Everything Under Submission

"I'm tired."

"I'm stressed."

"I'm overwhelmed."

"You just don't know what I'm going through."

"It's that time....."

Sound familiar? If you are even remotely human, any or all of these excuses will ring true in your ears because more than likely you, like me, have heard the same words come out of your mouth. Emotions are something that we all experience--whether they be emotions of joy, EXCITEMENT, sadness, fear, depression, anxiety........you name it. Emotions were given to us by God because He created hormones inside of us. But He also wants us to learn how to deal with them. Why is controlling these emotions so very important?

"The problem is, if we cater to our emotions and let them control our actions in these kinds of daily routines, we will be more vulnerable to being controlled by our emotions in the major transitions and difficult seasons of life." (Nancy DeMoss)

This fits in with something else God has been teaching me over the last few weeks--I must have self-control over everything in my life or I run the risk of having no control in the important areas when it really counts. Whether it's self-control in food, study, sleep, television, or even exercise, we must allow God to be totally in control that we can be prepared for the moment when bigger temptations arise such as: sex, drinking......the list could go on and on.

Emotions are just one area in which we, especially as women, allow ourselves such leisure. We say, "It's that time of the month...." or "I'm just hormonal right now." Instead, we must become counter-cultural and glorify GOD in our attitudes--despite how much we feel "entitled" to moodiness. Trust me, we aren't entitled to be moody and cantankerous no matter how hormonal we feel. If our Lord could face the taunts of attackers, endure the scourge of the whip, and die a horrific death without cursing His tormentors, surely you and I can control those emotional surges. After all, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Trust me, this is hard for me too. I'm facing the same issue right now as I am going to college in a place where I feel alone--at a time that I would rather be home helping plan my sister's wedding--with an attitude that wants to be frustrated with God's plan. But I can't allow these emotions to control my heart or I am in direct disobedience to God. After all, obedience is doing "what I'm told, when I'm told, with a right heart attitude."

But, sweet reader, if we don't overcome these emotions and bring them into submission to the will of God, we won't be ready for the big tests that will come. Let's strive together to be a people who confuse the world with the ability to pray instead of pout, smile instead of sulk, glorify instead of grouse, and laugh instead of giving lip. I'm praying for you right this second....

Because He lives,