Evenness of Emotions

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

While attending a mid-week Bible Study years ago, a gentleman said, “Temperance is evenness of emotions.” I was immediately intrigued. I’ve always viewed temperance as being self-controlled. Not eating the whole cake. Not watching the entire movie marathon. Not talking too much. Not slapping my neighbor. I always saw it as being able to control my outward actions, but never had I considered that temperance had anything to do with my emotions. It was then that God began to speak to me through His Word, letting me know that if I was going to fulfill every detail of His divine purpose for my life, I would have to learn to manage my emotions. And in order to manage my emotions, I would first have to confront them.

In my life, I didn’t think real believers ever got angry, felt afraid, lonely or depressed. I saw these as fleshly responses. So anytime I felt a strong negative emotion, I wouldn’t know how to handle it, so I stuffed it and tried to ignore it. But the Holy Spirit began to help me see the emotional side of God. I learned that God is slow to anger, which reveals He does get angry, but He doesn’t stay mad. I learned that Jesus felt lonely, but He knew God the Father was with Him. Holy Spirit is grieved at times, but it doesn’t change His love for us. Nor does our feelings change who we are in Christ! With God’s help we can learn to manage our emotions and operate in a degree of levelheadedness and temperance.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for speaking directly into my heart. When I don’t feel strong, I know you are my strength. When I don’t understand what I’m facing, I know you have a plan. When I feel sad, angry and frustrated, I know you are with me to help me confront these feelings and do the right thing no matter what. You are my God and you made me. And even though I feel the way I feel, I surrender my emotions to you. I yield to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Hebrews 4:14-16; Genesis 1:27; Philippians 1:6)

21 thoughts on “Evenness of Emotions”

  1. Thank you for this message. Right on time. Our Lord is always right on time!!! Keisha, you are truly a Woman after our Lords heart. I want you to know how much this Devotional and you mean to me!! Thank you ❀️

  2. Father God in the name of Jesus Christ Amen I yield to you right Father God I need all the help again I say Amen β€πŸ™πŸ½

  3. I really needed this! I lost my husband Tuesday he transition on Tuesday! Daughter of the King always provide me word that is right on time and I Need Right Now going through this heartache!

    1. I am so sorry for your loss… I pray Our Father’s strength and comfort for you, and that He give you peace.

  4. Temperance: not just self control over our outward actions but our emotions as well. Who knew?
    It sure makes sense though, as our actions 🎬 don’t just happen. They start with thought which affects our emotions and can then affect our action.
    If we choose to only do what we feel, many a mommy or daddy wouldn’t have got up every couple of hours to feed their crying infant. 😭
    Blessing upon blessings.

  5. Saying it and knowing it has been very easy. It’s the doing that has always been such a challenge for me. I’ll keep praying and seeking God’s help on this issue. Peace and Blessings ✝️

  6. Hallelujah!! This another answered prayer that I was dealing with now, and here is how I can handle it as I surrender to Him. He knows what we need and when we need it. Glory to God!
    Amen.
    πŸ™ŒπŸ™ŒπŸ™ŒπŸ™ŒπŸ’•πŸ’•

  7. I too always affiliated temperance with self-control and always tried to bury my emotions only for them to come out displaced. This devotion blessed me so much today especially as I enter into Sabbath rest. God is so good and his mercies are lasting. I will deal with these emotions head on with the help of the Holy Spirit. To God be the glory! Thanks for sharing…

    1. I remember the sermon series delivered by our pastor about 6 years ago that dealt with emotions… I realized then that there was so much that I was packing away, and not surrendering to God in prayer… I’m still unpacking!!!

      I needed this message, and I need the safe space that DOTK offers… though I’ve not met you, I know that you, Sister Kesha and others, are praying for and with me. I am grateful, and praise God, I am still growing.

  8. This devotional gives grace insight. I needed this. Thank you for sharing. Blessings, Shalom and Agape. πŸ™β€πŸ™β€πŸ™

  9. “Not slapping my neighbor” <= lmao. Luckily I can't fight so I never hit people praise God. But I can often be verbally aggressive and insulting. Hoping for therapy in September cuz it's a borderline personality symptom, dysregulated emotions. Anyways I'm so thankful that God yes is always with us even when crying out in worst psychological pain ever. Stuffing emotions does not fix them. It may be why some believers are so judgemental and hateful – their emotions are stuffed and they extremely miserable but feel it's immoral to be miserable so they fake having joy and the misery sneaks out passive aggressive or in depression or aches n pains etc. I'ma need to keep praying. Thank you for post πŸ™

  10. It’s a Battle But i put my hope and trust in YOU my GOD and KING. AMENπŸ’™βš˜πŸ”₯πŸ•ŠπŸ’™βš˜πŸ”₯πŸ•ŠπŸ’™βš˜πŸ”₯πŸ•ŠπŸ’™βš˜πŸ”₯πŸ•Š

  11. Thank you father God for showing me the way to go teaching me to move when you are ready for me Father God I yield continue to show me your ways and all of your plans for my life and Jesus name I pray Amen πŸ™πŸ½πŸ™ŒπŸΎπŸ’ž

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