Overcoming Emotions

I have 3 nieces whom I love dearly. Two of them have passed through the toddler stage and the last one is at the end of it. They are a joy to be around, but I can clearly remember a time (ok a few times) when they had meltdowns. Perhaps it was because they couldn’t get their way, somebody said something that hurt their feelings or maybe it was just a bad day. Either way, I can’t remember a single time when their attitude made the situation they were frustrated with better.  

Unfortunately, as an adult we can be the same way. Sometimes I can get into moods and I get so lost in how I’m feeling that I can’t get out. I know from my own personal experiences that my mood only worsens the situation despite the fact that I am not a toddler. So what do you do when you are in a place mentally that you can’t get out of? First you pray. Ask god to help you think on positive things, if it’s your relationship and you’re mad with your boyfriend, reflect on the good. If it’s your job, be thankful that you have one. Second, put it in perspective. Is what you’re mad about really that big of a deal? Is it worth the argument or whatever consequences flow from it?  Third, give them some grace. Has the object/subject of your mood attempted to make amends or been rectified? If so, and you are still in a mood your emotions may not be what you need to overcome, it maybe the unforgiveness that lies within your heart.

Hebrews 12:14 states that we should “make every effort to live in peace with all men.” If you are hurt, frustrated or angry with someone or about something- then you don’t even have peace within yourself. You are carrying around and holding on to those feelings. Verse 15 of that same passage goes on to tell us “not to miss the grace of God and to be sure that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble …”

Whatever has caused you to be in that mood, if you don’t stop and pray immediately and turn that thing over to God, rest assured it will do just what the scripture says. You will think about that thing and get mad all over again and eventually that thing that put you there in the first place has grown from something small to something big. It will take root in your heart and you will become bitter. That grace that scripture is talking about is two- fold. It is for you and the other person. You may be offended, and perhaps the emotion stems from there but God’s grace will help you overcome that offense. Ask him for it and trust him to give it to you. It is as simple as saying “God you know how this made me feel. Help me not to be led by my emotions and to be at peace with all men. Give me the grace to do it.”  When God gives you grace to deal with the offense he also gives the offender grace through you. Other people don’t always deserve kindness, (neither do we) but that is grace exemplified when you give it to them anyway. Lean into God, not into your emotions, the outcome is always better.