I am the world's worse person in
regards to overreacting emotionally. I cry easily (whether happy, sad or overcome by God's goodness), laugh quickly, feel sad
deeply and respond angrily when one of my triggers is pulled.
I am melancholy and emotional; but
thankfully, God's Spirit is transforming my negative traits over the years. I
am learning to be spirit-controlled, so that His fruit replaces my carnal
tendencies (Galatians 5:22-23).
Yet, I am still not perfect. The
biggest gift God gave to me is the ability to process my feelings before I
express them. This often results in me staring blankly at someone and causing
an uncomfortable void in the conversation.
They expect a reaction and I'm
sitting numb before them. However, this is healthier than blasting them with
anger or a fit of tears and confusing them with my fleshly responses.
Hunger, sleep deprivation, stress
and emotional depletion will make us more vulnerable to overreacting with
negative emotions. Removing those hindrances is of paramount importance.
I also learned to say, "I will
talk to my husband about that and we will pray about it together. Then I will
let you know." Some impatient people want an instant reply, but that is
never wise to give to anyone about anything.
Journaling my feelings and my
responses to their comment or request helps me to sort through my initial
reactions. The Holy Spirit may even reveal unresolved conflicts in my
subconscious mind that triggered the immediate negative response in me.
God's Spirit is teaching me to
abide in my spirit instead of in my flesh and soul - thoughts, choices and
emotions. I filter life through my spirit and then take stock of my emotional
and physical responses. This is called setting a boundary, and it gives us
space and time to hear God's wisdom.
Prayer:
Father God, teach us to respond
to life and to people with the same care, compassion and love which Jesus
exhibited during His lifetime. He did speak harshly to some people, like the
Pharisees, but He had the authority to do this and we do not. Fill us with Your
compassion and give us Your heart toward people, especially toward the
household of Your Saints - the church.
Help us to mix Your wisdom with
our emotional responses and to take the time to allow this to occur, even if it
means that we do not say anything at all when someone says or does or requests
something from us. It may be awkward for the moment, but it will prevent
embarrassing and needless confrontation or apologies, and increase our
effectiveness for Your Kingdom in this world.
Thought for the Day:
Once the past, the current and
the fearful future issues of our life are dealt with in our mind, then we can
hear God's will about the matters at hand and walk in His Spirit while we pray
without ceasing and obey His direction. - Proverbs 3:5-6
