By Karen Y. Stevens

I don’t know about you, but people are usually the cause of most of my moods. Motivational speakers, preachers, etc. say, don’t let people, and their behavior, rule you or change your mood. Well, I have tried to accomplish that for the last 30 years, and I still have not master that task. 1 John 4:20 says “Whoever claims to love God, yet hates a brother or sister, is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” In the heat of my “not loving people” I would tell myself I can’t possible love God and would beat myself up about it. And yes, I know this scripture is pertaining to Christians only. On a show called “Brain Games”, it was showing how our frontal cortex takes over, when we are in survival mode. Survival mode to our brain, is also winning, coming out in front, being the best, not letting people say rude things to us, etc. When we are challenged by other people, our frontal cortex takes over and lashes out, or devises a plan. Hence the emotions when you’re behind a car that is going to slow, in the fast lane. Your frontal cortex is saying “Hey, they are in the way of your objection, to get somewhere on time.” If you allow yourself to stew over this, because they won’t get out of the way, then it can ruin your entire day. Screaming at the car, riding on the tail of their car, (not that I do this!) all these things means that you are acting on the emotion. I have mastered the art of nice driving, even though I did most of my young adult driving in Houston; but there are many other areas I need to work on. I did hear something this morning that really helped. Just because you are feeling the emotion, does not mean you have sinned, it’s only when you act on the emotion. Subconsciously, I have always tried to do this, but never gave it thought. I don’t have to feel guilty about the feeling, which most of the time I do. I do have to feel bad about acting on the emotion. Most of the time, I control my actions, but sometimes, oh, it is not a pretty picture. January is considered the month of change, because we all want to start the new year out on the right foot. The best thing you can do for yourself, is to change your way of thinking. Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test, and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

Karen Y. Stevens, Founder

Orange County Christian Writers Guild