3 Ways to Keep Your Emotions in Check
To Do-Do or Not to Do-Do
Paul sums it up best in the “do-do” verses. In Romans 7 Paul expresses his frustration in that he does what he does not want to do and does not do what he knows he should.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15 NIV)
I think we all can relate. I know I can. After being a follower of Jesus Christ for well over 20 years, I still find myself doing and saying things I regret, wishing I could turn back the hands of time and think twice before speaking or acting on impulse. Ugh.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, bu what I had I do. Romans 7:15 NIV
The Struggle
I was feeling down about this continual struggle until I read through 1 &2 Corinthians. Although Paul is not chiding himself in these letters, others were. They were bringing various accusations against him such as weakness, harshness, and not following through on his commitments. Paul defends himself accordingly.
What struck me is even Paul was criticized. Yes of course our Lord Jesus Christ was too, but I had put Paul on a pedestal all his own. I had unintentionally thought of him as the super-apostle (not like the ones he criticized in the letters above). He had written most of the New Testament, had been a bold witness for the cross, been beaten, shipwrecked, gone hungry, etc. all for the gospel and had not been deterred.
So, when I read others found fault with even him, I found comfort in knowing I wasn’t the only long-time, imperfect believer who wasn’t winning every popularity contest (even if it is my own doing at times).
Here are three ways I found to help improve my “do-do” score and may help you too:
Speak Scripture
This was a discipline I had developed several years ago but had fallen out of practice. This is so important for renewing our mind to be able to test and approve what God’s will is in any given situation (Romans 12:2). It keeps God’s Word fresh in my mind as I go about my day, as well as edifying and building me up so I can do the same for others (Ephesians 4:29). More importantly, it reminds me who God is - and it is not me!
Stop Acting out of Fear
This is a big one for me. In my case it is a combination of nature, nurture, and life experience all rolled into a big battle to “do not fear”. Unless I am being chased by a bear or in another life-threatening situation, acting out of fear usually does not end well – in word or deed.
Plus, I have heard it said the Bible tells us “do not fear” around 365 times, one for every day of the year. This also begs the question, Am I going to act like I believe what I say I believe or not?. This does not mean we never fear. God knows it can be a scary world down here. But do I really believe God is for me and in control?
Am I going to act like I trust God with our finances during a job loss? That God loves my children more than I do? And He is truly with me always and not everything is up to me? Ouch.
Seek God
When I keep my “top-down” glasses in place, life goes much smoother. I seek to see life in the vertical – from God’s perspective. When my focus lingers too long on man in the horizontal, things get skewed and quickly spiral downward.
Isaiah 40:31 tells us when we look to the Lord for our strength, He will lift us up with wings like eagles. Can you imagine it? Looking down on the earth and seeing everything – including your own life – from God’s perspective, all the while soaring on His thermals, His power? No more struggle or grasping, just being lifted up by the power of The Almighty? *sigh*
I don’t know about you, but I have got work to do – work I won’t retire from. But keeping our emotions in check is an investment with a 100% guaranteed return of eternal dividends. Now that is worth the effort.
