Who's Guiding You...

Image by: Edwin Lester https://www.pinterest.com/blackart/black-christian-art/

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11

In the heat of the moment it's easy to have an emotional reaction to an event or situation that impacts you in a negative manner. Your first instincts kick into gear and your emotions go into overdrive as you search for ways to protect your heart from hurt, and your pride from damage. You go on the defensive because you don't want people to misjudge, misunderstand, or mistake you for a weak person.

I have experienced more of these moments than I would care to admit. The number of occurrences have been drastically reduced as a result of my husband's guiding hand in these critical moments. He always has an encouraging word to speak, or tells me to calm down and wait to see how things play out. More often than not we will blow things out of proportion because we did not wait to see what the true outcome would be. We examine a situation and judge it with our hearts rather than our minds.

As the Scripture above states when we respond in this manner we are fools. Why?

1.) We did not take out the time to understand the other party's perspective and why they said or did a particular thing. Rather, we responded on how the situation or words made us "feel."

2.)We failed to give the benefit of the doubt, assuming the other party purposely meant us harm. There are instances where we did not misunderstand what the other party did or said, but we misunderstand their intentions. We are offended because surely they meant us harm. Sometimes, nothing is further from the truth. Maybe they were not in a position to explain themselves or bring clarity to why they did or said a particular thing.

3.) We are judging from the seat of our emotions rather than allowing Holy Spirit to guide us into the truth. He will never lead us astray, but instead the gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to us to lead us in counsel. (And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2)

It's not always easy to sit back and wait for the truth of a situation to come to light. It's easier to respond and defend yourself in the heat of the moment, to prove that you're not going to let people walk all over you.

OR IS IT?

Actually, the easier thing to do is to give in to your emotions. It's not easy to control your tongue and emotions. James chapter three specifically verses two through ten has a lot to say on the matter. James 3:2-10.

While it may not be easier to control your tongue in the heat of the moment, it is WISER. Allowing your emotions to control you and speaking what you want to in an emotional moment will cause:

1. Regret
2. Broken relationships
3. Hurt
4. Disappointment

And later have you asking Almighty God to forgive you. Especially when you knew better. Honestly, in that moment if you breathe deeply, and try to remain calm, you will hear the Holy Spirit guiding you and telling you what to do. You simply have to be in control of you, rather than allowing the enemy to control you from the seat of your emotions.

Are there any broken relationships in your life resulting from a heat of the moment argument?

Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from?

Is there someone you need to forgive?

Pray and ask the Lord for guidance in that area of your life. You may also want to confide in a trusted confidant, such as your spiritual advisor, prayer partner, or other trusted person in your life.

Be on the lookout this week for ways the enemy is trying to control your emotions. Stand back and view all things from a spiritual place and trust Holy Spirit to guide you through.


I leave you with this Scripture in parting to give you strength for the week ahead:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Have a blessed and beautiful week, and thank you for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment.

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