Part 15 (2/2)

But then my husband said, ”Well, now, you know, it's not 14-karat gold.”

So I asked the clerk, ”How long do you think the gold-plating will last?”

”Well, it could last from five to ten years.” Notice she wasn't making any real commitment; she just said it might last that long.

I turned to Dave and said, ”Oh, my. I really like that watch. What should I do?”

”It's your money,” he answered.

”I'll tell you what I'm going to do,” I told the clerk. ”You hold it for me for half an hour. I'm going to walk around the mall for a bit. If I want the watch, I'll come back within thirty minutes.”

So Dave and I walked around the mall for a while. As we did so, we pa.s.sed a dress shop. Because I needed a couple of new outfits, I went in and found a really nice suit. I tried it on, and it fit perfectly. I loved it.

”That's a nice suit,” Dave said. ”You really ought to get it.”

I looked at the price tag and saw that it read $279. That was more than I usually paid for clothing at that time, but I really wanted that suit! I was trying to decide what to do and became very confused, so I put the suit back on the rack.

”Aren't you going to buy it?” David asked.

”No,” I answered. ”I'm not going to buy it either. I'm going to think about it.”

Actually there were three things I wanted. I wanted the watch, I wanted the suit, and I wanted not to be broke. I wanted to have some money on hand to buy little things I needed from time to time and to be able to do some things I enjoyed like taking my kids out for lunch now and then.

What did I eventually do? I applied wisdom. I decided to wait. The watch would have taken all my savings and would still not be what I really wanted. The suit was beautiful, but it also would have taken most of my savings. Since it was long-sleeved, I wouldn't have been able to wear it until the next fall. It would have hung in my closet for a long time.

The best thing, I decided, was to keep my money and wait until I was sure what I wanted most.

I really learned a lesson from that experience. I had peace about my decision. As much as I would have enjoyed either the watch or the suit, I knew I had done the right thing.

It turned out that my husband later used his saved allowance and bought both the watch and the suit for me-plus a ring to match! It all worked out beautifully because I was willing to listen to reason and apply wisdom rather than being controlled by my emotions.

If we are willing to learn to control our emotions, G.o.d will bless us.

I am not saying that if you will delay every decision, someone else will make it for you and you will get everything you want and more. I am saying that usually the wisest course is: when in doubt, don't!

If we are willing to learn to control our emotions, G.o.d will bless us.

When faced with any difficult decision, wait until you have peace or a clear answer before taking a step you may regret. Emotions are wonderful, but they must not be allowed to take precedence over wisdom and knowledge. Remember: control your emotions; don't let them control you.

CHAPTER 65.

Managing Your Emotions for a Life of Joy and Peace It is always fun to go to banquets or other catered events where all your wants and needs are met immediately and fully by someone else. But there is always a price to be paid for that kind of service. The same is true in the area of emotions. There is a price we must pay for catering to the desires and demands of our emotions-the demands of our flesh. Romans 8:8 explains, ”So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appet.i.tes and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy G.o.d, or be acceptable to Him.”

Following the desires of the flesh leads to destruction; following the Spirit leads to life and peace (see v. 6). If we follow the dictates and demands of our flesh-our unbridled emotions-we will have a price to pay. Why? The thoughts and purposes of the flesh are hostile to G.o.d and cannot submit to G.o.d's law (see v. 7). Part of the price we must pay for catering to our emotions is not being able to live the Spirit-filled life. The flesh is opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit is opposed to the flesh. They are continually antagonistic to each other. This means we cannot be led by our emotions and still be led by the Holy Spirit. We have to make a choice.

We cannot be led by our emotions and still be led by the Holy Spirit. We have to make a choice.

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