General Psychology
I really enjoyed this class as well. In my lifetime, I have always struggled with "stinking thinking" as Joyce Myers has always called it. This class showed me the psychological and Biblical connection between my thinking and my emotions. I also learned from this class the importance of teaching, reaching, and counseling others with a holistic (mental, emotional, physical, and social) approach. In other words this class has thought me that every thing is not always a spiritual problem. It could be something as simple as the individual needs a nap because they are not getting enough rest.
The assignment below is is a paper that I had to write during week three, so I was just beginning to catch my bearings in the class. The instructions were as follows: This week's reading was about emotions. Write a 3 page APA formatted paper, with at least two additional sources (besides the text) on some aspect of emotion. This may be something that stood out to you from the text that you'd like to investigate further, or some aspect of emotion and emotional response that was not specifically addressed in the reading.
The assignment below is is a paper that I had to write during week three, so I was just beginning to catch my bearings in the class. The instructions were as follows: This week's reading was about emotions. Write a 3 page APA formatted paper, with at least two additional sources (besides the text) on some aspect of emotion. This may be something that stood out to you from the text that you'd like to investigate further, or some aspect of emotion and emotional response that was not specifically addressed in the reading.
Can our emotions be conquered?
Chuck Chapman
God’s Bible School and College
Thesis
I will set out to prove that although emotions can never be eliminated, they can be conquered and overcome in a healthy manner. In addition, I will also provide the reader with specific applications on how to do so.
Can our emotions be conquered?
Emotions play a very significant role in our everyday life. They have the ability to bring us up or to bring us down. Not only do our emotions have the ability to affect us, but they also have the ability to affect those with whom we come in contact with. Our emotions have the ability to affect our motivations in a positive or negative way. In addition, they also can affect the people we come in contact with in a positive or negative way.
Why are humans more driven by emotions than facts? For example: it is a fact that if I do not get up out of bed and go to work, then I will not receive a check from my employer and therefore will not be able to pay my bills and support my family. Although, when my emotions set in for example; one like depression, then the facts of life hold second place to my emotions.
Chuck Chapman
God’s Bible School and College
Thesis
I will set out to prove that although emotions can never be eliminated, they can be conquered and overcome in a healthy manner. In addition, I will also provide the reader with specific applications on how to do so.
Can our emotions be conquered?
Emotions play a very significant role in our everyday life. They have the ability to bring us up or to bring us down. Not only do our emotions have the ability to affect us, but they also have the ability to affect those with whom we come in contact with. Our emotions have the ability to affect our motivations in a positive or negative way. In addition, they also can affect the people we come in contact with in a positive or negative way.
Why are humans more driven by emotions than facts? For example: it is a fact that if I do not get up out of bed and go to work, then I will not receive a check from my employer and therefore will not be able to pay my bills and support my family. Although, when my emotions set in for example; one like depression, then the facts of life hold second place to my emotions.
There are many contributing factors that can affect our emotional state such as; love, hate, circumstances, weather, and finances. Because of these various factors our emotions become adaptive to these surroundings. In their book Introduction to Psychology, Hilgard and Atkinson confirm this claim when they note “If some of our features of emotional behavior are adaptive and other features are disruptive, we need a hygiene of emotions so that people can enjoy emotional expression without suffering the damage caused by emotional excesses” (Hilgard, R. Earnest. Atkinson, Richard & Rita., 1971). They go on to ask the question at hand “The hygiene of emotions largely involves the question of emotional control. Does maturity consist primarily of suppressing emotional expression so that life can be conducted more rationally? Or is emotional expression a kind of safety valve essential to healthy living?”
This observation brings to the mind the following questions: what are some healthy ways of emotional expressions, and should I suppress or even try to eliminate my emotions? In his book Psychology and Life, Floyd L. Ruch answers these questions for us by providing the reader with some specific applications, Ruch writes “Others control their emotions by bottling them up and refusing to express them at all, usually with unfortunate results for their physical and mental health. The mature individual, on the other hand, controls his emotions without denying them. By doing what he can to maintain good health, get adequate rest, choose congenial work and surroundings, avoid unnecessary pressures, set realistic goals, and develop a sense of humor, he goes a long way towards avoiding unpleasant tensions. He also develops healthy and acceptable outlets for releasing emotional tensions- hobbies and varied interests, sports and manual work are but a few of many possibilities. Such factors are an important factor in emotional health, for although man can learn to control the expression of his emotions, he can never eliminate the” (Ruch, 1967).
The author does a wonderful job of pointing out a few facts; first there are activities that can help us to mature in a healthy way of controlling our emotions. Secondly, our emotions are not meant to be suppressed or bottled up. Finally, bottling up our emotions can cause mental or emotional problems. One thing that I feel Ruch failed to mention in relation to emotional maturity is a relationship with God. This would most likely be due to the fact that Ruch’s book is secular based and therefore such factors of emotional maturity were not addressed from this angle.
All of Ruch’s applications for emotional maturity are valid steps that an individual can do in order to help them grow, mature, and become a well-balanced emotional individual who is not held hostage by their emotions. However, with a Christian psychological approach we have an extra edge on our emotions that the secular psychologist approach cannot offer. A brief contrast between a secular and Christian psychological approach will demonstrate this point.
In secular psychology the emphasis is towards self-worth and alleviating guilt by just about any means possible. These means could involve suppression, denial, and so on. In contrast with Christian psychology, the individual’s self-worth is found in Christ and the guilt is acknowledged, faced, and dealt with. This is a more productive and beneficial procedure for the individuals health and mental state. The individual is able face and feel his guilt as in comparison to suppression.
