Mental toughness is essential in all aspects of life. Those that are mentally tough are the ones who overcome difficulties. Embarrassment, failures, and problems can knock them down. But they always get back up because of mental toughness. That’s why it’s essential for you to know how to control your emotions
The training that athletes and soldiers go through is more mental than physical. And one aspect of mental toughness is being able to control your emotions. This is a crucial ability to learn.
Emotions play an essential role in how we think and how we behave. In many cases, emotions influence the decision that we make. Sometimes we make the wrong decision because we let our emotions get the best of us.
The devil knows this; that’s why the devil always tempts us when we go through difficult circumstances. Satan knows that if he can control our emotions, he can lead us to do what he wants. That’s why we must learn to rule over our emotions.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 25:28
Rule over your emotions, or your emotions will rule over you.
Edifying the saints
If you don’t control your emotions, your emotions will dictate your choices.
6And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 7And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
1 Samuel 30:6-8
Firstly, notice David’s distress (extreme pain; anguish of body or mind.) The people wanted to stone him to death, which caused him great distress. Almost everyone was blaming him for what was happening. It seems to David that everyone is against him.
Secondly, take a look at David’s decision. He remained calm and didn’t blame anyone. He just encouraged himself in the Lord. This means he didn’t focus on the people condemning him and wanting him dead. But he focused on getting near God instead. How did David get near to God? Notice what he did next.
Thirdly, David’s direction. He inquired of the Lord while he was in great distress. This is the best response a person can do when in trouble. We get near to God when we pray to Him. However, most Christians neglect God in times of distress.
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3
The frequency of prayer is anytime. The answer to our prayer is definite. And the power of prayer is incomprehensible. Pride is the only thing that’s stopping us from praying. We think that we can handle things on our own.
David did not let his emotions control his choices. He directed his feelings. Therefore, he encouraged himself in the Lord and asked the Lord through prayer.
If you don’t control your emotions, your emotions will dictate your convictions.
10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: 11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:10-11
Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone in Babylon to worship the golden image. He was the most powerful man during that time. And those who will disobey the command will be cast into the fiery furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in a circumstance where they would either follow Nebuchadnezzar’s command or their conviction. If they obeyed the king, then they would be committing idolatry. If they refuse to attend, then they will be executed.
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Daniel 3:16-18
Their answer was quick and straightforward. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego followed their conviction rather than the king’s command. The king gave the order to throw them into the fiery furnace. But God was there to preserve their life.
How did they make this decision? It’s because their conviction was not based on their emotions. Their conviction was based on the Word of God.
Emotions can change. Circumstances will change. But the Word of God will never change. Therefore, we must base our convictions on the Word of God and not allow our emotions to dictate our convictions.
If you don’t control your emotions, your emotions will destroy your character.
Character is who you are in the dark.
D.L. Moody
Joseph, the dreamer, was a sinner, just like us. But the Bible does not mention any sin that he had committed. He never let his emotions dictate his character, even in terrible situations.
3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Genesis 37:3-4
He was envied and hated by his brethren. They criticized him with their words. But he kept his character even when he was in this situation.
10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
Genesis 39:10-12
Potiphar’s wife continually tempted him. But he kept his character and fled from temptation. They put him in prison because of a false accusation. But he continued to keep his character.
He became one of the most powerful men in Egypt. He had the opportunity to take vengeance on his brethren, who sold him to slavery. But even in this situation, he kept his character.
18And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Genesis 50:18-21
How did Joseph keep his character despite the demanding situations that he went through? It’s because he knew how to control his emotions.
These characters that we have studied are ordinary people whom God used. They knew how to control their emotions. Because of that, their feelings never dictated their choices, convictions, and character.
