Psalm 32:1-5: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Most secular counselors deal with EMOTIONS first rather than deal with the sinful thoughts and actions that led to these emotions. Had that happened to King David when Nathan the Prophet “biblically counseled” him, David would not have repented and would not have received the forgiveness of sins.
Here’s the process: thinking leads to actions which leads to emotions. Sometimes, thinking leads to emotions before leading to actions; regardless, the whole process begins with one’s THINKING as the primary CAUSE.
Emotions may appear to be overpowering the person ruled by his/her emotions, but the Bible frequently refers to self-controlled thinking overruling emotions like fear, anger, and sadness (Prov. 14:29, 15:1, 15:18, 16:32, 19:11, 29:25 to name a few).
The Bible holds us all responsible for how we think (Matt 5:27-30) and act REGARDLESS of our emotions. Our primary example of this is Jesus Christ Who overcame exceedingly sorrowful feelings to be obedient to the will of the Father in Matt. 26:38-39: “Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” We all know the rest of the story that Jesus obediently gave His life on the cross to pay for our sins!!!
Jesus did NOT allow His feelings to dictate His righteous choices. Instead, He made a conscious, responsible act according to the Father’s Will and not his will as a man.
Likewise, all of us must follow His righteous example, renew our thinking to be in line with the Bible, and then to make conscious, obedient choices as an act of our WILL to do what the Lord has called us to do for His glory – regardless of our seemingly “out of control,” powerful emotions!
-Mark (learning to not be led by my emotions but to do the will of the Father Who has called me to a life of ministry)