Mastering Your Emotions: Relational Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
Mastering Your Emotions: Relational Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
James Long, Jr.
Message Exposition
1. Clarity: Understanding our Emotions
Eight Basic Observations about Emotions
• Emotions are built into all people in all cultures by God’s design (Psalm 32:11)
• Emotions are complex and involve our whole being (Exodus 32:19; 2 Samuel 18:33; Mark 1:41)
• Emotions drive some of our most noble and constructive behaviors (Exodus 2:5-6; Daniel 1:9)
• Emotions can also drive some of our most regrettable and destructive behaviors (Genesis 37:11; Acts 7:54)
• Emotions are not inherently sinful (John 8:29)
• Human emotions are often twisted by sin.
• We have hope for change. Through the gospel, God has redeemed us from the curse of sin (Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
The key steps in redeeming and controlling our emotions are:
• To bring them to God in humility, faith, and prayer
• To examine them in the light of God’s truth
• To ask Him for the grace, wisdom, and strength we need to harness the power of our emotions so that their ultimate impact is to move us to love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
2. Capsized by Out-of-Control Emotions
3. Controlling and Mastering Our Emotions (READ Acrostic)
There is hope. With practice, these six essential skills can become habits…
• God-awareness – Remember (Proverbs 9:10)
• God-engagement – Faithfulness (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Self-awareness – Humility (Proverbs 22:4)
• Self-engagement – Discipline (Proverbs 10:17; 12:1)
• Other-awareness – Compassion (Proverbs 3:3-13)
• Other-engagement – Service (Proverbs 19:17)
READ
Recognize our emotions
Evaluate the source
Anticipate the consequences
Direct them in godly ways
4. Conquering Ungodly Emotions
• Instead of Sinful Anger…Patience and Kindness (Proverbs 14:30; 19:11; 29:22)
• Instead of Pride…Humility and Honesty (Proverbs 3:7; 18:12; 26:12)
• Instead of Unforgiveness and Bitterness…Forgiveness and Freedom (Proverbs 24:17 and 31:6)
• Instead of Depression…Hope and Joy (Proverbs 12:25-28; 15:13)
• Instead of Fear, Anxiety, and Worry…Love and Trust (Proverbs 12:25; 14:10; 18:14)
Three Necessary Attitudes and Action to Conquer Ungodly Emotions
• Honest self-evaluation
• Confession and repentance
• Learn the biblical process
5. Cultivating Godly Emotions
• Renewing our minds
• Worship
• Preaching
• Faith-building relationships
• Word and Prayer
• Reading, Meditating, and Imagination
Questions to Ponder
• What am I feeling? What are my moods and attitudes? Recognize your emotions (Psalm 42:5; Matthew 14:30; Philippians 4:6)
• Why am I feeling this way? Evaluate their sources (Psalm 73:2-3; Proverbs 20:5; James 1:13-15)
• What will happen if I give into these emotions? Anticipate the consequences of following them Proverbs 15:18; 22:3; Colossians 3:5-6)
• How can I redirect my emotions to express them in godly ways? Direct them on a constructive course (Proverbs 15:1; 25:15; John 12:27; Colossians 3:12-13)
-
4:11
Bible Study | VerseVisionaries.com
1 month agoCan We Truly Trust in the Lord? Proverbs 3:5-6
77 -
25:00
The Michael Wall Show
7 months agoProverbs 13: Ancient Wisdom for MODERN Challenges
26 -
3:02
alexispere
1 year agoThe Book of Proverbs Chapter 1 | Wisdom of Solomon l A Man Thinketh
13 -
3:16
alexispere
1 year agoThe Book of Proverbs Chapter 3 | Wisdom of Solomon l A Man Thinketh
9 -
4:55
Campbellfamily07
2 months ago“Seeking Divine Wisdom” (Psalm 143:8, Proverbs 3:5-6)
35 -
3:55
Bible Study | VerseVisionaries.com
1 month agoHow Can We Find Life, Righteousness, and Honor? Proverbs 21:21
40 -
3:19
alexispere
1 year agoThe Book of Proverbs Chapter 1 | Wisdom of Solomon l A Man Thinketh
10 -
17:39
The Michael Wall Show
6 months agoDiscover the Ancient Wisdom of Proverbs 27
291 -
31:46
The Book of the true Life
1 year agoThe Master... Every Person is a Lesson for other People ❤️ Book of the true Life Teaching 11 / 366
1081 -
1:36:48
Bíblia Católica Online
10 months agoProverbs - Wisdom for Daily Living - King James Version
38