Our emotions exert a powerful influence over our lives. Sometimes our emotional drives can be healthy. Other times, however, our emotions take a negative turn and work against our lives of faith and usefulness in God’s kingdom.
We must realize that we have a choice: either our emotions will control us, or we will control them. When we allow ourselves to be governed by our emotions, the results will be painful and often devastating to our lives. Negative emotions place us in bondage—bondage to anger, fear, resentment, hostility, lust, jealousy, uncertainty, and unforgiveness. Most people are not aware that they have been enslaved by these feelings.
Not realizing the damage that is being done, many people continue to go about their daily lives carrying this emotional baggage. Over time, these destructive feelings can become rooted in their personalities.. If they have lived with unforgiveness, anger, or bitterness for a long time, they may simply not know how to live without it. Therefore, they continue on in their lives of bondage.
Bondage of any kind is contrary to God’s perfect will for our lives. John 8:36 proclaims, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” Likewise, the apostle Paul instructs, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
(0511 04 III 2008)