Can Emotions Be Productively Managed?

Managing emotions is a lifelong task whether in close relationships or with acquaintances at work, church, or in rush hour traffic. Managing frustration caused by stressful situations points to relationship issues that need productive change.

The majority of people manage emotions by taking ownership of situations that have resulted in conflict and hurt feelings. However some people refuse to express their thoughts and feelings in ways that can help dissipate the harmful effects of their fear and anger.

While it may seem impossible to trust others with your fear, anger, and guilt, God will provide safe opportunities to do so. He also provides the courage to seek forgiveness. Acknowledging what you feel and think through confession leads to forgiveness. Jesus will provide what you need when the time is right to seek others out to make things right.

Then you will have peace of mind.           

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Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

~Hebrews 12:1-2 New American Standard Bible

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God's Blessings Equal His Promises

What purpose is served by making modifications to your lifestyle? They can be an acknowledgment that reforms are needed to correct the impact previous choices produced which were detrimental to relationships, your health, or finances. For productive change to be successful, a clearly defined, reachable goal must be instituted.

David in Psalm 17 explains, "I have resolved that my lips will not sin against you, Lord, so that you will keep me in the shadow of you wings." How could he keep this pledge to God? David’s strength would come from a continual consciousness of God's presence to help him keep thoughts, words, and behaviors true to his commitment.

The key to keeping a promise is being absolutely sure God will bless and honor it. God's wants you to serve him with a clean heart and a right spirit. He longs to implant the righteousness of Christ in you so fellowship with him can be secured. What a wonderful objective to reach for every day of your life!                        

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Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his Holy Place? The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully. This person will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

~Psalm 24:3-5 International Standard Version

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Grow in Faith and Reap a Harvest of Righteousness - Part 3

It’s possible to become discouraged when changes which are needed to make life more dependable are so slow in coming. Productive change, without exception, coincides with making room for it to happen physically and emotionally. For a vineyard to stay healthy and productive, the grapevines must be pruned to make space for new growth.

Lasting change depends on your determination to create a place in your heart, mind and attitudes for it to exist. Fighting the fluctuation of feelings and thoughts can be discouraging, so change must be welcomed and nurtured. A healthy garden must be watered, and weeds that invade to suck away the nutrients must be recognized and obliterated.

          Change depends on discipline and hard work and can be painful, but it later produces a harvest of righteousness and pleasure. Changing for what is good, righteous and helpful is a challenge because it requires some thinning out, pruning and discarding. God will be your strength, hope and light as you choose to this transition.