Be Careful of Your Emotions

Have you ever had your emotions run away on you? Sure you have! You know how it goes: something you're feeling – either good or bad, happy or sad – overrides the common sense that you normally display … so you end up making a decision, or you say or do something that you later go on to regret big-time! We can never ignore our emotions. They're a huge part of who we are as human beings, as people made – I very much believe – in the very image of God. Imagine if you were completely devoid of emotion, purely relying on logic and reason to get you through life … what an unfulfilling life that would be. Yep, our emotions are a good thing, so let's never deny them … but man, they can get us into some trouble, can't they? And that's where self-control comes in. That's why as we grow, as we develop in maturity, we each have to learn to balance our emotions and instinctive reactions with reason, with kindness, with consideration for others. Some people learn that lesson well, even rather easily it seems. For others like me, it's a life-long pursuit. Wherever you are on the spectrum of emotional intelligence, listen up: Proverbs 25:28 People who cannot control themselves are like cities without walls to protect them. In other words, in the absence of self-control your life will constantly be plundered by the consequences of your mistakes. So, as someone once said, never reply when you're angry, never make a promise when you're exuberantly happy and never make an important decision when you're sad. Because … people who can't control themselves are like cities without walls to protect them. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.