In the Heat of the Moment

Most of us can point to our greatest regrets in life as things we did or didn’t do when our feelings were in control. It’s always a mistake to let your emotions guide you. Facts→Faith→Feelings. Feelings are a blessing when they follow but a curse when they lead.But the real problem for most of us is the heat of the moment. It’s when we are in the middle of overwhelming feelings we tend to do things that create havoc in our lives. So how can you keep yourself from making a big mistake when your emotions are blasting off?Five Steps to Overcome Overwhelming Emotions

• Pray. This isn’t thrown on the list to Christianize a practical post. For me, everything is spiritual. Bringing the matter before God is the most important step. By praying, you are able to step back from the situation that is setting you on edge. It will enable you to see the bigger picture. And it reminds you of God’s sovereignty, that he has allowed this situation and knows you can handle it. Don’t skip over this! Pray! Ask God to calm you down. Ask him to give you the right perspective and wisdom. Turn your feelings and your choices over to him. Promise you’ll do your best to respond in a way that pleases him.
• Analyze. Ask yourself, “Why are my feelings so overwhelming? What am I thinking that is bothering me so much? What do I think is being threatened?”
• Acknowledge. We are all prone to sin, and especially so when emotions are about to take over. So acknowledge that. Admit anything you have done that might have contributed to the problem. Acknowledge what you feel like doing now, as well as what damage that could create. Once you acknowledge what you feel like doing, you’ll know what you should probably not do. :-)
• Choose. Decide to honor God and do the right thing, no matter how you feel. At this point, hopefully the previous steps have helped you to separate your decision-making from your feelings, and your choice will be based on knowledge, wisdom, and love for God, rather than emotions.
• Act. Those emotions have given you energy…energy to do something. But now you’ve decided the something you should do is probably the opposite of what you feel like doing. So instead of lashing out, respond in kindness. Instead of giving in to temptation, do something loving for the person who would have been hurt by it. Out of control emotions are very self-focused. But redirecting your attention to productive actions, things that would be pleasing to God and loving to others, shifts that self-focus to being a blessing.

It’s easy to say, “control your emotions.” It’s another to actually do that when you're in the heat of the moment. Taking these steps can walk you out of the moment and allow you to use that emotional energy in a God-honoring and positive way.