Don't Let Emotions Rule Your Life!

Today I was reading in 1 Samuel about Saul and David.  Saul was the first human king of the Israelites because they wanted to be like the other tribes.  God chose Saul but then Saul started to become an emotional ruler letting things like pride and greed and lust and jealously get in the way of ruling for the Lord.  Saul would do things that were not in tune with his covenant with God and then tried to explain it away with lies - lies to God!  Really?  Because God doesn't know all and see all?  Seriously, Saul!  Although this same thing happens over and over through the Bible - at least so far as I've read - so Saul isn't the only one a sheep short of a flock!

David is from David and Goliath fame!  That's the David and God is choosing him to be the new king for the Israelites.  David has a deep love for God and has a God-like spirit.  He does not let his emotions rule his life, well almost not.  He does let love for God rule it.  And, scripture will tell us that David was the best king!

Okay, great bible story.  I couldn't stop reading it!  But I did learn from it.  I need to temper my emotions when dealing with situations that occur in my life.  Almost every bad time in my life is surrounded by negative emotions.  I was jealous or unjustly angry or unloving or unreasonable.  Bad emotions never really solve anything.  As my mother always says, you can get more with honey than you can with vinegar!  And she is right!

The apostle Paul said in his letter to Titus, "Remind them ... to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone."  Honestly, this is the perfect description of my dad!  He was the kindest, gentlest, most caring and respectful person I have ever known.  I have always aspired to be like Dad with a modicum of success.  But when Dad moved on to Heaven in December, I vowed that I would be more like him!  It has NOT been easy but I am getting better at listening with my heart, turning the other cheek,  "walking a mile in others' shoes".  Don't kid yourself,  it started off being a lot of work but it does get easier and it is TOTALLY worth it!  

So go wild - with the positive emotions!