Emotions are our state of mind influenced by our circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.

The Unreliability of Emotions

• Feelings and facts don't always line up.
• Feelings and future don't always line up.
• Feelings can shift with our focus.

Symptoms of Unhealthy Emotions

• Every decision is based on "how I feel."
• I get stuck in a feeling.
• My feelings are volatile and erratic.
• My feelings are numb.


Paul displayed great control over his emotions in his letter to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NLT - 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12 NLT - 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

Paul let his faith control his feelings.

1. I feel sadness, but I faith JOY.

• Depression, discouragement, and despair are all feelings that we can have, but Paul chose to have joy instead.
• Romans 5:3 NLT - We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
• James 1:2-3 NLT - 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

2. I feel like quitting, but I faith FAITHFULNESS.

• People feel like quitting many things. They feel like quitting their marriage, their job, their calling or ministry, even their faith. Paul counteracted his feelings about quitting with the truth of faithfulness.
• 2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT - That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

3. I feel fear, but I faith VICTORY.

• Some have a never-ending fear of failure, some fear sickness, and some fear death, but the Word tells us that God hasn't given us fear. His love casts out fear.
• Romans 8:15 NLT - So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father."

4. I feel insufficient, but I faith RIGHTEOUSNESS.

• So many have the feeling that they don't measure up. Deep inside, they feel insufficient. They feel ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty, like an imposter. The good news is, our faith tells us that we are made righteous.
• Philippians 3:9 NLT - And become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
• Romans 1:17 NLT - This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

5. I feel rejection, but I faith ACCEPTANCE.

• Our feelings can say that we are lonely, abandoned, not wanted, and rejected, but our faith tells us we are accepted.
• Psalm 27:10 NLT - Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.
• Psalm 94:14 NLT - The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.


Practical Tips for Healthy Emotions

• Check the pace of your life. - Examine time off, vacations, overwork, Sabbath rest.
• Check your authenticity. - When we wear masks and hide things, it's impossible to be happy.
• Check your faith. - Are you allowing your feelings to control everything in your life, or does your faith have control?