December 18, 2020 - LMA Seven Principles: Principle #3

LMA Principle #3 - Take Charge of Your Emotions.

Unwise emotional reactions get all of us in trouble a lot of the time. Emotions are wonderful God-given blessings. They add to life and enhance our enjoyment and provide us with special moments in life. But, they are also frail, fragile things that can and do at times overwhelm us and lead to faulty, negative decisions and actions.

• Proverbs 15:13: "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

• Proverbs 16:32: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit (emotions) than he who takes a city."

• Proverbs 29:11: "A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.

Principle 3 reminds us that uncontrolled emotions can be very detrimental to our recovery/spiritual growth. It also reminds us that emotions are God-given gifts for our enjoyment and pleasure. May we seek God's guidance and presence in our emotions so that we will use them wisely.

• Ephesians 4:26 (TPT): But don't let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don't let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day.

• Ephesians 4:26 (Mirror Bible): Even if you think you have a valid excuse, do not let anger dominate your day! If you don't deal with it immediately [in the light of the likeness of Christ in you], the sun sets for you, and your day becomes one of lost opportunity where darkness employs anger to snare you into sin.

Do not allow uncontrolled emotions to cause you turmoil and confusion. Do not allow anger to control your heart…..not even for a day.

Enough said.

Blessings All Around,

Rannie Childress

Senior Pastor, Trinitarian Grace International