Feelings

I wrote this poem today because I was thinking about how many times we tend to let our feelings control us. We are not slaves to our emotions, or at least we don't have to be!  It's easy to act upon how we feel, but that's where we need to know truth, and the difference between right and wrong. How we treat others is important, and feelings of anxiety, bitterness, anger, depression, pain and hurt, attractions, obsessions, illness - you name it! - do not give us liberty to do what's wrong or mistreat others.  That only makes things worse. Yes, there's life beyond PMS and hormones!  We also need to be careful that we don't define who we are by our feelings. 

I'd like to encourage you (and myself, too!) to think before you act or speak, and when irritable or not feeling well or not feeling "yourself", still do the right thing. With God's help, you can be an overcomer.

Feelings

By Dawn Foss

One important thing in life

To know that really pays,

Is that feelings don’t determine

How you spend your days.

You have a choice, choose it well

When it comes to life,

Acting on one’s anger

Just leads to greater strife.

Feeling so emotional

Is not a good excuse

For treating others badly

And acting with abuse.

Anxiety can get you down

Yet you can choose to trust;

God will not forsake you,

But praying is a must.

Sadness and depression

Can lead you to despair,

But you can have both joy and peace,

Just go to God in prayer.

Attractions and obsessions

Can also steer you wrong;

How you feel does not mandate

Who you are at all.

Feelings can be transient,

Or even troublesome;

Flesh will want more pleasure,

Giving temporary fun.

Hearts can lead astray,

Pain leads to breaks and scars;

Decisions can be tainted

When left to bitter hearts.

People often bully

When there is deeper pain;

Acting mean and nasty

Just gives more hurt again.

Don’t rely on how you feel,

Make a better plan;

Drive your actions based how one

Should treat their fellow man.

God’s Word will never let you down,

It shows you what is right;

Act on that and you will find

Your future will be bright.

Set the example, take a stand

And you’ll find more and more,

Your feelings won’t control you

Like they once did before.