Controlling your emotions

Jesse was always angry about something. Her first response about whatever happened was to become angry and play the victim role.

She was unpleasant to be around, but she had a good heart. Most people tried to counteract her negative moods and love her despite her attitude.

Jesse also was frequently sad and looked on the dark side of most things. Regardless of what happened, she failed to see the good side of it.

We all have different emotions. God gave humanity the tools, but it's up to you how you use them. We can be joyful, fearful and happy or angry and sad.

You probably experience feelings you find hard to explain, too, but you must fight against indulging in them too long. Don't carry any of them to extremes. There are times when you need to be sad, joyful, angry or even puzzled. There's a time for all those emotions.

For example, you don't want to be altogether joyful at a funeral, although many religions believe death is to be celebrated. You don't want to be sad at a wedding or the birth of a child, but there are extenuating circumstances that affect those occasions, too.

It may be that you don't think the couple is suited for each other, or maybe you wonder how the parents can properly support and care for the baby.

There are many reasons for emotions.

You have to control your feelings.

It's a difficult request because even Jesus became angry. One instance of his anger is when he threw the money changers out of the temple. He showed his fury at their disrespect by "overturning the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves" (Mark 11:15).

Jesus went so far as to drive them out of the temple. Jesus, indeed, showed his emotions.

The people were disrespecting the temple, God's place of worship for the Jews. Jesus definitely showed his anger for a time, but then, I'm reasonably certain he regained his composure and went on preaching and demonstrating love and kindness, self-control and honesty.

So, the general point is that different emotions fit various situations, but you must gauge how you respond to your feelings.

Moderation is still the key, as it is in everything. If you were joyful all the time, you would be unable to understand and empathize with those who were sad, and so on.

If you fail to control your anger, you're capable of acting in a manner of which you'll be sorry later. The one with whom you're angry often is unaware of your anger, doesn't care that you're upset or is glad.

Useful emotions are wonderful. A close relative, Jim, who recently lost his spouse at a young age, tried to skip over the grieving process. He attempted to fill the empty space with obligations, being with others and whatever else he could find to keep from facing the inevitable. The inevitable was to get alone and face his loss. Jim had to begin to reckon with and deal with his emotions -- those feelings he had kept hidden for so long, even from himself.

During his wife's illness, Jim was the strong one and everybody marveled at his tenacity. He, too, believed he could continue his pace.

Then, eventually, his defenses weakened and he crashed. Jim discovered he needed to be alone.

Whenever he could, Jim reached within to find what was inside. He found the emotions of anger, sadness, guilt and loneliness. It was only when he faced and controlled them that he began to heal.

So, regardless of what happens to you, keep a level head. Remember all emotions are good when they are directed in the right direction. Make your own peace within. You can have a great day every day, but only you can decide.