Think OVER Your Emotions
Psalm 4 has a specific structure that centers the Psalm on verse 4:
Psalm 4:4 (ESV) Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
The first verse is a cry of distress based on the goodness of God from the past.
The second verse is a renunciation of all who come against him in godlessness.
The third verse is a reminder of God's promise and protection.
The fifth verse is another call for trust in God.
The sixth verse denounces those who question God.
The seventh verse is reminiscent of God's goodness in the past.
The eight verse is confident assurance of God's peace.
But in the middle, the fourth verse is what we do when we pray.
We refuse to let our emotions get the best of us. We don't let our feelings control our actions. Be angry, sure that's a feeling, an emotion. Do not act on it. Remember who God is, ponder this in your heart and mind. Think about God and stop talking for a few moments. Let His presence with you still the nonsense around you.
You have to wonder if Paul had this Psalm in mind in Philippians 4.
Philippians 4:6–8 (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Certainly we have a common correlation here. Our job is to present our requests to God without letting the emotions of the moment control our response. We do this by thinking of good and lovely things.
Our emotions are the battlefield in prayer. Our minds are the bunkers in the warfare. We have to put peaceful thoughts in place so that emotions will no longer be controlled by what others do or say to us or about us.
You cannot deny your feelings. That's not what we are called to. No, we are called to leverage our minds in the war for our emotions. Truth from God, His promises, His covenant, His faithfulness in your life is the meditative force that trumps the emotive force of over-reacting and falling to pieces.
Notice that this Psalm is a night-time Psalm. How often do our emotions keep us awake at night, robbing us of rest and energy for tomorrow to tackle the problems with grace.
God doesn't want that for you. And HIS WORD is there to make us rest.
Think OVER your emotions. Let your thoughts be renewed by God's Word to you and for you, and your heart will respond in peace.
Psalm 4:4 (ESV) Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
The first verse is a cry of distress based on the goodness of God from the past.
The second verse is a renunciation of all who come against him in godlessness.
The third verse is a reminder of God's promise and protection.
The fifth verse is another call for trust in God.
The sixth verse denounces those who question God.
The seventh verse is reminiscent of God's goodness in the past.
The eight verse is confident assurance of God's peace.
But in the middle, the fourth verse is what we do when we pray.
We refuse to let our emotions get the best of us. We don't let our feelings control our actions. Be angry, sure that's a feeling, an emotion. Do not act on it. Remember who God is, ponder this in your heart and mind. Think about God and stop talking for a few moments. Let His presence with you still the nonsense around you.
You have to wonder if Paul had this Psalm in mind in Philippians 4.
Philippians 4:6–8 (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Certainly we have a common correlation here. Our job is to present our requests to God without letting the emotions of the moment control our response. We do this by thinking of good and lovely things.
Our emotions are the battlefield in prayer. Our minds are the bunkers in the warfare. We have to put peaceful thoughts in place so that emotions will no longer be controlled by what others do or say to us or about us.
You cannot deny your feelings. That's not what we are called to. No, we are called to leverage our minds in the war for our emotions. Truth from God, His promises, His covenant, His faithfulness in your life is the meditative force that trumps the emotive force of over-reacting and falling to pieces.
Notice that this Psalm is a night-time Psalm. How often do our emotions keep us awake at night, robbing us of rest and energy for tomorrow to tackle the problems with grace.
God doesn't want that for you. And HIS WORD is there to make us rest.
Think OVER your emotions. Let your thoughts be renewed by God's Word to you and for you, and your heart will respond in peace.
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