Guilt – this is an unhappy emotion resulting from self-condemnation one has when one knows he/she has done something wrong. It makes one become ashamed, withdrawn, sorrowful and suffer low self-esteem. Guilt the greatest of all energy drainers, it takes away sleep, makes one suspicious of every other person it causes tension, disability and depression (Romans 5:5). Guilt is associated with feelings of sorrow, pain, discouragement, anxiety, remorse, regret, shame, blame-shifting, weeping, self-condemnations and self-punishment. It also has its physical manifestation of tension, tiredness, lack of appetite and sleeplessness as Psalm 38 revealed.
Disappointment- is an emotional response to a failed expectation. It leads to discouragement, sadness, pain, lack of focus, blaming God, others, self, and the cause of a critical mindset.
Revenge – is something evil you do to make someone suffer for making you suffer. Paying evil for evil. Wanting to take revenge makes one a wicked and vindictive person (Prov. 20;22).
Hate – is the feeling of ill-will toward another. Harboring evil in one’s heart against another poisons the heart and causes congestion. It hinders and eats up the heart. it blocks energy, it brings disorientation, and despondence and decreases the flow of power.
Ingratitude – arouses in one with mixed feelings of all negative emotions. The more intense the ingratitude in one, the more severe feelings of anger, sadness, blame-shifting, sorrow, pains, lack of peace, loneliness, fear, exhaustion, apathy, hopelessness, inner desperation, and thoughts of suicide. Discontentment or dissatisfaction with what one has is a major cause of ingratitude. Ingratitude does not value, appreciate, or give recognition to anything or anyone because of the lust of one’s heart for more or for something else. It makes one rude, callous, complain, murmur, disloyal, dissatisfied, and take things for granted including life. Therefore, it is very easy for those given to ingratitude to commit suicide. Ingratitude brings pessimism, self-condemnation/hate and low self-esteem; it makes life miserable which leads to depression which makes one hate life.
Negative emotions are so many that we can’t finish treating them all in this write-up. However, one thing that is certain is that gratitude to God has the power to control and subdue all of them by whichever name they are called, their manifestations and diverse effects. Being grateful changes one’s negative emotional responses about a particular unpalatable situation positively because it secretes happy hormones that calm nerves and give inner peace and joy. Fearful situations are met with boldness and courage. Worrisome cases are met with calm. Anger with restraint and soberness, guilt with repentance and remorse. One becomes optimistic amid discouragements, calm amid strive, Patient amid tribulation, brave amid danger, cheerful amid sadness and gloom.
Therefore, train your emotions to respond positively to negative situations with gratitude to God by obeying all the charges on thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16: 8, 34; Psalm 50: 14; 100:4; 118:1; 147:7; Colossians 3:15-17; Colossians 2:6-7; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 2 Timothy 2:1; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 5:4.
The less one responds to negative situations negatively by responding with gratitude the more peaceful, loving, joyful and beautiful one becomes.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
