WATCH YOUR EMOTION

TOPIC: WATCH YOUR EMOTION

INTRODUCTION

Emotion is a strong feeling which emanates from the mind in reaction to circumstances or incidents. Emotional displays, when not properly handled, can bring problems to us and others. The wise Preacher said, “Guide your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life” (Prov. 4: 23).

Medical experts say these negative emotional displays adversely affect the human body and organs. That is why it is important that we guide against them. In this message, therefore, we will look at anger, grief, worry, stress, and fear, as well as the organs of the body they affect, according to healthdigezt.com.

1.  ANGER: This is a negative feeling that is aroused toward some real or supposed grievance. Anger weakens the liver.

Scriptural Advice

a). Psalm 37: 8 – “Cease from anger and forsake wrath. Do not fret yourself, for it leads only to evildoing.”

b). Eccl. 7: 9 – “Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

c). Eph. 4: 26 – “Be angry, and yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”

2. GRIEF: Grief is the state of mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss of a loved one. It weakens the lungs.

Scriptural Advice

a). Luke 6: 21 – “…Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

b). Heb. 9: 27 – “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.”

c). 1 Thess. 4: 13, 14 – “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, so that you do not grief as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

3. WORRY: This is the state of feeling or showing fear and concern because of thinking that something bad has happened. Worry weakens the stomach.

Scriptural Advice

a). Matt. 6: 25 – “Therefore I say to you, do not be worried about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”

      b). Luke 12: 25 – “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his life’s span?”

c). Phil. 4: 6 – “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to Him.”

4. STRESS: This is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. Stress weakens the heart and brain.

Scriptural Advice

a). Isa. 40: 30, 31 – “Even the youths will faint and be weary, and the young men will utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint.”

b). Prov. 16: 3 – “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

c). James 1: 2-4 – “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.”

5. FEAR: This is a distressing emotion aroused by an impending danger, evil, pain, etc. whether it is real or imagined. Fear weakens the kidney.

Scriptural Advice

a). Isa. 41: 10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.”

b). Matt. 10: 28 – “And do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

CONCLUSION

We gain nothing by being negative in our minds. That is why we must maintain a positive anger, control our grief, do away with unnecessary worries, live a stress-free life, and deal with our fears. Indeed, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23: 7).

SERMON BY OKPAN CLEOPAS (MINISTER)