Emotions are a gift from God and were created for our enjoyment. They help make great moments in life memorable! But indulging in negative emotions can start you on a downward spiral which will prevent you from fulfilling your destiny. A lot of people live life as an emotional roller-coaster. They will not fulfill their destiny because they will not be willing to endure what needs to be endured to get through the finish line. The apostle Paul said “I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself.” I believe that he’s saying that he’s not emotionally self-centered, or led by his emotions. This is significant because he goes on to say “so that I may accomplish my course…” Because Paul was not given to negative emotions about his life, and because he wasn’t led by his emotions, he was able to fulfill the purpose that God had for his life. If he had been self-centered, and led by his emotions, he would not have taken the risks that he took to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. He probably would have given up as soon as he received a little criticism and experienced a few hardships. But he didn’t give into feeling sorry for himself, he didn’t resort to whining and complaining – he endured and chose to focus on Christ and the mission He was on. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30 lists some of his hardships, which Paul refers to as “light” afflictions: he was beaten with rods and whips multiple times, stoned, left for dead, imprisoned many times, shipwrecked, and suffered hunger, cold and nakedness. Many of us would get too emotionally negative about a tenth of what he experienced, and we would have bailed before we ever accomplished anything. We wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience any more hardship, or see any significant fruitfulness. If you want to fulfill your destiny, you are going to have to learn to endure through difficulties by not allowing your emotions to be dictated by them. You can choose to experience joy and peace no matter what is going on around you. And when you have this peace on the inside you will be able to make good decisions (unemotionally) and persevere in what God has called you to.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me…”
Psalm 23:4 American Standard Version (ASV)

Even if you’re going through the valley of the shadow of death, you do not have to experience any negative emotions (like fear). If you’re focused on the wonderful truth that God is with you (Hebrews 13:5) then you can go through hell with not one speck of fear. And this is one reason why so many people do not fulfill their destiny: when all hell breaks loose, they fear – instead of focusing on God and His promises.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6 King James Version (KJV)

If you want your destiny to be filled with life and peace, then you need to be “spiritually minded” – which means that your thinking has to be dominated by God’s Word. Emotions follow your focus and your focus determines your destiny.

Thought to focus on for the day:
I choose to focus my attention and meditate on God and His Word. I hold not my life as dear unto myself and as such I will accomplish my course and fulfill my destiny.