Lay Aside the Weight of Moodiness: Conquering Ungodly Emotions

Lay Aside the Weight of Moodiness

Living in a broken world, we cannot avoid the plague of bad moods. Every day, we experience irritability, discouragement, sadness, and cynicism. Moods are a common part of our lives, and we often excuse sinful attitudes by saying, “I’m just in a bad mood.” But the truth is, moods never come from nowhere. Something is always fueling them, and we must learn to challenge and rule over them instead of letting them control us.

In this article, we will explore the weight of moodiness and how we can lay it aside. We will look at the biblical perspective on emotions, the dangers of moodiness, and practical ways to conquer it.

The Biblical Perspective on Emotions

God created us with emotions. We are not robots, but living beings who experience a range of feelings. The Bible affirms the validity of our emotions and provides examples of godly men and women expressing them.

For instance, when David was fleeing from Saul, he cried out to God, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). David expressed his frustration and despair to God, and we see this pattern throughout the Psalms and other books of the Bible.

Jesus himself experienced a range of emotions during his life on earth. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), expressed anger at the moneychangers in the temple (Mark 11:15-17), and cried out to God in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-39).

However, while emotions are a part of our human experience, they are not the ultimate source of truth. Our feelings can deceive us and lead us astray, which is why we must submit them to the authority of God’s Word.

As Christians, our emotions should be shaped by our relationship with God. We should seek to align our feelings with the truth of Scripture and the character of God. This means that we must learn to discern between godly and ungodly emotions and pursue the former while rejecting the latter.

The Dangers of Moodiness

While emotions are a part of our human experience, moodiness is not a healthy way of expressing our emotions. Moodiness is characterized by instability, inconsistency, and unpredictability. It can cause us to lash out at others, make hasty decisions, and damage our relationships.

When we are moody, we are more prone to sin. Our negative emotions can fuel envy, bitterness, anger, and other sinful attitudes. We may be tempted to indulge in self-pity or despair, rather than trusting in God’s goodness and sovereignty.

Moodiness can also hinder our spiritual growth. It can distract us from the things of God and cause us to focus on our own feelings instead of the truth of Scripture. We may become apathetic towards prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

Practical Ways to Conquer Moodiness

So how can we lay aside the weight of moodiness and pursue godly emotions? Here are some practical tips:

1. Identify the source of your mood

As we’ve noted, moods never come from nowhere. There is always a reason behind them, whether it’s a difficult circumstance, a physical ailment, or a spiritual attack.

When you find yourself in a bad mood, take some time to reflect on what might be causing it. Ask yourself questions like:

• Am I tired or hungry?


• Did something happen today that upset me?


• Am I struggling with sin or unbelief?

Identifying the source of your mood can help you address it more effectively. For example, if you’re feeling irritable because you’re tired, you may need to take a nap or go to bed earlier. If you’re feeling discouraged because of a difficult circumstance, you may need to pray for strength and perspective.

2. Take your thoughts captive

Our moods are often linked to our thoughts. Negative thinking can fuel negative emotions, while positive thinking can lift our spirits.

As Christians, we have the power to take our thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We can choose to meditate on God’s truth instead of dwelling on our negative emotions.

For example, if you’re feeling anxious, you can remind yourself of Jesus’ words: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). If you’re feeling discouraged, you can remind yourself of God’s promise: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

3. Practice gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful antidote to moodiness. When we focus on the good things in our lives, we are less likely to be consumed by negative emotions.

As Christians, we have much to be grateful for. We have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, adopted into God’s family, and promised eternal life. We can also give thanks for the blessings of this life, such as our health, our relationships, and our material possessions.

Practicing gratitude can take many forms, such as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks to others, or simply pausing to give thanks to God throughout the day.

4. Seek accountability

One of the dangers of moodiness is that it can isolate us from others. We may be tempted to withdraw from relationships or lash out at those around us.

Instead, we need to seek accountability from other believers. We need people who will encourage us, challenge us, and pray for us. We need to be willing to share our struggles with others and ask for their help in overcoming them.

Accountability can take many forms, such as meeting regularly with a mentor or small group, confessing sin to a trusted friend, or seeking professional counseling.

5. Trust in God’s sovereignty

Ultimately, the key to conquering moodiness is to trust in God’s sovereignty. We must believe that he is in control of all things, even our emotions.

As Christians, we have the promise that “for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). This means that even our negative emotions can be used by God for our ultimate good and his glory.

We can trust in God’s goodness, even when we don’t understand what he’s doing. We can rest in his love, knowing that he has our best interests at heart. And we can submit our emotions to him, asking him to help us discern between godly and ungodly feelings.

Conclusion

While we cannot avoid the plague of bad moods in this broken world, we can learn to lay aside the weight of moodiness and pursue godly emotions. By identifying the source of our mood, taking our thoughts captive, practicing gratitude, seeking accountability, and trusting in God’s sovereignty, we can conquer moodiness and grow in our relationship with him.

Let us remember the words of the psalmist: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5).