The quality of your life – and the impact you have on others as a follower of Christ – is directly tied to how you manage your emotions.

Whenever a major disaster occurs, a fascinating range of responses plays out as the television reporters interview victims. Reactions vary widely as some

• are undaunted, saying, “We will come out of this stronger.” 
• are immobilized by fear.
• reaffirm their faith in God.
• blame the government or others.

Five Essential Areas

How you handle your emotions in a crisis or in the good times is critically important. If you allow negative emotions to control, you will suffer the consequences in you’re the five essential areas of your life.

Faith
You will be unable to trust that God will work things together for good.

Relationships
Marital discord, loss of friendships, and isolation will be virtually inevitable.

Health
Anxiety, ulcers, overeating and other physical manifestations will develop.

Finances
Hoarding or overspending will create turmoil.

Work
As you lose focus, procrastination and unproductivity will jeopardize your career.

What can you do to eliminate negative emotions? The book of Philippians gives us the answers. There are two clear ways to sweep away negative emotions, each of them are equally effective.

Two Ways to Sweep Away Negative Emotions

1. Change your thinking to change your emotions.
In other words, learn to think like Christ. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.” (Philippians 4:6, The Message)

2. Change your actions to change your emotions.
Behave like Christ. “Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized,” the apostle Paul says. “Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Philippians 4:9, The Message)

Choose one of these strategies as your One Thing, and you will win the battle over negative emotions today.

Tell Us

How do you keep your emotions in check? We'd love to hear from you. Post your comments below.