Get a grip!

Did you know that every sin you've ever committed was from an emotional response? That is a big statement. It's what James 1:14-15 is talking about. The conclusion you can draw from this, is that you need to make sure your emotions have their proper place in your life. Having healthy emotions is not something that should be optional or just a bonus when everything is working out all right. If you're not careful, your emotions can run wild and drive you instead of you driving them.

I'm sure you can identify with what I'm saying, but here's where I lose most Christians: If they're fired from their job, if they find out their mate's going to divorce them, or if somebody dies, they feel no responsibility to control their emotions. They'll say, "You can't expect me to control my feelings in every situation. No one can do that." Yes, you can! This isn't the world's way of doing things. It'll go out of its way to tell you how that's not true, that there should be some kind of exception to this. But there really isn't. You see, the Christian life is not just difficult to live; it's impossible without God's grace. But with grace, you "can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth" you (Phil. 4:13).

The Scripture commands us to rejoice, even in hard times (Phil. 4:4). It would be totally unjust of God to tell us to do something we weren't capable of doing. That might be a shock (or affect our emotions!), but it's true.

Psychology has been exalted to a place in society where it's nearly dominant. Because of it, we've adopted attitudes and mindsets that are diametrically opposed to what the Bible teaches. It's one of the reasons so many Christians have stress, sleep apnea, and health issues that they struggle to get healed from. They have to take a pill to go to bed, one to get up, and one to regulate things. That is not the way God intended us to live.

The Scripture says,

Having joy and peace is healthy and beneficial for you. It's a biblical principle! That's one of the things I cover in my teaching, Harnessing Your Emotions. I also counter misconceptions in psychology and religion that are detrimental to having healthy emotions in the Christian life. This is important!

We've got more luxury, more prosperity, and more opportunity than almost any generation that has ever lived, yet the suicide rate has gone through the roof, marriages are failing, there is unrest in our communities, worry and mistrust are on the rise, and on and on it goes. People are emotionally unstable. They can't control sin, because they haven't first controlled their emotions. One of the ways to fix this is to have emotions that are functioning the way God intended.

You don't have to let your emotions dominate and control you. They were meant to be a blessing and to enhance your relationship with God. Learn how to use them in a positive way with my teaching. I have a book called Harnessing Your Emotions, and a CD and a DVD series by the same name. I'm offering this book and either the CD or DVD series in a new package entitled Get a Grip. It will also include Self-Centeredness: The Source of All Grief (one of my most-requested booklets), and my Anger Management and How to Be Happy series. These materials will make a huge difference in your life. Get a grip today! You can order by going online to www.awme.net, by calling the Helpline: +44(0)1922 473300, or by completing and returning the enclosed form.

God bless you,

Andrew & Jamie