How To Achieve Self-Control Through Emotional Intelligence


"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. " Galatians 5:22 (the italicized is mine) 

Self-control is restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires. It is the ability to control one's own desires or impulses.

 I once had an employee who was highly intelligent but had little emotional intelligence. He was unable to control his emotions or reactions especially under stress.  He often made critical decisions for the project team that was based more on his emotions than what was best for the team.  Unfortunately, I had to put him on a performance plan. That plan required him to take the Emotional Intelligence course that was based on Daniel Goleman's book  "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (New York: Bantam Books, 2005)".  80 percent of vocational success is related to emotional intelligence. Only, 20 percent success is related to IQ.  People have been fired due to their inability to be emotional intelligent. Two of the foundation skills (emotional balance and self-awareness) are key to you developing the fruit of self-control. 

Self-control is evidence of you having the Spirit of God working in your life. Emotional Intelligence is the evidence that you have self-control. Self-control will bring you emotional balance and patience.  Having control of your emotions means you are not easily offended, you think before you speak, consider the facts instead of the opinions and you are mindful of the people around you. The person on my team I trusted to run my meetings was the person who had the facts and control of the room.

I find that throughout Scripture our Lord chooses those He can trust. Phoebe was a first century Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:1-2. A notable woman in the church of Cenchrae, she was trusted to deliver his letter to the Romans. Paul introduces her to the church in Rome and because they are not acquainted with her, and he provides them with her credentials.  There is no doubt in my mind that if Phoebe had not been a woman who demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit, especially self-control; she would never have had the opportunity to deliver Paul's letter to Rome. The book we read today!  

Daily, make every effort to be emotionally balance, control what you say and do. You will see Heavenly blessings coming into your life.  

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,
You gave me emotions and you told me they are good. However, I know that you created order in the universe and Satan created chaos. Emotions that are out of controls are chaotic and not of you. Help me to have order in my soul and spirit. Bring balance to my life.  Please give me the strength to be rational in my thoughts and mindful of those around me. I want my life to be a reflection of you. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen. 

Blessings,
Pastor Patricia 


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