Lies Women Believe ... About Emotions

I am a women. Therefore, I am the most emotional being on the planet! I will be the first to admit my emotions get the best of me too often. It's a constant struggle and Satan is well aware of that. I've let emotions control my behaviors, responses and attitudes. God purposefully designed us to be able to feel and express an array of emotions that reflects His heart and brings glory to Him. The problem isn't that we have emotions - it's that ours are tainted unlike God's who are perfect. Satan uses us emotional women in bondage, making us believe things about our emotions that just aren't true. The challenge we face is letting the Spirit of God sanctify us to expressed our emotions in a godly way.

I've had those days that seems go from bad to worse. I get crabby and make the personal decision to REMAIN crabby for the rest of the day. I know that tomorrow will be a new day so I can make amends then. This attitude of obeying the Lord when it's convenient for me is far from what the Truth instructs. The Bible tells us to hasten and not delay obeying God's commands. (Psalm 119:60)

So why do we instead naturally turn to things like food, shopping, venting, etc. when our emotions are on a roller coaster?

Selfishly, we find comfort in instant gratification. It's easier to vent to a friend or indulge in a bag of chips then to go to the Lord. When we go to the Lord we usually don't find instant relief but we need to go to the Him first even if it calls for us to be patient! It's crazy to say but the next time you are moody go to prayer. I know personally, that is one of the last things that I think to do. God is our friend and should be the first we go to when our emotions begin to rule over us.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything , but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,  will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7

I feel for my husband when I'm overwhelmed with emotions. Like clockwork, my hormones get the best of me every month. I get easily irritated by petty things and find myself igniting contentless arguments. The Enemy wants me to justify my fleshly, sinful attitudes and responses based on my physical condition and hormonal changes.  But there is simply no excuse for my ungodly attitude and behavior - even if it's that time of the month. I must turn my trust to God and look to him in hope. He is well aware of the hormonal changes I face - he created me for goodness sakes! With practice, I need to have my fluctuating emotions draw me closer to the Lord. Every time I feel overwhelmed, I need have purposeful time with Him and express my emotions through prayer.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, 

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained from me 

were written in your book before one of them came to be. - Psalm 139:13-16

The Bible is a book FULL of coping skills for any situation we are facing. The next time we feel our emotions overflowing let's have our immediate response be going to the Bible and seeking the Lord prayer! Let the body of Christ minister grace. After we've prayed ourselves,  seek a spiritual leader and ask the to pray as well.

To close, try not to don't dwell on the things bothering you, go to prayer when you feel overwhelmed, seek the Truth, learn to cope by spending time in the Word and find a spiritual leader to pray for you and assist when needed.