Emotions

 

The human heart is a delicate vessel, constantly swayed by emotions—our internal compass, responding to the storms and still waters of life. Every circumstance can stir different emotions, shaping how we think, act, and perceive the world around us. Yet, in the chaos of these emotional tides, how do we protect our hearts and align our reactions with something greater?

Emotions, after all, are more than fleeting feelings. They prepare us for action, influencing our thoughts, decisions, and even the course of our lives. But here’s the truth that many overlook: unchecked emotions can be the doorway through which the enemy enters, seeking to derail our purpose.

In the journey of life, I, like many of you, have faced trials that shake my spirit, leaving me questioning why peace feels so far away while serving the Prince of Peace. It can be overwhelming, battling emotions that seem to rob us of the calm we desperately seek. I reached a point where I was on the verge of decisions that could shape my future, yet a whisper within urged me to pause and seek God’s counsel.

In Mark 7:21-23, Jesus reminds us, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts... all these evil things come from within and defile a man.” It’s a chilling reminder that the very heart, when left unchecked, can lead us astray. And here lies Satan's greatest strategy: using our emotions to distract, deceive, and destroy the good that heaven has planned for us.

Whenever we aim to do good, the devil strikes, exploiting our weaknesses, using family, friends, or even our past mistakes to cloud our judgment. He sows seeds of doubt, whispers accusations of unworthiness, and dangles temptations designed to make us stumble. But take heart—God allows these challenges to refine us, testing our faith and resolve. Are we more afraid of the enemy’s schemes, or do we trust in the power of our God?

Jeremiah 17:9-10 reveals a sobering truth: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind…” It is God who sees beyond our emotions, probing the depths of our hearts to bring forth the fruits of our faith. When I grasped this truth, the weight of my anger, frustration, and fear lifted. I realized the devil may be cunning, but he cannot outwit the One who holds my heart in His hands.

This revelation has shifted my perspective. Instead of wrestling with every emotion, I’m learning to lay it at the feet of Christ. As Romans 13:14 says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” The battle isn’t mine to fight alone, but God’s. Through prayer, I commit every trial, every emotion to Him because the devil, for all his tricks, can never defeat God.

Now I see the wisdom in Scriptures that warn us against quick anger or careless words. The devil thrives on these moments of weakness, turning our unchecked emotions into weapons against us. But when we recognize the spirit behind these feelings, we can rise above them with the help of the Holy Spirit.

God didn’t bring this realization to me by chance. He saw my need and met me in my turmoil, teaching me to trust Him more and depend on His mercy. He is molding me daily, humbling my heart, and reminding me that none of us are perfect. We all stand in need of grace. And when we fall, we must rise again—through repentance and faith—because the journey continues with God leading the way.

Friends, take a close look at your heart. Acknowledge the pride, the stubbornness, the quick tongue, and the imperfections you often ignore. Only in recognizing the truth about yourself can you open the door to God’s healing.

Let us guard our hearts, not in fear, but with the confidence that God is for us. And if He is for us, who can be against us?

As Ephesians 3:20-21 beautifully declares, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”