The Tide of My Emotion

"Turning the tide of my emotions has long been an enigma to me.

Most of us get so tired of trying to tackle our emotions that we simply let them lead.

The problem with that is emotions can change so quickly I end up going in circles."

This quote from my own book made me stop and recognize some things that are leading me that I don't want to be led by. I've been feeling shaky and it's because I've been depending on my emotions...even though I know better.

I hope this excerpt from the intro to Week 2 of my latest study encourages you to lead your emotions instead of letting them take you hostage:

"David learned how to use praise as a weapon to stop the lies of his enemies by speaking the truth. We need to learn how to fight back so we can stop being dragged in circles by lies that  affect our emotions. David understood the need to practice and train with weapons. We have  got to start training with our spiritual weapons, or we will lose the battle in our minds over and  over again.

In many psalms we see an illustration of David’s vulnerability versus God’s strength, and God’s strength wins every time. David brings his emotions and circumstances to God and is strengthened by affirming God’s character and reminding himself of God’s past provision. We, too, have to practice and train with the weapon of praise that shuts down all ungodly lies. Instead  of fighting with our own hands, we have to let who God is and what God has done fight our  battles. We need to pair our vulnerabilities with God’s strength and watch Him get the glory. 

In my daily life, I can be overwhelmed by the simplest of things: impatience with a needy  child, anger over something my husband said (and I’m probably misunderstanding), envy because I am comparing myself with someone else, and many other situations that entangle my thoughts. 

These are all opportunities to experience God’s strength. When I acknowledge my need, choose to praise Him inside it, and ask for His strength to infuse me, I am poised to watch Him receive glory. Recognizing my need can be the hardest part, admitting my need isn't easy either.

When circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, we need to affirm out loud that God is with us and trust Him for deliverance. Praise God for who He is and let that change the direction  of your thoughts."

Praise can both glorify God which I am created to do simultaneously filling my purpose and filling my soul. It puts my energy into the right things and calms the restless energy of fear in my heart.

Steal this prayer for your day if you need to take charge of your thoughts:

Father, Thank You. That's it. Thank You. You are what my heart needs. Help me recognize the things that crowd and jumble my thoughts and help me keep turning them back to You. Help me as I have to do this over and over and over and over. Help me escape the ruts my thoughts get into and choose a different road that leads me to eternity and not futility. That road is praise. It lifts my eyes and encourages my heart. I choose praise to turn the tide of my thoughts back dependence on You. Let my mind and heart make a list all day that overwhelms my soul with the reasons I have to take joy in You. In Jesus name, Amen.