If you ask any person on the street about their IQ, you’ll probably get a thoughtful look as he or she tries to remember what someone in their school days may have told them about their IQ, their intelligence quotient. If you ask the same person about their EI or EQ, chances are you’ll get a blank "say what" stare.
A Darling Psychology Concept
Emotional Intelligence (EI), also known as Emotional Quotient (EQ), has been one of the darling concepts in the popular psychology community since Daniel Goleman published a book by that name. However, despite the concept's popularity in the popular press, the scientific community has been critical of its validity, questioning the scientific basis for all the claims regarding its usefulness in explaining positive outcomes in social interactions and relationships.
Become better at controlling all your emotions.
In recent years, there has been a growing body of thinking and evidence regarding the lasting neurological effects of emotions and the role they play in how we think. Without "getting into the weeds," as the saying goes, regarding the scientific validity of the connection between thinking and emotions, there are ways knowing how to recognize your emotions and those of others, that can help you in your personal growth, professional advancement, and being more effective in your Christian walk.
Help Processing Information
When you interact with others, the ability to immediately recognize the other person's emotions is an important part of processing information about the person and how to react to them. As you become more aware of your own emotions and your ability to perceive those of others, you can manage the interaction using emotions, even negative ones, to achieve your goals. You can also become better at controlling your emotions, especially disruptive emotions, as you react to others and circumstances.
Beneficial for Children and Adults
Being more aware of your own emotions and your ability to perceive those of other's can be beneficial for both children and adults. This awareness will help you have positive social interactions and relationships. The ability to know your emotions and manage them is also correlated with higher personal satisfaction, personal security, and how others perceive you as more pleasant, more agreeable, more empathetic.
In conclusion, all of the above benefits of controlling your emotions and reacting appropriately to those of others can be a significant help in your Christian walk as you witness to others through your words and actions.
Additional reading:
Listen to God’s Words
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. (Proverbs 12:16)
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Also read: Proverbs 25:28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Galatians 5:22-23
In the Words of Others
“Take control of your consistent emotions and begin to consciously and deliberately reshape your daily experience of us.” Tony Robbins
“One ought to hold on to one's heart; for if one lets it go, one soon loses control of the head too.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Think About It
Rate yourself 1-10 on how good you are in recognizing your own emotions in social interactions and relationships. Why?
Rate yourself 1-10 on how well you appropriately respond to others’ emotions, especially in challenging situations. Why?
Cite instances when your ability to recognize another’s emotions helped you in your Christian walk.
