How can I keep emotions from controlling my actions? - Emotions - TouchPoints

Matthew 22:37-40Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Often, the best way to control our unhealthy desires is to strengthen our healthy desires. Loving God and loving others are the greatest desires we can promote. If we desire these two things more than anything else, our actions will begin to fall into place.

Ephesians 4:32Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Love, mercy, and forgiveness can overcome the bitterness of a grudge.

Mark 1:41Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. “I want to [heal you],” he said. “Be healed!”

Psalm 72:12-14He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy . . . for their lives are precious to him.

It is good for your emotions to control your actions if they move you to do good things for others. When you are moved by compassion, act on that emotion by helping someone in need. When you are moved by your love for God, let it show itself through loving your neighbor as yourself.

Psalm 119:101, 105I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word . . . Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 37:31They fill their hearts with God’s law, so they will never slip from his path.

2 Samuel 5:18-19The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”

Make a firm resolution that before you act on your emotions, you will check God’s Word to make sure what you plan to do is appropriate. Sometimes emotions can trick you. They move you to take action you think is good, but later find was harmful to you and others. Before you act, check the Scriptures to see if where you want to go is in line with God’s way. This can save you a lot of grief down the road.

Ephesians 4:26-27And “don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.

Esther 3:2, 5-6All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect . . . When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. So he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Since he had learned that Mordecai was a Jew, he decided to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

Proverbs 14:29Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.

Some emotions, like anger, can quickly grow out of control and cause you to do things you didn’t imagine you’d ever do. Don’t let anger fester because it can overcome you. Deal promptly with the situation that caused you to be angry.

Ephesians 4:31-32Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Forgiving others who have wronged you keeps your emotions from becoming negative, bitter, or resentful.