God Rules Emotions

4/19/2025

Recently, I woke up in the middle of the night with my heart racing and pounding from a dream. As I reflected on it, I realized that in real life I wouldn’t have had that reaction at all, and yet I had a dread that was unreasonable. I really believe I would’ve been “brave” in such a situation, but what I remembered was God is the one who determines “how brave we are” or “how much we are able to love or experience peace.” Dread and joy are gifts from God to enemies and friends, not simply earned by circumstances.

These are things we can pray about and pray for, for those who oppose God’s purposes, or for those we love. These things are “entities” God owns within us, not just responses to caffeine or victories or defeats. God is not only the King of situations, but also the King of the chemical factories within humans, any time He pleases.

If “The mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6) then it’s not hard to conclude or to notice that if reflecting on a job or place or decision makes us nauseous, and a thought of something, or someplace brings a very unsettled heart and mind, even while we are approaching it 100% with neutrality, no bias or fear or preference or desire... Then the opposite of life and peace might indicate that our mind is not controlled by the Spirit, and it’s not God’s idea to take this decision to a place that is disturbing in our heart.

God most definitely has always injected into the veins of His people or His enemy cortisol or adrenaline or dopamine. Watch for it, but don’t even think about not being neutral, and just “claiming” that “God didn’t give me peace,” blah, blah. Using God’s name in vain is just as wrong now as it ever was.

“I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter.” (God can instill terror in enemies, no matter how brave they might have been or might think that they are. God rules emotions.) (Exodus 23:27)

“This day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.” (Deuteronomy 2:25)

“No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as He promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go.” (Deuteronomy 11:25)

“Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are only mortal.” (a legitimate prayer!) (Psalm 9:20)

And other emotions are in His arsenal as well, as He leads and protects us...

“You turned my mourning into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” (Psalms 30:11)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him...” (Romans 15:13)

“...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning...” (Isaiah 61:3)

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...” (Colossians 3:15)

“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit...” (Romans 5:5)