EMOTIONS

Are you able to manage your negative emotions in the moment they arise?  Are able to keep your emotions from pulling them somewhere you don’t want them to be or should be [Mark 7:20-23]?  Our emotions are driven by our thoughts.  When we let our thoughts run amuck, they will drive our emotions [Proverbs 4:23].  Manage (capture) your thoughts and you will manage your emotions including negative emotions [Romans 12:2].  Negative emotions are driven by negative thoughts and inversely, positive emotions are driven by positive thoughts.  Negative emotions drive stress, anxiety, anger, frustration, et al while positive emotions drive hope, joy, optimism, et al.  Which one is more productive [1 Peter 1:13]?  This is why the Good News of Jesus Christ instructs us to capture all thoughts and to think about those things that are praiseworthy [Philippians 4:8-9 & 2 Corinthians 10:5].  In other words, to put our thoughts and emotions in a position where they will be most productive even in challenging circumstances [James 1:12-15].  Start by naming what you are feeling so it loses its emotional hold of you.  It will engage purposeful thinking to take control over emotional thoughts.  Manage your thoughts and you will be able to manage your emotions in the moment of your circumstances [Colossians 3:1-2].