Okay, so we know that we can’t command emotions such as telling a child to immediately stop being sad because they’ve just broken their brand-new toy.
No amount of commands from another is going to make the child happy at that moment.
And so it is if something far more serious occurs such as losing a job or losing a house or losing a family member to illness.
No amount of words from another can force us at that moment to be happy or even reasonably content.
Such feelings have to grow from within.
If this is the case, then why are believers seemingly commanded in scripture to display certain emotions such as in I Chronicles 22:13 when King David commanded his son Solomon to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
I understand how one may be commanded to be strong. We CAN exercise our bodies and minds to be tougher and more resilient.
But our emotions such as not being afraid or discouraged?
How can those abstract feelings be commanded as if a physical action of moving our mood flag from the sad side over to the happy side?
Here’s how I answer that question — King David had reminded his son Solomon that discretion and understanding was a gift from the Lord, that obedience to scripture was a gift TO the Lord and that success was assured for those who carefully observe the scriptures.
So when David said what he did to Solomon, it seems that he was directing/commanding his son to bear the fruit of submissive, learning faith.
It’s like a jobsite manager being ordered to be influential over his low-productivity subordinates. He can’t stand in the middle of the employee meeting and declare, “Okay, everybody, now I’m influential so work harder.”
Instead, he has to recognize that his job is a gift from the employer rather than an inalienable right.
He also has to communicate to subordinates that their job is a gift, not an entitlement.
He has to communicate that their collective workplace efforts are to be gifts to the employer who doesn’t have to keep them on the payroll.
And the manager has to communicate that success comes to those who comply with the employer’s expectations.
Because he is obedient in communicating these truths, his influence grows and hopefully his subordinates’ productivity.
So, we see, influence can be commanded because the manager has been given a clear roadmap for obtaining it. If he follows that map, he succeeds. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.
That’s why I believe David could legitimately command Solomon to be courageous rather than afraid.
David had given his son a clear roadmap to courage and it was up to Solomon to follow it.
If Solomon obeyed, he’d be courageous.
Here’s a passage that we’re commanded to obey that compels us to reject fear:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
These words from Paul weren’t suggestions. These were commands from the Holy Spirit given through Paul.
And look at the benefits of thinking the way that God commanded!
Wow…I welcome now more than ever the command found in Psalm 116:7.
“Be at rest once more, O my soul.”
I pray, too, that you will find rest in Him as you follow the roadmap to peace.
As always, I love you
Martin
