I want to explore with you one of the most important subjects that we can ever understand in our journey with God. There is a fundamental challenge that every human being faces in understanding our emotions. In my experience as a local church pastor, most of the people I encounter confront this issue without taking the necessary time to examine what is really happening and, more importantly, how to overcome this challenge in a way that leads to victory.
In the first part of this two-part series on achieving victory over our emotions, I aim to explain, in a straightforward manner, how our human emotions operate. I also intend to show how this area of our lives consistently leads us into patterns of failure or sin and, most importantly, how we can step into a clear and present victory that I believe God offers to each of His children.
Our emotions are both wonderful and mysterious. Many of us experience a conflicted relationship with our feelings. On a practical level, we often struggle to differentiate between our emotions and our true selves. When we experience an emotion, it frequently dominates our reality, leading us to mistakenly believe that the emotion defines our entire being. It is common to find ourselves, perhaps even daily, in situations where our emotions drive us to act against what we know to be God’s will, against our better judgment, or into decisions that we later regret. The challenge that we all face is this: regardless of our strong resolve, pre-made decisions, or well-intentioned resolutions, a powerful emotional pull can easily override our intended path.
It is worth noting that it is relatively simple to make decisions when we are looking toward the future. For example, at the start of a new year, many of us make resolutions with clarity and strong intention. We outline choices that we believe will lead our lives in a better direction. Such decisions are made while we are removed from the immediate experience of emotion. However, when we are confronted with strong feelings later on, these positive intentions often seem insufficient. In those moments, our emotional state can feel overwhelming, steering us away from our earlier resolutions.
A common difficulty is that many of us cannot separate our feelings from our identity. We have an innate tendency to assume that our emotions define who we are. When an emotion is experienced, it is undeniably real and intense, a notion reinforced by countless cultural messages, including those in popular music. One of the most valuable insights I have learned is the importance of distinguishing between one’s feelings and one’s true self. While our emotions are genuine, they are not permanent, and they do not constitute our essence.
It is useful to consider that our soul is comprised of three distinct components: our will, our mind, and our emotions. When our feelings speak to us, they can seem overwhelmingly dominant. If another person comes seeking advice about a difficult area in their life, it is often easier for us to provide objective counsel. Yet, when we find ourselves amid an emotional storm, our willpower may seem small in comparison with the overwhelming force of our feelings. Recognizing this reality is the first step in our journey toward emotional victory. In this post and the following one, I will provide practical keys to help you learn to govern your emotions instead of allowing them to govern you.
The first step in changing any emotional state is to acknowledge the condition in which you are presently. Although this may appear obvious, it is often the case that we do not immediately realize which emotional state we are experiencing. The danger lies in drawing conclusions or making decisions based on an unrecognized or unexamined state of emotion. Often, we are so immersed in our feelings that they become the environment in which we operate. Much like a fish that is unaware of the water in which it lives, we may not notice our emotional context until we move from one dramatic state to another. For instance, leaving the comfort of a warm home for the cold air outside produces an immediate and unmistakable difference. In a similar manner, if we become accustomed to a particular state of emotion, recognizing it becomes a vital key to changing its influence.
One helpful practice in this regard is mindfulness. Although some Christians may approach the term with apprehension, mindfulness simply means taking a moment to objectively examine how you truly feel. Over the last few years, I have engaged in periods of fasting from food, during which I have noticed a predictable pattern. Typically, in the afternoon, as physical hunger begins to set in, I also experience an emotional downturn, a feeling of sadness and despondency that resembles a brief period of depression. In these moments, the mere thought of satisfying my hunger by eating is magnified by the emotional state in which I find myself.
I have learned that by taking two or three minutes to pause and carefully analyze my current emotional and physical state, I can gain a clearer perspective. More often than not, I discover that while I may be experiencing some level of hunger or discomfort, the intensity of these feelings is relatively manageable, perhaps only reaching five to ten percent of their perceived power. This reflection helps me to understand that I have allowed my emotions to begin influencing my behavior, and it is within this fertile ground for emotion that temptation may arise.
Another practical measure is to invite the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Instead of inadvertently slipping into a state of emotion that may lead to unfavorable decisions, I have found it beneficial to ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Our gracious and ever-present friend, the Holy Spirit, is available to help, direct, and counsel us in our daily lives. When you ask for His help in recognizing the onset of an unproductive state of emotion, trust that He will reveal what is occurring. In my own experience, I have discovered that when I grant permission for the Holy Spirit to intervene, He consistently follows through with clarity and support.
Once you have recognized the state of emotion in which you are immersed, the next key is to take authority over those negative feelings. When our emotions become overwhelming, they often dominate our thoughts and influence our decisions. As a result, we find ourselves locked into a cycle in which our emotions dictate our subsequent actions. Recognizing that our state of emotion is currently steering our thought processes is essential in reclaiming control over our lives.
When you become aware of a specific emotional condition, you have the opportunity to reclaim the steering wheel of your life. It is important to assert your authority in that situation. This process does not mean that you deny the reality of your feelings; rather, you are denying those feelings the power to dictate your actions. When you experience feelings of sadness or discouragement, speak to these emotions and declare that they will no longer hold sway over your decisions. Affirm that you are in control of your thoughts and that you will not allow these feelings to dominate your will.
