How to Control Feelings

Dallas Willard surfaces an interesting fact.

"We cannot just choose our feelings"¹

But, he says,

"you can evoke and to some degree control feelings by directing your thoughts. Our power over our thoughts is of great and indispensable assistance in directing and controlling our feelings, which themselves are not directly under the guidance of our will."¹

Perhaps this is why the bible says

"whatsoever things are true, ... honest, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely, ... of good report; ... think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

- fritz

^{1 - Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard, page 104}

Shouting

Chilean minors, once thought dead, captive under ground for over a month are rescued to shouts of joy. Expected - their captivity is over!

50,000 football fans shouting in the stadium, perhaps just as many shouting in their homes at the TV screen. Why? They like the game, it is fun to shout and be emotionally engaged. Expected, they enjoy the game!

To remaining quiet in either scenario is a sign of disinterest, perhaps even being cold hearted.

Realizing what God has done should, similarly, evoke a shout or two!

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." - Psalm 5:11

"LET" - meaning something that would occur if not prevented.

I learn at least three (3) things from this passage:

1. Church doesn't have to be quiet to be respectful, we should let it be a little noisy sometimes;
2. God's salvation is a "Know-So!" kind - knowing, now, we are released from guilt, the captivity of obsessions, and a certain fate worse than death¹;
3. Following God is expected to be an enjoyable experience, even through difficulties² - if our walk is not joyful we need to find out why.

I think I'll go shout for a while!

- fritz

^{1 - Matthew 10:28
2 - Philippians 4:7}

Fat Fallable Fears

Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; ... But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. - Genesis 33:1,4

Sometimes our worst fears turn out to be completely false.

Jacob had wronged Esau and ran away to avoid revenge. For twenty (20) years Jacob dreaded this day but God sent him home. When they met, Jacobs fears turned out to be all wrong - all that dread, fear, and worry for nothing.

People do very foolish things with nothing but their own fears as motivations. There is a better alternative,

"Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks." - Philippians 4:6

I heard an old preacher say, "When you're coming to a brick wall, trust God will either move the wall or make a hole big enough for your head to fit through."

- fritz

A Father's heart is different than that of a brother.

My nine(9) year old son doesn't act as mature as my thirty one(31) year old, yet I am not disappointed in him at all. My heart is filled with joy just being with him and watching him grow!

Every parent knows why - he is supposed to act like he's nine because he is nine. His fourteen(14) year old brother looks at him with disgust, "Mom! He is acting so childish!!"

The heart of a Father is different than the heart of a brother!

Listening to a message by Mike Bickle opened a whole new understanding of how God can be happy with us with all our shortcomings. Our Heavenly Father rejoices in our sincerity and understands our immaturity, being happy with our changed heart through Christ, our growth and future.

The Bible, in Philippians 4:8, tells us to think on that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and what is virtuous and praise worthy - it will make us happy! God knows that, it is exactly what He does with us and it makes him happy.

- Fritz