Originally published Monday, 24 February 2014.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
Buckle up ladies, because we’re about to go for a roller coaster ride! But brace yourself, because at some point on this ride, we will come to an immediate stop. Personally, I love roller coasters…absolutely love them, but NOT the emotional kind. Unfortunately as women, we face so many ups and downs, highs and lows, twist and turns that sometimes makes you want to scream STOP! Don’t you wish there was an emergency button that you could just hit on yourself to halt the emotional madness? Well, I hope and pray that today’s post will help all of us learn how to manage our soul, which ultimately means gaining control over our mind, will, and emotions.
For starters, our soul is the emotional and moral state of who we are (according to the online free dictionary). It’s made up of the way we think about things, our own free will, and what we feel is right or wrong based upon our own opinions. This is where we usually get into trouble. But Jesus tells us in Mark 12:30 that the most important commandment is this, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” (NLT)
Loving God with all of our soul takes work. Once we become born again, the Holy Spirit does dwell within us to help us live this life, but we still have a free will. We still have to decide to make right choices for our actions. Have you ever found yourself getting upset about something, being moody, aggravated, disgusted, bitter, or unforgiving? I know that I have. It’s just our emotions running away with us. Usually an outburst of anger or a flow of tears doesn’t just happen when things are going great in our lives. Something or someone has triggered it. Yet, that’s when we need to slow it down and try to pinpoint what’s going on inside and ask the Lord to help us. We need to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry, because out anger can never make thinks right in God’s sight. That’s what James 1:19-20 states.
Whenever we feel like any of the above examples, we have to go to Scripture. Without the word, it will be very hard to manage our emotions. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” When we renew our minds with the word, that’s when we can make the right decisions and do God’s will. But if we don’t have any word memorized or hidden in our hearts, that’s when we can make some crucial mistakes. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (NLT) The word is vital to managing the soul!
Listen sis, Jesus is interested in us having godly character, while the enemy is interested in having us act out of character. That’s why it’s so important for us to have a consistent prayer life and a healthy balance in God’s word. We can’t let the enemy or our soul get the best of us! And sometimes, unfortunately the flesh wins, but once we realize our error, that’s when we need to make it right with the Lord. And there’s no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. So don’t get hung up there, because Satan loves that! It’s just time to make a conscious choice today to get off of the roller coaster ride of emotions, because it ultimately pleases God. All agreed?
Here are just a few helpful tips for us all when it comes down to managing our emotions…
- Let go and let God
- Trust Him
- Go into the prayer closet and talk to the Lord about what’s happening
- *Forgive the person who wronged you and don’t let bitterness creep into your heart
- Drink some hot tea or take a hot, relaxing bath (especially if it’s that special time…cycle)
- Recognize where you are and have a good cry to God (take a ride to cool off if you need to and surrender everything to Jesus)
- Order and read the book, "Managing Your Emotions" by Joyce Meyer
- Most importantly, read the word and speak the word over your situation…it’s pretty powerful!
Well, it’s time to say enough is enough and stop the emotional roller coaster in its tracks by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sure, we’ll have rough days, but at least now, we’ll know how to deal with it better and make fewer mistakes, right? Once we learn to put our flesh under subjection with the word of God and prayer, that’s when we’ll have power! That’s when we’ll have victory! That’s when we’ll have deliverance! And that’s when we’ll be able to manage our soul! Let’s do this!
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts! Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye) and share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
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