EMOTIONAL CONTROL and other fairy tales...

What is true?… How I feel or what I know to be true?

Often it is difficult to know if what we feel is the whole truth and nothing but the truth or just how we feel in light of our emotional triggers. I have struggled with depression and anxiety at one degree or another at times in my life. Often I can trace my pitfall back to an emotional trigger that set up a belief that led to a very real face to face with discouragement, worry and ultimately depression.

Our emotions do a great job of telling us how we feel they do a really poor job of telling us what is true. There are seasons in all of our lives where life becomes difficult. When you find yourself in a dark place emotionally due to trials or difficulties beyond your control, try joy.

““A fundamental principal of JOY in the Lord is that it is a state of being and not an emotion”
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I hear what you are saying “If I had joy, I would not be discouraged or depressed”. A fundamental principle of JOY in the Lord is that it is a state of being and not an emotion. We can resource Joy in our lives from an abundant source. The Holy Spirit is a fountain channel for the Joy of the Lord and it flows from God’s throne in abundance. This is true no matter how you feel. You have immediate access to the Joy of the Lord anytime you need it.

“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” (Ps. 28:7)

Since JOY is a state of being in Christ we do not need to be in a good mood to resource it, we just need to praise and worship God in the midst of our storm and allow the joy of the Lord to strengthen our souls and protect us from acting on our emotional feelings in ways that can harm us or others. Your emotions were given to you by God. Emotional expression is not unhealthy, but you can express emotions in an unhealthy way.

To help us live healthily with our emotions God has provided the fruits of the spirit. What are they?

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Gal. 5:22)

These nine fruits develop our character so that we can express our emotions in a healthy way and glorify God in the process. They also help defuse emotional triggers so that we maintain self-control. Did you notice that JOY is one of the fruits of the Spirit? As you embrace the Joy of the Lord you will start producing Joy as a fruit. People around you will take note of the fruit of Joy being produced in your life.

As we worship God we link up to the fountain of Joy. If you need joy in your life, access it through worship. Begin now to PRAISE THE LORD. Sing, praise, lift up the name of Jesus. You will discover the joy of the lord and will be strengthened to take another step in faith.