How’s Your Soul? Abiding in Emotional Health Part 3: Owning Our Emotions 3 John 1:2-4 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  ​​​​​​​ - Emotions are a gift from God as we experience the world around because they enhance and enrich our lives when processed correctly. - God speaks to us through our emotions if we will listen. - Part of an abundant life is being emotionally heathy John 10:10 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 8:36 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. James 1:22 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Owning Our Emotions “Yet emotions are our most direct reaction to our perception of ourselves and the world around us. Whether positive or negative, feelings put us in touch with our true selves. They are neither good nor bad: they are simply the truth of what is going on within us. What we do with our feelings will determine whether we live lives of honesty or of deceit.” (Brennan Manning, Abba's Child) Ecclesiastes 3:4-6 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; Your Emotions Are Unique To You God created you with your unique perspectives, personality, way of thinking, and emotions. Psalm 139:13-15 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. - Some of the factors contributing to your emotional make up are --Gender/Age/Family of Origin/Religion/Ethnicity/Personality Type/Education/ Life Experience Emotions Can Be A Mirror To Us About Us - Emotions are indicators of what we are experiencing, but they don't tell the whole story. - We need to start seeing emotions less as a lens through which to perceive the world, and more as a mirror to look into self.  - Emotions mirror to us our personalities, story, past, present, and future. Proverbs 27:19 19 As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. - When you are looking into your emotional mirror, ask questions like - What is this emotion telling me about me? - What are my emotions reflecting to me about me today? Reacting Verses Responding - When we don’t learn to control or manage our emotions they will control us. - Amygdala Hijack Pattern = Trigger, Instant Reaction, Strong Emotion, Feeling Regret - Emotional Hijacking pattern of React>Regret>Repair - Emotional Brain helps us make quick decisions - Rational brain helps us make sound decisions - The emotional brain processes information in 2 milliseconds. That’s 250 times faster than the rational brain which processes information in 500 milliseconds. Moving From Reacting To Responding - Emotional health isn’t about being able to totally control your emotions. While we may not be able to control what we feel, we can to a significant degree, control how long we feel it. With God’s Help and with some practice we can change our emotional pattern. Dr. Gary Oliver - We change, develop, and grow by abiding in the Word and creating a new pattern to process our emotions. Psalm 119:9-11 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. - By abiding in the Word, you can slowly change your thinking and emotional pattern. - What we think and dwell upon often leads to what we feel. Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Implement A New Emotional Process And Pattern - Responding pattern= Name Them> Own Them>Control Them> Release Them - Discovering your emotions is a process Ephesians 4:26-27 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. - Name Them - There are more than 600 variations of emotions that we can experience and 42 Muscles in your face to express them. - Own them/Feel them/Listen to them James 1:19-20 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. - Ask What Questions Not Why Questions - What does this emotion say about me to me? Instead of, why do I feel this way? - What is this emotion revealing to me about me?  - Control Them 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, - Release Them 1 Peter 5:6-7 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Psalm 9:1 9 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. Learn The Art Of Handling Your Emotions - Emotional heath is an ongoing process for the rest of your life. It’s not about perfection but growth. Psalm 37:23-24 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. - A few encouragements on the art of emotional health: - Start “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”   ― James Sherman - Don’t let condemnation guide you. Romans 8:1 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. - Emotions can be rational or irrational, but the emotion is still valid and needs processed. 3 Practical Ways to Abide in Emotional Health (from Chip Dodd’s book Voice of the Heart) - Feel the Feelings - Tell the Truth John 8:32 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Feelings don’t always equal facts. Proverbs 3:5 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; - Ask God And Your Biblical Community For Help - Talk with God and those you trust about your emotions. Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. By choosing to grow and develop in our emotional health, we are able to know Christ and make Him known in greater ways.