KINGDOM SECRETS TO PROCESS YOUR EMOTIONS | FRIDAY 23-06-2023
PART 5 | MASTER YOUR THINKING TO MASTER YOUR FEELINGS
BIBLICAL CASE : EMOTIONAL MATURITY IN JESUS' LIFE
● Jesus was operating at a high level of emotional maturity. Let us at some examples from the Bible.
● When Jesus was rejected at the entrance of Samaria, the disciples' emotions were hurt. “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’” (Luke 9:54 ).
● Jesus rebuked the brothers, and they all went to another village. What is it? It is emotional maturity.
● James and John’s response to the Samaritans reveals a fervency, impetuosity, and anger that could properly be called “thunderous”—and we can be sure that there were other times when James and John lived up to their nickname.
● When facing the storm, the disciples' emotions were overwhelmed with fear, but Jesus was sleeping. When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and the sea and all was calm. What is it? That's emotional maturity.
● When betrayed by his close apostle, Peter's emotions took over with anger and cut the ears of Malchus. Jesus was calm and composed. He called Judas his friend and restored the ear of Malchus. What is it? That's emotional maturity.
● After the news of John the Baptist's death, Jesus withdrew himself into a desert place. Later, when people came to be ministered to, he ministered to them. What is it? That's emotional maturity.
● When facing five thousand people to feed, the disciples' emotions were filled with worry. But Jesus was calm, composed and confident. He took the 5 breads and 2 fishes, thanked God and performed the impossible from the available. What is it? That's emotional maturity.
● When almost all of his disciples left him, Jesus' emotion was not affected. He never begged them to come back. Rather, he asked those who remained, "Are you not also going?". What is it? That's emotional maturity
● When Jesus was about to face death, his emotion was charged with agony. Yet, he was able to give up his will to willingly face death. What is it? That's emotional maturity.
What's the major lesson?
● We all face the same situation but respond to each differently according to each one emotional maturity or immaturity.
● Like Jesus' disciples, emotional immaturity answers with Worry. Fear. Anger. Hurt. Rushness.
● Like Jesus, emotional maturity answers with calmness. Confidence. Peace. Love.
QUESTION | WHAT WAS THE SECRET BEHIND JESUS' EMOTIONAL MATURITY? WHAT MADE JESUS OPERATE AT SUCH HIGH LEVEL OF EMOTIONAL MATURITY?
Secret | FOCUSED & DISCIPLINED THOUGHTS.
● OUR THOUGHTS TRIGGER OUR EMOTIONS. CONTROLLING OUR THOUGHTS IS CONTROLLING OUR EMOTIONS.
● It is important to know that our emotions go where our thoughts go. When you have positive thoughts, obviously you will have positive emotions. When you have negative thoughts, you will also have negative emotions.
● Hear me and hear me well ... Don’t believe everything you feel. Feelings are not facts. Just because you feel useless, hopeless, unlovable, and worthless, doesn’t mean that you are. You are feeling that way because you are thinking that way.
● Looking carefully at how Jesus was responding to the circumstances of life, it appears clearly that Jesus was permanently in control of his thoughts.
● When for example they were facing the storm, the disciples were thinking death. That's why they were full of fear.
● But Jesus was sleeping because he was not thinking death, but was thinking of reaching the other side of the sea.
● Where your thoughts go is where your feelings and emotions will go.
● Emotionally mature people are people who have learnt the art of controlling their thoughts and minds.
● What does the Bible say?
● In Philippians 4:8, the Bible says ... 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.
● In Isaiah 26:3, the Bible says ... God will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
WHAT DID JESUS DO TO REACH THAT LEVEL OF FOCUS?
● JESUS WAS DRAWING HIS STRENGTH FROM HIS SELF-AWARENESS, SOLITUDE AND SILENCE
SELF-AWARENESS
● Jesus knew who he was. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus was always confessing who he was.
● I am the Bread of Life. I am the Resurrection and Life. I am the the beginning and the End. I am the door of the sheep.
● The knowledge of who he was was a powerful source of spiritual and emotional strength which had a great impact on his emotional maturity.
● Since he knew that he was the bread of life, bread could not make it fall into sin. Since he knew that he was the resurrection and life, death could not scare him. Since he knew that he was loved by his Father, the hatred of men could not move him.
● People who know who they are are emotionally stronger than the people who don't know who they are.
Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you declare it ?
● You are a child of God. You are a redeemed of the Lord. You are blessed. You are unique.
● The more you are aware of it. The more you confess it. The stronger you will grow and become.
SOLITUDE
● Solitude is Not Just “Being Alone.” Loneliness is inner emptiness, whereas solitude is inner plenty.
● Solitude is intentional. Solitude is being alone with purpose.
● Solitude is the intentional temporary withdrawal from the noise and distractions of your life.
● It is a moment to listen, to think, to pray, to write, to read, or to just sit and breath.
● Jesus used solitude to Prepare for Ministry. ( Matthew 4 : 1-11 )
APPLICATION : Like Jesus, Seek solitude to intentionally prepare yourselves to plan your short and long term goals in life.
● Jesus used solitude to grieve when He experienced lost. ( Matthew 14:13 )
APPLICATION : Like Jesus, Seek solitude to recover from inevitable losses and disappointment.
● Jesus used solitude to hear from God. ( Matthew 17:1-9 )
APPLICATION : Like Jesus, Seek solitude in order to intentionally listen to God’s Spirit.
● Jesus used solitude before a Major Challenge and before making taking great decisions. ( Matthew 26:36-40 )
APPLICATION : Like Jesus, Seek solitude so you can find your quiet center and pray as a looming challenge approach.
● Jesus used solitude for renewal after draining seasons of his life. ( Luke 5:16 )
APPLICATION : Like Jesus, Seek solitude for
- Rest, rejuvenation, and renewal.
- Reconnecting with God and hear His voice.
- Reconnecting with our heart and reflect upon our spiritual condition.
- Reconnecting with yourself and cleanse yourself from a worldly mindset.
- Reconnecting and understanding your identity.
- Reconnecting and realigning your priorities and goals.
- Reconnecting and having compassion toward others.
SILENCE
● Jesus was able to quiet himself first before quieting storms around him. He was operating with self control. He was a master of himself.
● Isaiah 30:15 For so says the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you shall be saved; and in quietness and hope shall be your strength. And you were not willing.
● Silence is power. Silence is strength.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I receive the grace, help me to master myself, to be above the circumstances and storms in life
2. Lord, help me to operate a very high level of emotional maturity, to have time of solitude to receive instructions and build myself.
3. Lord, change my lifestyle and habits, help me to appreciate who I am
4. Lord, I want to be like you Jesus, to operate like him, to be quiet, silent and calm Like him.
5. Lord, help my mind and thoughts to have direction and know where I am going.
6. Lord, give me the grace to live above the storms, circumstances, noise of the devil, humiliation and accusation.
Pastor TD Kasuku
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