Our emotions and feelings are very powerful. But if you are not careful, they can control and hinder progress in your life. They can keep you from helping anyone or living the abundant life God desires for you to live, especially those that are negative.
Fear can paralyze you.
Anger can make you impulsive.
Sorrow can suppress you.
But for as strong as our emotions are, God’s Word is stronger. That is why, as Christians, we must learn to speak His Word and truth over our feelings.
The Word is a Weapon
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
Hebrews 4:12 tell us that God’s Word is powerful. It is mighty in the hands of a believer. It is a two-edged sword; a weapon. But too many of us are not making use of it!
A lot of us keep this sword sheathed at the very times we ought to be making effective use of it. When our feelings want to control us, we let them. Instead, we should be speaking God’s Word over them. Literally.
For example, if you find your heart gripped by fear recite 2 Timothy 1:7 out loud. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)
If you are feeling anxious or worried, speak John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” (NKJV)
When you feel unworthy or inadequate declare Psalm 139:14 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (NKJV)
During times when you are emotionally overwhelmed turn to the Word. It sounds so simple but it truly will have a profound effect on you but, only if you believe what you are speaking.
Speak God’s Truth…and Believe It
The Bible is an amazing book filled with miraculous, encouraging and enlightening words of wisdom, poetry, instruction and stories. But if you simply regard all these, as a “good read”, you will miss out on the might power that is in the Bible.
You will also fail to tap into that power if you do not believe that what you are reading is actually powerful.
In the same way, speaking the Word of God over your feelings will only be effective if you believe the Words you are saying over yourself. If you believe that what God says is actually true.
Do you?
If not, you can pray like father who came to Jesus with His sick child did, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24 NKJV) Ask God to help you to start taking His Word seriously and to believe in it more than what others, yourself or your feelings might say about you.
Take Every Thought Captive and Think the Best About Yourself
Apart from your actions, your feelings can also affect your thoughts, especially when it comes to feelings of condemnation or inadequacy.
When you feel like your thoughts are spiraling down a negative road that is when you need to do as 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 tells us to do and “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”.
You can do that by replacing those negative thoughts with the truth written in God’s Word. This is another way in which you can make use of the power in the Word of God.
It is also important to think well of yourself. Philippians 4:8 (ESV) says:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Paul instructs us to think of good things but this does not refer only to other people, situations or thoughts in general, it also refers to you. You must learn to think the best of yourself, God does!
You have shortcomings and areas of weakness, just as we all do. But if there is anything lovely, praiseworthy or excellent about yourself, think about that. Thank the Lord for His goodness in you (Psalm 16:2) and the ways He is changing you.
As Christians, we must learn to think about ourselves and speak about ourselves as God’s Word does. (Revelation 12:11) We must start using the Word of God as the mighty weapon it is.
Keep Using Your Weapon
You must keep using the mighty two-edged sword that is the Word of God. And you must believe it.
Not just when you think you are ticking all the right boxes and being a “good” Christian. You must make use of it in those moments of overwhelming emotion, or negative feelings. Believe it in those moments you feel like you are messing up, failing or weak.
Speak the Word over your feelings until it becomes louder than they are. For, as you speak and continue to meditate on it, you will then begin to act in accordance with it and ultimately, you will be transformed.
Let it be so, in Jesus name.
