Emotional Storm or Spiritual Battle? Time to Rise with Discernment
© 2025 Kelsey Carter. All rights reserved.
We’ve all been there—tired, overwhelmed, unmotivated, and emotionally scattered. The temptation is to call it spiritual warfare and brace for impact. But what if the battle isn’t coming at you—what if it’s coming from you?
Many women are crying out for breakthrough while handing over the reins of their heart to emotional chaos. The enemy doesn’t have to launch a full-scale assault when we’re already spiraling from our own unchecked feelings. Emotional instability isn’t always a sign of demonic attack—it might just mean your soul needs leadership.
This isn’t about suppression. It’s about stewardship. And it’s time to rise and lead.
The Emotional Culture We Live In
We live in a culture that crowns emotions as king. “If I feel it, it must be true!” It is so prevalent and extreme that even children are allowed to make life-altering decisions based on a chemical reaction in the brain, their interpretation of significance and meaning. We eat emotionally, spend emotionally, speak emotionally. We work emotionally—whether as the workaholic driven by fear or the procrastinator paralyzed by overwhelm. Then we raise the battle cry and claim, “I’m under such spiritual attack today!”
When the Enemy Doesn’t Have to Work That Hard
Many people have an inflated sense of how hard the enemy has to work to keep them down. The reality is he doesn’t have to do much if we are doing it to ourselves. He doesn’t have to yell very loud or even interfere with our daily life if we are our own undoing through a lack of emotional maturity and discernment. When we don’t pause to process our feelings through the lens of truth—God’s truth—we risk being led by emotion instead of led by the Spirit. Emotional awareness isn't weakness; it’s wisdom. And emotional self-leadership is part of stewarding the heart God entrusted to us.
Are You on Offense or Defense?
So I ask you this question: Are you on the emotional offense or defense? Is your day spent trying to undo the effects of depressive, defeatist, and destructive feelings about yourself, your situations, or your life? Or are you intentionally taking your thoughts captive, inviting the Holy Spirit into your emotional world, and anchoring your heart in truth before the lies ever take root?
Because emotions aren’t enemies—but they do need a leader. And that leader is you, walking in step with the One who made your heart in the first place.
Spirit Over Soul: The Right Order
Emotions are a part of being human. They have a place at the table, but they should not be at the head. Of our three parts, our body and our mind should be in submission to our spirit. Because our emotions often follow our thoughts, a powerful, victorious life begins with a renewed, guarded, and well-armed mind that is anchored in truth and led by our spirit that is seated with Christ in heavenly places.
Where the Battle Really Begins
Scripture tells us to “take every thought captive,” because when we do that, we stop the emotional wave-riding of unchecked emotions. Our thoughts and our emotions are closely linked, and in this world of trusting every emotion and “truth is relative” doctrine, it is imperative that we learn the skill of leading our emotions before they lead us. This is where spiritual warfare begins. This is where we can begin our day on the offensive, taking ground, rather than defensive, trying to get back what has been stolen.
Clearing the Fog: How Thoughts and Emotions Work Together
Let’s clear the fog on how thoughts and emotions actually work together—and why it matters.
1. Thoughts and Emotions Are Closely Connected—But Not the Same
Thoughts are mental narratives, beliefs, interpretations, or assumptions.
Emotions are bodily and psychological responses to those thoughts, memories, experiences, or even physical states.
While thoughts are more easily accessed and analyzed (which is why Scripture emphasizes taking thoughts captive), emotions often emerge as signals—revealing something deeper happening in the soul.
2. The Usual Direction: Thoughts Shape Emotions
Most often, your thoughts inform your emotions:
If you believe “I’m not good enough,” you’ll likely feel shame or inadequacy.
If you rehearse “This will never change,” hopelessness grows.
If you meditate on “God is with me,” peace and courage follow.
This is why Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewed thoughts eventually produce healthier emotional responses.
3. Sometimes It Reverses: Emotions Shape Thoughts
When we’re emotionally flooded—especially by past trauma, anxiety, or overwhelm—our feelings can hijack our thinking:
A body flooded with fear begins to expect danger.
A heart buried in grief may start telling the mind that hope is pointless.
Unprocessed emotions create subconscious narratives.
So even when you “know” truth intellectually, your emotions may block you from feeling or living it.
The Bridge Between Them: Intentional Emotional Processing
The key is this: emotions are not meant to be taken captive—only thoughts are.
But emotions must be acknowledged, felt, and surrendered—not stuffed, ignored, or obeyed blindly.
A 5-Step Process to Lead Your Emotions with the Spirit
1. RECOGNIZE
What am I feeling? Where do I feel it in my body?
Use emotional vocabulary (sad, scared, rejected, powerless).
Avoid judgment—emotions are indicators, not moral failures.
2. REFLECT
What story or belief is connected to this feeling?
What am I believing about myself, others, or God?
Is this belief rooted in truth or fear?
3. REVEAL TO GOD
God, this is what I’m feeling and believing…
Invite the Holy Spirit into the place of pain or confusion.
Be honest, raw, and real—He can handle it.
4. REPLACE
What does God’s Word say? What does truth sound like here?
Replace lies or faulty narratives with Scripture and Spirit-led truth.
Speak truth out loud, write it down, meditate on it.
5. RESPOND
Now that I’ve processed and aligned, what’s one healthy step I can take?
Journal, confess, ask for prayer, take a walk, rest, worship, talk to someone.
Spiritual Truth: Emotions Can’t Be Taken Captive, But They Can Be Healed
The Bible tells us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and renew our minds.
The heart needs care and honesty.
The mind needs truth and alignment.
Conclusion: Take the Lead in Your Emotional Life
Emotions aren’t the enemy—they’re signals, messengers, and part of your God-given design. But when they’re left unmanaged, they can lead to chaos disguised as spiritual warfare. The real breakthrough begins when you choose to lead your heart with truth, invite the Holy Spirit into your emotional world, and take every thought captive.
You have the power—and the responsibility—to steward your emotions well. Step into that leadership today, and watch how peace and freedom begin to take root.
Ready to take the next step?
Start by practicing the 5-step emotional leadership process outlined here. Journal your feelings, reflect on what’s true, and invite God into your emotional space. If you’re craving more guidance or you uncover an area that needs deep and lasting healing, you can book a inner healing session with Daugther Rise and finally get that freedom you’re craving!
