Emotions are powerful. When left unchecked they can overpower our self-control; drive us to destructive actions; persuade us to make incorrect life decisions; or cause us to be swallowed up in despair. David was a passionate man with a tender heart that wanted to please God at all times. This was his strength; yet his soul (the seat of his thoughts, will and emotions) was constantly at war within him.
The flesh wants to dominate and dictate our reactions to every situation. David understood a key principle: to submit his soul to the Spirit of God. Every time that disappointment, fear, anger or other emotions wanted to run rampant within him, David spoke to his soul and told it to place its hope in the Lord! The book of Psalms is not the only time we see David strengthen himself in the Lord this way. 1 Samuel 30:6 gives an account of where fixing his thoughts and attention on the Lord pulled him out of deep despair and into a place of unprecedented victory.
When our emotions threaten to derail us, we can put a stop to their destructive force by drawing from the wealth of God’s Word that’s already inside us, and seeing our circumstances from a Godly perspective. Put your spirit man in the driving seat of your life by reminding your soul of the goodness of God, and His faithfulness to see you through any ordeal triumphantly.