Day 2

I think a great way to begin to learn how to be emotionally intelligent is by framing, naming, and taming your emotions. Today we’re going to talk about how to frame your emotions.

To frame your emotions is to be aware of what you’re feeling. You have to be honest with yourself about this first. No matter what emotional reaction you’re having, you need to put it into perspective. In other words: let your emotions subside, before you decide!

Let the water of your emotions stop boiling before you determine what the next step should be. You have to be in control of the decisions you make. That’s why I always say, NEVER MAKE A DECISION WHEN YOU’RE ANGRY, SAD, OR DEPRESSED. Wait.

Tell yourself: "You know what? I have to deal with my anger, my pride, my anxiety, my depression, my addictive tendencies." Whatever it is, God already forgave it all. And now it’s time for you to face it, too!

Don’t delude yourself. If you’re feeling hateful or revengeful, don’t cover it up and justify your emotions as somebody else’s fault. Frame it and claim it. See it as self-awareness—a huge and necessary step on the journey to emotional intelligence.

In Luke, we see that Jesus says to take the plank out of your own eye before worrying about the speck in your brother’s. In other words, emotional intelligence starts with self-honesty. Tell yourself, "I’m responsible for me and what I do and say. The decisions I make powerfully affect everything and everyone around me. So, I need to approach others with gentleness." And to do that, you have to remember that we’re all equal; we’re all the same.

We’re all made up of the same flesh and blood and with the same brain, though our DNA and fingerprints are uniquely ours. But we’re not different in our hearts. We have to practice both humility and gratitude—the two most important traits of being emotionally intelligent. Once you actively practice these, and know your connection to others deep within, you begin to step into emotional freedom.

Today, pray that God would help you to be aware of yourself and give you His help by learning how to FRAME your emotions!