Our Thoughts: Winning The War
Written By: Daughter of The King
Emotions are powerful. They affect every area of our lives; they can build us up, or they can tear us down. At times, feelings like anger, fear, worry and even jealousy can overwhelm us; our enemy Satan knows that if he can get us to lose control of our emotions, he can step in and take control over us. Proverbs 25:28 says, “If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.” That’s what the enemy wants, for us to be open for attack.
But let’s face it; it’s very hard to control our feelings. People of all ages and backgrounds can struggle with their emotions, but it can be even more difficult for teens and young adults. In the book Changing Bodies, Changing Lives the author Ruth Bell says, “Most teenagers feel a jumble of crazy, beautiful, frightening, mixed-up emotions. A lot of people have several different feelings at the same time about the same things. . . . One minute you may feel a particular way, and then a minute later you may find yourself feeling the opposite way.” So how can we get control over these crazy roller coaster emotions?
One key to controlling your emotions is to learn to control your thoughts. Negative thoughts bring us down, make us weak and leave us open to attack. But we can learn to refuse to dwell on negative things that make us feel depressed, insecure or fearful by following the Bible’s advice in Philippians 4:8, “Here are some things I want you to think about. Think about things that are true, honest, right, clean and pure, things that are lovely, and things that are good to talk about. If they are good, and if they bring praise to God, think about these things.” What you spend time thinking about affects your emotions; if you’re constantly thinking about fearful things you are going to be afraid all the time. It’s the same if you spend your time thinking about the pain people have caused you—then you are going to be a bitter and angry person.
Also consider your choices of music and entertainment. A study published in The Harvard Mental Health Letter said, “Viewing violence . . . tends to stir angry and aggressive feelings. . . . People watching violent films thought more aggressive thoughts and showed a rise in blood pressure.” So make wise decisions when it comes to what you listen to and watch.
Ultimately, the best way to learn to control your emotions is to develop a close relationship with Jesus Christ. He wants you to speak to him in prayer, to pour out your feelings and emotions. “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7
Popularity: 3% [?]
Hello there:
I know and understand exactly what you are talking about. I feel your passion through your words. I too feel sometimes burdened by others that I see are doing wrong. It sometimes makes my angry as well, especially when I know that they know that they are doing wrong.
But after saying this let’s address your comment on you not being the judge, lets read what God has to say about these type of situations that sometimes gets us all wound up.
Matthew 7:1-2 says; “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.
Wow that’s powerful!
Now take a moment and really think about the words that you just read and apply them to your life.
I know that I have to smack myself with this word from time to time. When I see people that are close to me stepping out of the order of God and perhaps His plan for their life, it really frustrates me as well. So what do we do when this happens? We take it to the Lord in prayer!!
We ask God to help the person that is doing wrong to do what is right. We also ask God to guard our mouth and the words that come out of it so that we would always say the right things to this person and that we would not tear them down with words of punishment and judgment. Remember that when people are doing wrong things, its usually because they are either running from something or reaching out for help in the wrong way. So ask God to give you His Words to speak to them in love.
The person that you know is doing wrong, why don’t you take a look at their roots to see exactly why they are going in that direction. When I say look at their root, I mean, go way back to when they were much younger or when you first meet and remember the things that they were going through at that time. Go back to when you first saw them acting in a negative way and that will perhaps show you the reason that they are doing wrong right now. Trust me, there is always a root reason to negative behavior!
Take all of your concerns about this special person, to God in prayer. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. 1Peter 5:7
I know that answer may not be what you are looking for, but its what would be best for you in order to hold on to your relationship as well as bring right to this persons wrong situation. Let God handle it in the way that He has purposed.
The word says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) Go to God in prayer, asking Him to right what is wrong and change the heart of your loved one that is doing wrong things. Pray to God that He would change your loved one’s heart and that He would use you to be a good example to this person. In life we have to lead by example and if this person is really close to you then they will see your right life being lived out.
The reason you are feeling so frustrated is because of the feelings that you have toward this person, which is perfectly normal. God has placed love inside of us in order for us to care about others. John 13:34 says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Therefore, your feelings of concern are totally normal and your wanting to help is also normal because you are just acting off of that love that was placed inside of you. But remember what the word of God says, “For the Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11.
What is done in the dark will always come to light so persistently pray for this person that you know is doing wrong. 1Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Keep on praying.” God is using you, by showing you the wrong things that this person is doing, in order for you to stand in prayer on their behalf. If this person is not saved then pray for their salvation so that God will wash them clean of all of their transgressions.
Romans 3:22-24 says, “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.”
Be blessed by His words,
Precious In His Sight
What about sometimes when you see other people doing worng things?It makes me angry when i cant like help them or tell them what to do,even though i know im not the judge and its not my respionsibility to change them.But sometimes i feel so frustrated,especially when its people close to me.