Having Control of Our Thoughts and Feelings

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Many of us have been believed that you can’t control your thoughts or how you feel. However, this verse tells us to think on certain things, meaning we can control our thoughts. Our thoughts determine our emotions. We decide what we think, so we decide how we feel.

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:23 (KJV)

The fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells in your spirit includes temperance, which is self-control. This means we have the ability to control ourselves. What we think affects how we feel. When we control our thoughts, we control our feelings.

God wouldn’t tell us to do something we can’t do- that would be unjust. God is never unjust. God not only tells us we can think right, choosing what we think and ultimately how we feel, but He’ll also help us think right and feel right. We can do it if we ask Him, trust Him, and obey Him.

As we read God’s Word, it shapes how we think and feel. You may have a bad thought, but you don;t have to accept it or act upon it. Instead, you can choose to speak God’s word and act on it to change wrong thoughts and feelings. We can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help us.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)

There are sometimes when a certain feeling is good even when it seems bad. Anger, for example, can be bad or good, depending on the scenario and motivation. It is usually wrong to act in anger. However, there is a holy anger against sin that is not wrong. We can be angry about abortion, lying, being mistreated, etc. Right anger is not destructive, but overcomes evil with good. On the other hand, wrong anger will try to overcome evil with evil, which is never the right thing to do.

So, to conclude, we can choose our thoughts and how we think, which, in turn, determines how we feel. Think on God’s Word to feel right. Be led and empowered by God’s Spirit to think and feel and act right. We can change bad thoughts and feelings by using God’s Word and Spirit.