Emotion is the basic weakness of every person. Sometimes we discount the importance of paying attention to our emotions day by day, thinking that the right convictions should be enough to strengthen us against evil.
Emotions are with us and sometimes rule us. Overcoming the situation is a challenge for us. If you fight back spiritually, you can make a significant change in your character ruled by emotions.
Here are 5 ways you can win spiritual battles with your emotions:
1. Fill your mind with timeless truth
The more biblical truth is that Satan attacks through your emotions. If you understand this truth, you can win the battle. Grow up the habit of reading the Bible and meditating can help you to control your exceeding emotion.
2. Give yourself a timeout
When you notice your emotions spiraling out of control, take a timeout from the situation. Stop everything if you realize that a feeling is overwhelming you. Timeouts can teach you to control and overcome emotions. During those breaks, consider what you’re really feeling, and why. For instance, if you feel lust pulling you toward your cell phone and compelling you to look at pornography on it, stop the process by taking a timeout.
3. Deal honestly with the uncomfortable emotions
You may sometimes deny, ignore, or suppress emotions that trouble you. For example, if you’re feeling jealous, you’re probably also feeling embarrassed and ashamed about feeling that way. No one likes to admit jealousy. Yet if you don’t deal with it, envious emotions will distort your perspective on your life. That will leave you vulnerable to Satan’s attacks because Satan will turn the truth to get your attention; if you’re confused you may believe what he tells you. So whenever you notice you’re feeling an emotion that makes you uncomfortable, acknowledge it, and try to check in with God about it in that moment or soon afterward (through a silent prayer).
4. Take care of your physical health
Physical health is connected to your emotional health. If your body is not sound, it is not easy to manage your emotions. Ask God to help you develop healthy physical habits that nurture your body, mind and spirit. Take care of your health by following a healthy diet.
5. Learn lessons God wants to teach you through your emotions
Emotions as teaching tools given by God. Emotions are gifts from God, whom the Bible describes as having an emotional essence (“God is love.” – 1 John 4:8). But emotions constantly change as circumstances change, and they may easily be misinterpreted when you’re not thinking of them from a Spirit-led perspective.
So pray for guidance every day, asking God to help you discern the messages he sends you through your feelings. Think of your emotions as school bells ringing for you to pay attention and the Holy Spirit as your teacher who communicates with you once you come to class. Rather than just reacting to your emotions (as Satan tempts you to do), respond to them with the purpose of learning and growing closer to God in the process.