Taming “Wild” Emotions

Do you ever feel that your emotions are running wild? Learn how to tame them with wise advice from my guest today, author Melissa Spoelstra.

Melissa has a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute and is the author of the following women’s Bible studies:  Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World; Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness, and First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree.

In addition, Melissa has written Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Making Disciples at Home.

You can connect with Melissa directly at www.melissaspoelstra.com.

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1. What are your favorite scriptures that help you manage your emotions and why?

One of my favorites is 1 John 3:20: “Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything (NLT).”

Feelings must be acknowledged, but God is greater than our feelings. In His strength we can combat feelings like shame, guilt, fear, and impulsive urges.

When we admit we have these feelings and bring them to the Lord, then He can help us tame the “wild horses” inside that want to control our attitudes and decisions.

2. What are 3 of your best tips to help others manage their emotions in Godly ways?

• Acknowledge your emotions. Say, “I feel angry, tired, guilty, etc.” Bringing feelings out of the darkness of stuffing and into the light of acknowledgement start us down the path to victory.

• Talk to yourself; don’t listen to yourself. Rehearse God’s truth and the consequences of giving into short term emotions.

Consider how you’ll feel an hour or a day after making the impulsive choice. Whether it’s regarding food or finances, most people agree that emotional decisions often are not the best ones.

• Delay decisions. Wait for emotions to shake out and then reevaluate a choice once time has had a chance to let the height of emotion come down to a reasonable level.

3. What sabotaging thoughts (lies) do Believers need to release that keep them in bondage to negative emotions? 

Shame is the biggest one for me personally. Once I make one little slip, my emotions can produce shame that leads me to continue making bad choices.

For example, if I eat something I know that is not good for me, I will feel bad and throw in the towel. I’ll stop fighting the battle for health and surrender to whatever party in my mouth to assuage my feelings of shame.

Kim’s Note: You can learn how to manage the shame and guilt of which Melissa speaks in the following article.

4. What are some things Believers can do at the “moment of decision” when they are tempted to practice destructive behavior when emotionally upset?

One of the most practical helps I’ve experienced for those “in the moment” decisions is a physical change of posture.

I get up and take a short walk or go into another room. Perhaps I’ll call a friend as a distraction or start a small task.

By changing my physical position, I can better redirect my emotional, mental, and spiritual posture as well.

– Melissa

You can connect with Melissa directly at www.melissaspoelstra.com.

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I thank Melissa for sharing her wisdom with us!

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,

Kimberly Taylor

Creator of the Take Back Your Temple program