God gave us emotions.  They are neither good nor bad they just are.  Sometimes we are happy and life is wonderful.  Other times we can experience all of our emotions in a day whether we are happy, mad, sad, glad, angry, frustrated to name just a few.  Emotions are complex and can be short lived psychological and physiological responses to internal or external events, designed to help individuals respond to different situations.  

           How we react or respond to our emotions is the key.  Reacting is an immediate, automatic, and emotionally driven behavior, often based on fear or impulse, which can escalate a situation. Responding is a thoughtful, intentional, and clam action that occurs after pausing to consider consequences and emotions.  Reactions are reflexive, while responses are deliberate.  

           Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  James 1:19 tells us, “…everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”  Proverbs 19:11 explains, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

           Learning to respond and not react is the key.  A healthy response to life’s difficulties comes when we are calm and deliberate, which involves pausing to allow God to guide you, using wisdom instead of letting your emotions control you.  

           The Bible encourages us to take a step back in tense situations, calming ourselves through a godly lens rather than immediate reactions to our feelings. This pause allows for a godly response that brings calmness and peace (that peace which passes all understanding) rather than a reaction that creates further tension.  It is something for us to learn, how to respond verses reacting to our emotions.  For the closer we are to God the more centered we are in life. Thus, we are less likely to react to life’s difficulties! God Bless.  Amen.

denise