How to Deal with What I Feel

In review of Romans 8:6, 8 it says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.”

Bottom Line:

If our minds are ruled by our sinful nature and desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.

What this means to me:

If I allow my mind to be ruled by my old sinful nature or by my desires, I will not have eternal life. However, if I let the Spirit control my mind and thinking then I will have peace and eternal life. I can never please God by following my own desires.

As part of this, my learning to manage my emotions will be key to having peace of mind. So here are four reason from God’s Word to learn how to deal with what I feel.

First, I need to learn to manage emotions because they are often unreliable. My gut is often wrong. My intuition is often flawed. My emotions can often lead me down a blind alley. I can’t depend on everything I feel! Proverbs 14:12 emphasizes this, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (NIV). I don’t need to accept everything I feel, because not everything I feel is right, authentic or will lead me in the right direction.

Next, I need to learn how to manage my emotions so that I don’t become manipulated. If I don’t control my emotions, they will control me, and I’ll be manipulated by my mood. And, if I’m always guided by feelings, others are going to take advantage of me. Worst of all, Satan’s favorite tool is negative emotions. He will use fear, resentment, and worry to wreak havoc in my life. The Bible reminds me in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Also, I need to learn to manage my emotions because I want to please God. God won’t be able to rule my life if my emotions are. If I make my decisions based on how I feel, then I’ve made my feelings god, and God can’t be God. Romans 8:6 and 8 says, “To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (TEV).

Lastly, I need to learn to manage your emotions to succeed in life. Studies show that my emotional quotient is far more important than my IQ when it comes to success. Many people have ruined their reputation because of something said in anger, or missed a job opportunity because of a lack of self-control. The Bible says in Proverbs 5:23, “[People] get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control” (CEV).

When I give my heart to Jesus, it needs to include my emotions. Jesus wants to be Lord of how I feel, not just what I think and do. He wants to be Lord of my emotions. “From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires” (1 Peter 4:2 TEV).

I have to admit that often I do let me emotions drive my decisions and feelings. Unfortunately I can now see that my feelings, why getting more in line with Jesus each day, may not always line up his thoughts. My emotions may not always be reliable. They can easily manipulate how I conduct myself, which may not always be pleasing to God. I need to listen to the small quiet voice of the Spirit to guide me.