choose your response.
Emotions are impulses to action. God intends us to be people of action—fueled by constructive emotion.
God encourages us to stoke and stir up those right emotions, those useful emotions. Philippians 4:8
We must strive for a level of maturity where we never allow our emotions to drive us outside the bounds of God’s law.
Godly ‘emotion’ is actually a state of mind produced by God’s mind in us, through the power of the Holy spirit.
The Philadelphia Trumpet
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 Sanctified thoughts and interpretations lead to sanctified emotions.
Interpretations that create emotions which entrap us or keep up stuck must be monitored by God’s view and intention. When we are criticized it is important to ask: Are there elements of truth that God wants to bring to my awareness? What is God’s intention? What is the gift in this unlikely package? What action is God leading me to take?
You cannot control everything that happens to you—only what you do in return.
Lord bless us as we bend our perceptions and therefore our emotions toward His.
Much love in Christ,
Joy
#187 Dealing with Emotions Part 2
Many of our emotions are based on our perceptions of assuming the worst about the other person.
You can choose to alter your perception of the offense. The Philadelphia Trumpet
I had an experience with a person, I will name her Tanya, who had some strongly worded things to say about me. My first response in my thoughts was to be critical and judgmental to her as I perceived she was to me. The feelings that came from these thoughts were anger, irritation and resentment. I was not being fueled by constructive emotion! The following exercise was very helpful. The first line is my raw interpretation. The second is a more God centered view which came after prayer and looking at the situation more objectively. This is one practical way to ‘cast down imaginations’ {which are our made-up perceptions and interpretations} and to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5 It is fascinating to experience the intensity of destructive emotion from the first thought, and the depth of constructive emotion from a sanctified view.
Tanya is selfish and narrow minded.
*Tanya is doing the best she can with the perceptions she has.
She presents herself as so perfect. She has no sense of her real weaknesses.
*Sometimes I am blind to my issues.
She is really into control.
*I also struggle with control.
She wouldn’t let me speak. It was all her.
*God wanted me to listen! There are important adjustments that I have the privilege of making!
Her words were hurtful and intense.
*God got my attention because of the intensity of her words.
“Listen to people with your heart. You control every little thing. I worry your heart is getting cold, that you lose your compassion for people.” I interpreted these words as an accusing attack. Even if the intent was evil, (which I do not know that it was) God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20 When I listen from God’s intention I hear this conversation very differently. Her words bring me to a fuller joy of letting go, of being more deliberate in my involvement and choices at work. This is a wonderful reminder to delight in compassion. This is a wonderful encouragement to relax and let go of being overly responsible. This is a wonderful reminder that God is guarding my heart!
Emotional immaturity makes you a victim of circumstance. Emotional maturity gives you the power to choose your response.
Emotions are impulses to action. God intends us to be people of action—fueled by constructive emotion.
God encourages us to stoke and stir up those right emotions, those useful emotions. Philippians 4:8
We must strive for a level of maturity where we never allow our emotions to drive us outside the bounds of God’s law.
Godly ‘emotion’ is actually a state of mind produced by God’s mind in us, through the power of the Holy spirit.
The Philadelphia Trumpet
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 Sanctified thoughts and interpretations lead to sanctified emotions.
Interpretations that create emotions which entrap us or keep up stuck must be monitored by God’s view and intention. When we are criticized it is important to ask: Are there elements of truth that God wants to bring to my awareness? What is God’s intention? What is the gift in this unlikely package? What action is God leading me to take?
You cannot control everything that happens to you—only what you do in return.
