1 Samuel 13:10-12, "Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him but Samuel said, ‘What is this you have done?' Saul replied, ‘I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. I thought, "The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven't even asked for the LORD's help!" So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.'" Psalm 119:10, "I seek you with all of my heart, do not let me stray from your commands."

Think

Imagine the feeling you get when you're sitting in the passenger seat and the person driving is swerving all over the road. All of a sudden your head starts pounding and you feel like throwing up, but all you can do is close your eyes and hold on tight until it's over! Motion sickness is a terrible feeling, but even worse is emotion sickness. Saul experienced a gnarly case of emotion sickness. Notice that while he was rationalizing his actions to Samuel, Saul used these three phrases: I SAW, I THOUGHT, I FELT. Saul was compromised because of his emotions. Instead of responding in obedience, he reacted out of emotion. Acting on impulse, he disobeyed God. If we are not careful, our emotions can get the best of us. Saul's major mistake was letting those three statements drive his decision to disobey. We can learn from Saul. When we are afraid, instead of acting off of our emotions in the moment, we must learn to take a step back and seek God's wisdom first.

 

Act

Take out a journal and a pen. What's one situation or person that you emotionally react to? Write it down. Now, instead of emotionally reacting when you are faced with that thing, bring it to God and ask him to help you handle the situation. Seek his guidance through prayer, your Bible, or talking to a trusted friend with a track record of wisdom!

 

Pray

God, thank you for being there to take on what I cannot handle emotionally. Whatever comes my way, give me wisdom and discernment to handle it in a way that honors you. It's in your name I pray, Amen.