AVOIDING* THE HALL OF MIRRORS
OR ESCAPING
CHAPTER 8
Unrestrained Emotion: Hazardous (2|2)
Pages 104-108
James 3:9-12 (NIV) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV) “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
“If we get into the habit of venting emotionally, we will create big problems for those around us, particularly if we insist on continuing to do so in the name of emotional health. …speaking to others in an unfiltered way based purely on emotion is not a sign of emotional health, but emotional immaturity.” What is your response to this statement?
“The story of Saul is a very powerful demonstration of what happens when we believe false narratives and forget to place the necessary guards over our minds.” What false narratives have you believed? Have you broken free of those lies, or are you still in a cycle of believing false narratives?
Reflect on Stef’s two suggested reasons why highly emotional and negative interactions can be so powerful (the first on page 106, the second on page 107). What are your thoughts/response to both of them?
How are you making sure your “lie detector around your heart” has fresh batteries?