Emotional Hostage

Are you being held hostage by your own emotions or worse yet held emotionally hostage by the ones closest to you? Don’t allow yourself to be a prisoner of anger, doubt, fear, depression, intimidation, anxiety or any other negative emotion. Unhealthy feelings left unchecked can destroy your life. If we constantly feed our minds junk food, our minds will turn on our body. This why it is so important that we renew our minds by studying and mediating on the Word of God. The Bible says to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed in our mind. (Romans 12:2)

We are all created with emotions. Our emotions are there to protect us from danger and allow us to feel love, joy, hope, compassion, and excitement and yes even sadness. A big part of our humanity is our ability to feel things and appreciate life. It is natural to feel fear when in danger, but it is not healthy to be in the fight or flight mode 24/7.  If we lacked emotions, we would merely be cold robotic type beings which would be boring, depressing and a little scary.

While emotions are important, we must also understand the importance of balance within our daily life. Often times, if we are not careful, we can be held captive by hostile emotions that ultimately isolate us from others and create distance between ourselves and Father God. Unchecked negative emotions can wreak havoc in our family life, in our work life, in our church life, and in our social life.

Sometimes we need inner healing to get to the root of why we feel the way we do. The mind is a very powerful thing and it can be used for us or turn against us. That’s why people often say that the mind is a battlefield. We must learn to cast down every imagination, every high thought that would come against the Word of God.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4)

As I was contemplating on how to write this article, a song by the Rolling Stones came on the radio. Yes, I sometimes listen to secular music. The Holy Spirit highlighted the following lyrics from the song, Emotional Rescue: “I’ll be your knight in shining armor. I will come to your emotional rescue.” The Lord can speak to us through anything. In this particular situation, the Lord was saying to me that He was my knight in shining armor and He would come to my emotional rescue. The really profound thing is when I looked up the complete lyrics to the song, there was a line that read: “I’ll be your savior, steadfast and true. I’ll come to your emotional rescue.” This was a key ingredient into emotional healing. Jesus was going to reveal to me how He heals the brokenhearted through His Spirit and His Word. It was a confirmation and a witness to my spirit that I was on the right track.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61)

Emotional Manipulation

So, the way that the Lord spoke to me through the song, Emotional Rescue confirmed some important biblical truths that I would like to share. These Scriptures deal with emotions and how we should deal with them as taught in the Bible. Ultimately, Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit is able to heal our broken hearts and balance our emotions. I will now highlight biblical key points on how we can become free from being held hostage by our emotions. It is vital that we not only control our emotions, but that we protect ourselves from being pulled into someone else’s negative emotions.

Anger

Anger and rage are very destructive emotions that can cause us to be devasted and destroy relationships in our life. Anger is akin to being a fool. A fool takes pleasure in mischief. Anger can be used to manipulate and intimidate other people in our life. Sometimes a person may be passive aggressive, which is very subtle, but just as dangerous. We must not allow anger, bitterness, and frustration to get the better of us. Also, we must be sober and alert to people around us who may try to pull us into their mess by attempting to take us emotionally hostage.  

“A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11 Amplified)

“This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1: 19-20)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

Anxiety

There’s an epidemic of anxiety in our world. The society we live in is full of violence, disease and uncertainty. Bad things happen to good people. However, the Word of God assures that if we abide in the secret place under the shadow of the Almighty we will be safe. We must stay close to the Lord for He is our refuge and fortress. “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” (Psalm 91:5-6)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7)

Fear

1 John 4:18 says perfect love casts out fear, but what does that mean? I believe it means when we realize the perfect love that Jesus has for us we won’t fear what may happen to us. We will recognize through an intimate relationship with the Lord and knowledge of the Word, that we will be safe in his arms. He tells us in this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer for He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Worry

Worry is simply unbelief. When we worry, what we are really saying is that we don’t trust God to look after us or our loved ones. Apprehension about current events or future events just drains our energy. When we develop an intimate relationship with Jesus and seek His counsel in our daily lives; we will find that He is capable of taking care of us and our family. The Bible says all of our days are numbered in His book. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139: 16)

“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?” (Luke 12:25)

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Depression

Despondency is a state of low spirits that is brought on by loss of hope. If we don’t have faith, we can’t have hope. Hope is a feeling of expectation and faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Without faith, we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Sometimes we will just have to overcome a general spirit of heaviness and for that we are to put on the garment of praise. Trusting God with our future is key.

Doubt

If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.  For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides]. (James 1: 5-8 Amplified)

Balance and Emotional Healing

In conclusion, it is the Lord’s will that we walk in balance concerning our day-to-day lives. This requires that we nurture our physical body, our spiritual body, and our soul which is our mind, will and emotions. By remaining at rest and being still, we are able to clearly hear the Lord. It’s important not to get off on one side or the other side of the path and fall into a ditch. Balancing God’s Word with His Spirit is essential.

“May the path of your foot be balanced and all your ways be sure.” (Proverbs 4:26)

“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 Amplified)

“Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah” (Psalm 4:4)

As we allow the Lord to minister to our heart and as we study and apply His Word, we will discover that He is our knight in shining armor. He will free us from destructive, unbalanced emotions and release us from being an emotional hostage. Jesus spoke to me through a Rolling Stones song on the radio and said: “I’ll be your Savior, steadfast and true. I’ll come to your emotional rescue.”