Thursday June 9, 2022.

Topic: Emotional Development

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 15:10-18.

Exposition:

Emotional Development involves learning what feelings and emotions are, understanding how and why they occur, recognising one’s feelings and those of others and developing effective ways to manage them.

Rajeev Peshawaria suggests that there are three stages of emotional development, namely; the dependence stage, the interdependence stage and the independence stage. As their names suggest, the dependent stage is the basic developmental stage where one’s emotional state is basically built on what the surrounding environment suggests. This is typical in kids who seek affirmation from the teachers, parents, adults and the environment.

Most people grow to the interdependence stage, where there is a balance in the emotional feed between one’s own state of mind and what others also consider or think about the person. Rajeev suggests that most people do not make it to the independence stage, where one’s emotions are entirely based on how they have grown to perceive or view things. At this stage, there seems to be apparently zero external influence on the emotions of the people.

It is impossible to achieve the independent stage of emotional development. In fact, as believers we must seek to build an interdependent emotional stability which is not influenced by other people’s thoughts and opinions but on God’s word and His promises. Emotional development for believers would require that we impose full trust in God’s word. The Word of God will train our hearts and emotions to react in difficulty and challenges. Some things to look out for in order to build emotional stability include; having a healthy environment, learning to pause, knowing your limits, and setting realistic goals amongst others.

A healthy environment will condition a right emotional state, pausing to consider actions will avert danger, knowing your limits will keep you emotionally safe and, finally, setting realistic goals will avert disappointments. Emotional development brings stability. We are able to act accordingly and avoid strife and chaos. The writer of proverbs commended the man who is slow to anger because he will quiet contentions in life.

Prayer Guide: May we grow in our emotional intelligence to

understand ourselves and others.

Memory Verse For This Week:

Luke 2:52 (ESV) – “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.”