Transformed, Part 4: Emotional Health - How to Deal With How You Feel, Nov 23, 2014

Summary: MK 12:29-30 "The most important commandment is this: You must love the Lord your God with ALL YOUR HEART, and all your SOUL, and all your MIND, and all your STRENGTH." (NLT) Some facts about your emotions: 1. God has emotions 2. My ability to feel is a gift from God. GEN. 1:26 "God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness" 3. There are two extremes to avoid: Emotionalism: all that matters is how I feel. Stoicism: feelings aren’t important at all 4. God gave us the book of PSALMS to understand our emotions. WHY I MUST LEARN TO MANAGE MY EMOTIONS? 4 important reasons 1. BECAUSE MY FEELINGS ARE OFTEN UNRELIABLE. PR. 14:12 "There is a way that SEEMS right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death." 2. BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE MANIPULATED. PR. 25:28 "Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings." (NAB PR.25:28 (NLT) "A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls." 1 PET. 5:8 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" 3. BECAUSE I WANT TO PLEASE GOD. ROM. 8:6-8 "To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.... Those who obey their human nature cannot please God." (TEV) 4. BECAUSE I WANT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE. PR. 5:23 "(People) get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." (CEV) 1 PET. 4:2 "From now on you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires." (TEV) HOW TO MANAGE AN UNWANTED FEELING 1. NAME IT! FACT: I’m often confused about what I’m feeling. PS. 55:2 "My thoughts are restless, and I am confused" (GW) ASK: What am I really feeling? I must name it in order to tame it. 2. CHALLENGE IT! PS.26:2 (screen) "Lord, cross-examine me. Test my motives and my affections." (NLT) JOB 15:12 Elephaz asked Job: "Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash?" ASK 3 questions 1. What’s the real reason I’m feeling this? 2. Is it true? 3. It is helping or hurting me? 3. TAME IT! A. Sometimes you just need to CHANGE what you’re feeling. PH. 2:5 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" B. Sometimes you need to CHANNEL what you’re feeling HOW DO YOU TAME A WILD EMOTION? ZECH. 4:6 'You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord All-Powerful. (NCV) 2 Starter Suggestions: 1. Everyday, ask God to fill me with his Spirit GAL. 5:22-23 When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Whatever is INSIDE you is going to come out! 2. Everyday: Ask God to help me manage my mouth PR. 13:3 "Self-control means controlling the tongue!" (LB) THIS IS KEY: MAKE GOD’S WORD MY WORD! PS. 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV) PS. 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord!"