HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO MANAGE OUR EMOTIONS? THE PHILIPPIANS MODEL
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9 Amp
There are so many Scriptures where God instructs and guides us on emotional stability. However, I will focus on this particular one as it has kept me going for decades now.
- DO NOT BE ANXIOUS OR WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING
According to Strong’s commentary, being anxious for nothing is an exact repetition of our Lord’s command, “Take no thought” mentioned in Matthew 6:25; Matthew 6:34. The prohibition is of that painful anxiety which is inevitable when we feel alone in mere self-dependence amidst the difficulties and dangers of life.
It is possible to sink below this anxiety in mere levity and thoughtlessness; it is possible to rise above it by “casting our care on Him who careth for us,” and knowing that we are simply “fellow-workers with Him” (1 Peter 5:7; 2Corinthians 6:1).
The comfort here is that we are not alone because God is there with us. He cares for us more than we think we care for ourselves. And the promise for parenting our children is that these children belong to God and we are just custodians, co-labouring with God.
Even when we do not have that spouse to bring up the children with, God is the ultimate father of all children. This understanding reduces the pressure on us in this aspect.