Unlike the healthy choices of facing guilt and moving forward from it; suppressing or avoidance can be most hazardous to the individual. In future events when an instance of guilt arises within the individual they will either run from it or shift the blame to someone else. This seriously handicaps the individual’s emotional and mental maturity level. In addition, those who the individual comes in contact with will never receive the benefits of a healthy, meaningful, mature relationship. This is usually because the individual keeps himself at a distant from others, and lives in fear that no one could ever love the “real them.”
In contrast the Christian, who has developed healthy habits of dealing with his emotions through an ongoing relationship with Christ, will not only grow in their own levels of maturity, but will also inspire and induce growth in the lives of others that they come in contact with.
Granted there will be times in the Christian and non-Christians life when their emotions will get the better of them and they will not be able to handle themselves in a mature manner. However, the Christian approach to psychology takes what we know about the word of God and applies it to our lives through our, actions this in turn has a major impact on our emotions; which in turn comes back around and positively affects our actions.
In recovery meetings they have a saying that will help the individual regardless of their religious background “fake it till you make it.” This saying lines up with a story in the Bible. The Gospel of Matthew tells about a vineyard owner with two sons. One said he would go work in his father’s field, however he did not. The other said he would not work however, later on he did (Matthew 21:28-32 ). The Bible shows that rather we feel like it or not, we are required at times to take action. These actions produce the positive requirements that have been placed on us. Also, the purpose of the recovery statement is to show that if we take actions eventually our feelings or emotions will line up with our actions.
Conclusion
Before pursuing my current endeavors, I functioned in the role of a handy man. I have completed home repairs on everything from flooring to roofing. In the course of my home repairs I have learned that if you do not turn off the pressure to a pressurized water pipe that is continually growing; it will eventually bust or explode. I have also learned that our emotions are a lot like a pressurized water pipe. When water pipes burst in a ceiling or wall, they have the ability to damage the drywall, paint, insulation, and carpet. In other words, the pressurized pipe is not only hurting itself. In addition, if the growing pressure on this pipe was dealt with in time, and in a proper way, there would not be a problem. Likewise the individual, who does not deal with their emotions in a proper way, carries with them the ability to hurt others around them. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to deal with our emotions in a fast and proper way.
The Bible informs us that we can take control of our emotions, and thoughts and live a happy and healthy existence. The following are just a few practical psychological practices that the Bible promises will help us. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is enough to get anyone who is serious about living a healthy lifestyle started.
Confession:
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Proper thinking:
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
Proper behavior:
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].
All of Ruch’s applications for emotional maturity are valid steps that an individual can do in order to help them grow, mature, and become a well-balanced emotional individual who is not held hostage by their emotions. However, with a Christian psychological approach we have an extra edge on our emotions that the secular psychologist approach cannot offer. A brief contrast between a secular and Christian psychological approach will demonstrate this point.
In secular psychology the emphasis is towards self-worth and alleviating guilt by just about any means possible. These means could involve suppression, denial, and so on. In contrast with Christian psychology, the individual’s self-worth is found in Christ and the guilt is acknowledged, faced, and dealt with. This is a more productive and beneficial procedure for the individuals health and mental state. The individual is able face and feel his guilt as in comparison to suppression.
Unlike the healthy choices of facing guilt and moving forward from it; suppressing or avoidance can be most hazardous to the individual. In future events when an instance of guilt arises within the individual they will either run from it or shift the blame to someone else. This seriously handicaps the individual’s emotional and mental maturity level. In addition, those who the individual comes in contact with will never receive the benefits of a healthy, meaningful, mature relationship. This is usually because the individual keeps himself at a distant from others, and lives in fear that no one could ever love the “real them.”
In contrast the Christian, who has developed healthy habits of dealing with his emotions through an ongoing relationship with Christ, will not only grow in their own levels of maturity, but will also inspire and induce growth in the lives of others that they come in contact with.
Granted there will be times in the Christian and non-Christians life when their emotions will get the better of them and they will not be able to handle themselves in a mature manner. However, the Christian approach to psychology takes what we know about the word of God and applies it to our lives through our, actions this in turn has a major impact on our emotions; which in turn comes back around and positively affects our actions.
In recovery meetings they have a saying that will help the individual regardless of their religious background “fake it till you make it.” This saying lines up with a story in the Bible. The Gospel of Matthew tells about a vineyard owner with two sons. One said he would go work in his father’s field, however he did not. The other said he would not work however, later on he did (Matthew 21:28-32 ). The Bible shows that rather we feel like it or not, we are required at times to take action. These actions produce the positive requirements that have been placed on us. Also, the purpose of the recovery statement is to show that if we take actions eventually our feelings or emotions will line up with our actions.
Conclusion
Before pursuing my current endeavors, I functioned in the role of a handy man. I have completed home repairs on everything from flooring to roofing. In the course of my home repairs I have learned that if you do not turn off the pressure to a pressurized water pipe that is continually growing; it will eventually bust or explode. I have also learned that our emotions are a lot like a pressurized water pipe. When water pipes burst in a ceiling or wall, they have the ability to damage the drywall, paint, insulation, and carpet. In other words, the pressurized pipe is not only hurting itself. In addition, if the growing pressure on this pipe was dealt with in time, and in a proper way, there would not be a problem. Likewise the individual, who does not deal with their emotions in a proper way, carries with them the ability to hurt others around them. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to deal with our emotions in a fast and proper way.
The Bible informs us that we can take control of our emotions, and thoughts and live a happy and healthy existence. The following are just a few practical psychological practices that the Bible promises will help us. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is enough to get anyone who is serious about living a healthy lifestyle started.
- Confession: Confession does not dismiss or denial the inner problem. It is through acknowledgement that healing begins.
- Proper Thinking: You are what you eat! In other words; garbage in; garbage out.
- Proper Behavior:
Confession:
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Proper thinking:
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
Proper behavior:
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].