It is crucial to recognize that we cannot simply choose to turn our emotions on or off. Although we are not always in direct control of the initial emotional surge, we are in command of our will and our thought processes. When you consciously choose to focus your will on a particular idea or perspective, your emotions tend to follow. In many cases, our emotional responses are delayed reflections of the state of our will and mind. By directing your thought life in a positive and constructive manner, you can eventually influence your state of emotion, even if the change is gradual.
The third key to mastering your emotions is to understand that you cannot truly combat a negative feeling by struggling with it directly. When you attempt to wrestle with an emotion, you often engage with it more deeply, thereby giving it additional power. Instead, the strategy is to displace the negative emotion with a greater truth.
A scriptural illustration of this principle is found in Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV):
“We will provide for those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
By focusing on the truth that God desires you to experience joy and fulfillment, you can begin to shift your emotional state. When you concentrate on a feeling, you unintentionally magnify its presence in your life. The goal, therefore, is to change the channel of your emotional focus. Ask yourself what state of emotion God desires for you at this moment. Through faith, step into that truth and align your present experience with the reality that is already available to you in Christ Jesus.
To further illustrate this point, consider a scenario in which you wake up feeling sad, despondent, and without purpose. In such a state, life may seem devoid of meaning, and you might feel overwhelmed by lethargy, guilt, or shame. The first step is to recognize this condition. Take a moment to acknowledge your feelings without judgment. State to yourself, “I am experiencing sadness right now.” Recognizing the reality of your current state does not mean that you are resigned to it; rather, it is an important first step toward transformation.
The next step is to take authority over your state of emotion. This might involve a physical change in posture, such as rising from bed or standing up, to affirm your determination to overcome the negative condition. In doing so, speak firmly and clearly to your feelings. Declare that these emotions no longer have the authority to dictate your actions. In this way, you are asserting control over your mind and body.
The subsequent step is to determine and embrace the state of emotion that God desires for you. It is my conviction that God wishes for you to experience a life filled with joy, passion, and enthusiasm for His presence, for your identity in Christ, and for the daily opportunities that He provides. Take a moment to envision yourself as the person that God sees you to be—a person empowered by His truth and love. Then, through faith, step into that new reality. This process involves a deliberate choice to reject the negative emotions that have held you captive and to adopt the renewed identity that God bestows upon you.
Scripture reinforces this transformation in Ephesians 4:22-24 (NKJV):
“That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
By allowing this truth to shape your thoughts and actions, you begin to move from the old state of emotion toward a renewed state of mind and spirit. This is not to say that your feelings will immediately change. Instead, it is a gradual process in which your will and thought life align with the identity that God has given you. Over time, this deliberate alignment will lead your emotions to reflect the peace, joy, and strength that are inherent in your new state.
Let us consider a practical scenario that may be familiar to many. Imagine that on a particular day you awaken feeling overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and discouragement. The weight of these feelings makes it difficult to see any hope or purpose in the day ahead. In this situation, applying the three keys outlined above can be transformative.
First, take a moment to pause and reflect on your feelings. Acknowledge the sadness without immediately judging yourself or the emotion. Recognize that you are in a temporary state and that it does not define your entire identity. By admitting, “I am feeling this way right now,” you create space for change.
Next, exercise your will by physically and verbally asserting control. Stand up, change your posture, and speak a declaration over your situation. For example, you might say, “I acknowledge these feelings, but I will not allow them to govern my decisions today.” This act of taking authority over your state of emotion is both a physical and mental affirmation of your power to choose a different path.
Finally, consciously decide to embrace the state of emotion that God intends for you. Reflect on the promise of joy and passion that comes from being a child of God. Visualize yourself engaging with the day in a manner that reflects this truth. As you make this choice, allow your mind and will to direct your focus away from the negative feelings and toward the positive reality that God has established for you. Over time, and with persistent effort, you may notice that your emotional responses begin to shift in alignment with this new direction.
The process of achieving victory over our emotions is not instantaneous. It requires recognition of our current state, a deliberate exercise of our will, and a conscious decision to replace negative feelings with the truth of who we are in Christ. In recognizing that our emotions are not permanent and do not define us, we reclaim our power. We learn to live not under the sway of fleeting feelings but according to the enduring promises of God.
As you practice these principles daily, recognizing your emotions, asserting control over them, and intentionally choosing the state that aligns with God’s desire for you, you will find that your emotional life gradually transforms. This transformation is not merely a change in mood, but a profound shift in the way you experience and interact with the world around you. It is a journey toward aligning your inner reality with the eternal truth found in Christ Jesus.
I invite you to reflect on these keys and integrate them into your daily life. In our next blog post, we will explore additional practical strategies and deeper insights on how to continue this journey toward emotional victory. May you experience the peace and strength that come from aligning your heart, mind, and will with God’s purpose, and may you walk confidently in the freedom that is available to every one of His children.