What does the Bible say about managing/controlling emotions?
The Bible has a lot to say about our emotions and how we can manage them in a godly way that honors the Lord. Here are some key principles from Scripture on this topic:
1. Recognize that emotions come from the heart
The Bible teaches that our emotions are tied to the condition of our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says to “guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Our thought patterns, beliefs, and focus of mind affect our emotional state. Renewing our minds through God’s truth is key to managing emotions in a healthy way (Romans 12:2).
2. Submit all emotions to God
We are called to submit all our feelings – positive and negative – to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That includes our emotions. Instead of being led by our feelings, we can ask God to rule over them and align them to His will.
3. Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide emotions
The Holy Spirit living within believers is able to bring supernatural direction and comfort amidst emotional turmoil. As we walk by the Spirit, He bears peaceable fruit in our lives like love, joy, patience – emotions that glorify God (Galatians 5:16-25). Surrendering control of our feelings to the Spirit is crucial.
4. Take refuge in Christ during emotional trials
When our souls are troubled and overwhelmed, we can take refuge in Christ, pouring out our hearts to Him (Psalm 62:8). Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He cares deeply about our inner world of emotions.
5. Manage anger Biblically
Scripture has much to say about handling anger in a godly way. We are told “in your anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Taking time to cool down, think rationally, pray, reconcile quickly with others, and not let the sun go down on anger are all keys to managing anger appropriately (James 1:19-20).
6. Counter negative emotions with God’s truth
When emotions like anxiety, fear, sadness, or loneliness strike, we can counter them with God’s many promises for strength, provision, hope, and comfort. Meditating on Scripture renews our mindset (Psalm 119:50). As we focus on God’s truth, negative emotions lose their grip.
7. Cultivate godly emotions through spiritual disciplines
Bible study, prayer, fasting, worship, serving others, and Christian fellowship all help nurture emotions that honor God – like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Making these a regular part of life is important.
8. Pour out your heart to God in prayer
The Psalms are full of David and others pouring out their emotional distress and pain to God honestly. He invites us to do the same, casting all our anxiety on Him, because He cares (1 Peter 5:7). As we learn to pray through emotional turmoil, God brings comfort, strength, and wisdom.
9. Take thoughts captive that trigger emotions
Often emotions are triggered by toxic thought patterns like worry, comparisons, anger, entitlement, or unforgiveness. Paul says to demolish such strongholds and bring every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Renewing our mindset is crucial for managing emotions.
10. Seek accountability and counsel from other believers
In times of emotional turmoil, seek out mature Christians for prayer, encouragement, and Biblical advice (Galatians 6:2). Be honest about struggles and temptations. Accountability helps us process emotions in a godly way versus bottling them up inside.
11. Fill your mind and heart with God’s truth and praise
The more we saturate our minds with Scripture and worship music, the more it renews our inner thought patterns – which transforms how we feel. Truth and praise drive out negative emotions over time. The Psalms are full of this pattern.
12. Remember emotions change but God remains the same
Emotions fluctuate but our unchangeable God is always worthy of our worship and trust, no matter how we may feel in shifting circumstances (Malachi 3:6). This steadies our minds and hearts through emotional highs and lows.
13. Learn from emotions instead of being led by them
Rather than letting feelings lead us, we can ask God to show us truths to learn through them. Emotions become instructive when we reflect on them before God. They highlight areas needing attention like wounds to heal or sin to repent of.
14. Ask God to search your heart and reveal motives
We can ask God to search our hearts and highlight any wrong motivations or toxic mindsets behind unhealthy emotions (Psalm 139:23-24). As He illuminates heart issues, we can repent and find cleansing, renewal, and emotional alignment.
15. Die to the flesh which stirs up sinful passions
Scripture calls us to die to the flesh and its sinful nature that tries to stir up emotions like anger, jealousy, pride, greed, anxiety, and more (Galatians 5:24). As we walk by the Spirit, godly emotions rise up instead. This is a lifelong process requiring vigilance.
16. Keep an eternal perspective amidst emotions
When emotions threaten to overwhelm us, remembering eternity helps regain proper perspective. Our struggles are temporary but yield eternal glory. This strengthened Jesus in anguish (Hebrews 12:2). Keeping heaven’s reality before us stabilizes emotions.
17. Embrace godly grief that leads to repentance
Feelings of conviction or godly sorrow for sin serve an important purpose – they are meant to lead to repentance and restoration (2 Corinthians 7:10). We should welcome such grief as a means of becoming more like Christ and drawing nearer to Him.
18. Wait patiently on God amidst emotional trials
Waiting on God when our souls are in tumult can teach us perseverance and trust in His faithfulness (Psalm 130:5-6). He often uses raw emotional seasons to produce Christlike character if we submit patiently to His work.
19. Remember our true identity and worth in Christ
When emotions threaten to crush our self-image, we must remember our identity and worth is in Christ alone – that we are dearly loved children of God (Romans 8:37-39). This stabilizes us through emotional upheaval.
20. Let love be the guiding emotion in all situations
Scripture elevates love as the supreme virtue that should guide all other emotions (1 Corinthians 13). As we walk by the Spirit, His love in our hearts empowers us to manage all feelings wisely, for love “always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:7).
In summary, the Bible offers much wisdom on managing our emotions in a godly manner. As we walk closely with Jesus, study Scripture, rely on the Spirit’s help, pray authentically, worship wholeheartedly, serve others, and stay plugged into a church community, the Lord empowers us to handle emotions in ways that honor Him and align with His truth. It is a lifelong journey yielding much spiritual fruit.