Episode 305: How to Find Freedom in Your Emotional Life

Episode 305: How to Find Freedom in Your Emotional Life Some weeks ago, at our family local church, where we worship, we explored the role of emotions in living victorious lifestyles . In Hannah’s words ….. - “Our emotions are like a gauge. Our feelings alert us to what is happening to n our lives and environment.” - “Our emotions are wired into what we believe and value “ “What do you base your emotions on? ‘Perceived reality’ or ‘truth’” “What dictate your truth ? Your feelings or God’s truth?” “Is your feeling a gauge or your god? “ Align your emotions with God’s Word The starting point to finding freedom in our emotional lives is to think Biblically; aligning our emotions with God’s Word. Taking a journey into the story of Joseph, a young lad, much loved by his father whose dreams seemed to be shattered when he was sold by his brothers to an Egyptian who bought him as his slave. Having read his response to his old brothers in Gen 45.5 Hmmn I had a pause! I had a reflective thinking! “Now don’t be worried. Don’t be angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me here ahead of you to save people’s lives. No food has grown on the land for two years now. And there will be five more years without planting or harvest. So God sent me here ahead of you. This was to make sure you have some descendants left on earth. And it was to keep you alive in an amazing way. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. God has made me the highest officer of the king of Egypt. I am in charge of his palace. I am the master of all the land of Egypt.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭ICB‬‬ In retrospective, Joseph must have felt unloved and betrayed when his brothers made jest of him, threw him into a pit and eventually sold him. He must have felt angry for being unjustly thrown into the prison for what he did not do. He definitely must have felt FORGOTTEN BY GOD when the cupbearer he helped interpreted dreams for seemed not to show him favour by informing the right authority. Undoubtedly, the ordeal must have been tough on Joseph. So, how did he handle his feelings? How did he handle his emotions? What did he do that helped him to interpret his ordeals rightly? Joseph thought Biblically. Joseph intentionally brought his mind back to God and His Words. Prior to his challenges, Joseph must have been dedicated to studying and meditating on God’s Words . For instance “…Joseph gave his father bad reports about his brothers.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭2‬ ‭ICB‬‬ “…How can I do such an evil thing? It is a sin against God.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭39‬:‭9‬ ‭ICB‬‬ “Joseph answered the king, “I am not able to explain the meaning of dreams. God will do this for the king.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭16‬ ‭ICB‬‬ “You had two dreams which mean the same thing. This shows that God has firmly decided that this will happen. And he will make it happen soon.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭32‬ ‭ICB‬‬ “Now don’t be worried. Don’t be angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me here ahead of you to save people’s lives.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45‬:‭5‬ ‭ICB‬‬ All these verses pointed to Joseph’s intentionality in allowing God’s Word to reshape him by thinking Biblically; aligning his emotions with God’s Word. Let us pray Father we thank You for your intention, plan and desire for us Your children to be saved and prospered spirit, soul and body. We receive fresh grace to be emotionally honest before You so that Your Word can reshape us and refine our characters in sufferings so that we can truly live as you planned and Your name be glorified In Jesus’ name. Amen.