For many, emotions overpower rationality. They are swayed by the whims of their feelings, believing they think logically while being driven by emotions. Ideas change with mood swings, leading them to navigate life based on feelings rather than thoughtful consideration. People don’t think, they try to feel their way through life. You shouldn’t fool yourself into thinking you’re any different. You are not. Like everyone else, you are relying on your ability to feel, suspect and perceive your way through life. This is potentially dangerous unless your intuition and subconscious mind (also known as your spirit) have been trained.
In your pursuit of productivity and might, controlling your emotions is important. Proverbs 16:32 teaches that the one that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city. When emotions are controlled, rationality triumphs, resulting in greater effectiveness. Consider how poorly your emotions have served you in your life. Everything you’ve ever bought on impulse, things you didn’t need but felt good about at the time. Consider how many mistakes could have been avoided if the options that felt good at the time were actually good.
You must train your intuition (spirit) so that when your feelings lead you (which they will), they do not mislead you. It is unrealistic to expect you to be able to think through every scenario and decision every time. Even after considering all factors, you will always make a decision based on how you feel about something. Training your spirit enables you to control your reactions, allowing you to make sound choices and maintain inner peace. The simplest way to begin the task of training the spirit is to cultivate a prayer and meditation discipline (Joshua 1:8, Romans 12:1-2). You will reap the benefits over time.