Managing Emotions

Jesus gives us a great example of how to manage our emotions.

His human nature struggled on his last night with the events he knew were ahead. Betrayal. Mocking. Torture. Public Humiliation. Suffering. Loss. The Crucifixion.  Excruciating Pain.  Enduring Hell. Facing Judgement. Conquering Death!
Victory for all believers.  So grateful the story ends well and God has written a happy ending ...good defeats evil forever!  He is still writing our stories.  There is no fear or condemnation when we trust Jesus with everything including our minds.
Sorrow and agony are a part of life and we all have to deal with it or it will deal with us.  
Jesus is The Word made flesh and He experienced every emotion just as we do.  He was also tested by Satan and challenged with the same sins we face.  Jesus was the only one in history that led a perfect life and did not sin against God. Fleshly emotions can overwhelm us at times.  The enemy does prowl around looking for whom he can attack and devour and we must learn how Jesus dealt with it. Jesus was overwhelmed in the garden of Gethsemane.  
He wept.  He prayed.  He did it over and over.  
Is emotional baggage affecting you?  Your prayers?  
Are toxic relationships putting obstacles to block your road to healing?  Are dangerous false teachings keeping you in a crazy cycle?  Does anyone really understand what you are going through?  Who in your life is trustworthy and dependable?   Who can lead you in the character and wisdom of the Bible?  There are many lies we must trash as we search for truth in our lives.  Everything you are searching for is already here.  The world has many answers but Jesus is the answer to them all.  Read the Bible and know the Truth.
A true friend sticks closer than a brother.  They are like a keyhole shining in fresh air, hope, and a future. They speak life into you unlocking an encouraging balm all over your soul.  They may not meet your physical needs but their prayers are powerful when using God's Word!
​Jesus needed encouragement and spent his last moments with those He loved. 

• He knew His purpose.  He had a personal mission statement.  His identity was found and rooted in His Father's Will.  Everything he did and accomplished was for His Father's glory. READ the Bible so you understand that Jesus came to save us from our sins and ourself. 
• Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went to pray privately to His Father.

Do you isolate yourself in times of trouble?
Jesus shows us that after going to our Father, we should turn to our trusted friends and ask for help.  He did just that.  Sometimes though, our friends may be incapable of truly helping us and we can be left disappointed and discouraged. (Especially if their advice and actions are not rooted in Biblical Wisdom)
Even so, we aren’t meant to live in isolation.  Ask for prayer, encouragement, and reassurance from a mature Christian. 
Share what’s going on, ask for help.  Be real and open with only those that are proven trustworthy.  Here is some relational wisdom:
“Carry each other’s burdens.” Galatians 6:2
“Comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
And like Jesus, Pray and then pray again.

• Three times that night Jesus prayed the same prayer to his Father. He poured himself out to him. It wasn’t easy, but he did not stop.  He recognized that he needed to fully rely on his Father.  His trusted friends were there for him... but incapable of helping his emotional needs.  They kept falling asleep in their human weakness, even after Jesus made repeated requests for prayer.  Jesus' friends were incapable of helping Jesus the way only Daddy God can.  He rescues us.  He rescues us over and over again!  His disciples were not physically or emotionally able to help Jesus, in His greatest hour of need.  They turned their backs to Him, (the worst thing a friend can do when you are in distress and need prayer desperately!)  Peter then went on to deny Jesus 3 times, and as the rooster crowed he awakened to how fragile and weak he really was.  He thought is was over.  It's a scary thing when our world crashes down on us.  Unimaginable and terrifying circumstances were ahead and the emotions Jesus felt were real.  The emotions the deciples felt were also real and just like we all experience.  

Jesus' entire being was gripped with unbearable heaviness for what was to come.  

• Jesus surrendered, he wept, he wrestled with His Dad to see if there was any way that he could get out of the cross, and ultimately knew that it was His Father's will to die on the cross.  Our only Super Hero rescued us from our sins so that we can have the promise of eternal life.  Our minds, our bodies, our spirits were all created in the image of God and prayer is the life line for the mind and body to live and cope.  This extreme stress even caused Jesus to sweat blood. (Scientifically can happen ...very interesting - Google it!).  Read the gospels of Matthew and Mark.
• Jesus did not bury his emotions... He dealt with it in the moment and then accepted what His purpose was and followed through with it.  He still had to go through pain and agony.  We all will on our life journey.

Imagine how different managing our emotions would be if, like Jesus, we continually prayed.  If we would run to Daddy God and draw from the Father's Love. Trusting and abiding in the Love of the Bible. Fill your mind with the Word of God.  God hears our prayers!  Trust Him in your mind and heart.

• Jesus tells us, “in this world you will have trouble.”   Expect it, but remember the beautiful promise that comes next!  “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

​He wants us to face our problems with courage and strength.  You will get through this.   Jesus did.  The cross means victory for all of us who believe!  I am reminded of this every time we celebrate Easter.  

• Jesus rose from the dead.  He is alive!  You are not alone with your thoughts and emotions.  

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel  is a top read that proves Jesus is the Son of God and that He did what He said he would do.  The historical evidence, eyewitness testimonies and science facts all prove it.  Jesus, the Son of God, the perfect invisible God, the Word made flesh, came from Heaven to earth born of a Virgin, the One and Only to pay the penalty of sin on the Cross to rescue us from hell, so we can be set free, not just in eternity but now! That's great news!
Wow... deep.  
​Jesus died and the third day he was alive again.  
​You will live because He lives! 
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, and whosoever believes in Him, will not die but have everlasting life!  
Jesus did it.  He saved us!  He died for us and yet He lives.  

​Grew up listening to my Daddy play old gospel hymns in church and this one comes to mind, Because He Lives.  
Love the lyrics, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone.  I know he holds my life, my future in His hands, because He lives."  
​We can literally face hell here on earth and rise from it.  I did.  I am alive because He lives!

---

Sometimes growing up means you have to dump all your emotional baggage on the floor and only take what is absolutely necessary for the journey ahead! All you really need is the WORD of God.  Jesus is enough. 
Give yourself permission to finally let go, surrender and move on.
Love you Sweet Chicks!