We never know for certain what a day will bring. Typically, we hope that a day will bring fulfillment to some aspect of our life. Often we desire things that may or may not be good for us in a run of the day. Awakening from a night that has passed an entering the unknown of a new day is really quite amazing. I say “amazing” because the new day is just that “new”. With each day we have a choice to be lead by the big “E”. The big “E” is the first letter of a word that can take you into many different directions in the turn of a day. The big “E” changes just as the night does into day. The big “E” sometimes brings temporary satisfaction in some areas of our lives. However, the big “E” can also bring us to a point of despair and desperation if we allow it to. What is the big “E” you ask? The big “E” is the overwhelming, illogical but can be logical, motivating, but can’t always be trusted thing that we carry with us daily. What is the big “E” you ask? Well, the big “E” is none other than our big “Emotions”. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines emotion as “a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body.” Yes, the big “E” is all of what Webster just said. Nonetheless, always being lead by the big “E” can be dangerous. This morning I had the choice to be lead by my emotions based on my interaction with a family member, but I chose to move beyond my angry thoughts and view the issue from a different perspective. How I viewed the situation changed the course of my day in a positive way. Some psychologist and practitioners may say that emotions control our thinking, behavior, and actions. However, based on my experience and Psychologist such as Alfred Adler I believe just the opposite. Adler’s theory is based on a person activating thoughts leading them to a particular action/behavior. In other words, if we have “stinky” thinking we will have “stinky” behaviors that lead to “stinky” consequences. Being lead by the big “E” is someone who is lead by perceptions. How do you view things? Perceptions are subjective and are subject to change. Instead, of being lead by the big “E” make a decision to guide your emotions today. How do you do that? Take control of your thinking/perceptions. How can you do that? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your understanding. Prov.3:5 (KJV) Remember today is a new day. Amazing!!
Letatia Long is the founder of Time of Refreshing Ministries that provides spiritual life coaching for those desiring to move from point A to point B. Letatia enjoys writing, Zumba, and traveling.
