By Gareth Fraser

What is emotional maturity? Few know the answer. However, it is one of the secrets to abundant, lasting happiness.

Does your school offer a course in “emotional maturity?” It does not. So who teaches it? Where can the keys to emotional maturity be found?

STOP: First, let’s check your emotional responses, to know whether you have emotional maturity and stability. There are three general categories that people thoughtlessly fall into:

1. The Loose Cannon

Emotionally extreme. These people act much like a baby emotionally. The thought never occurs to them to place any control over their emotions. They become highly emotional over petty things. They wear their feelings on their shirt sleeves. Their tempers fly uncontrolled. They gossip. They slander. They exaggerate their compliments and their praise of others.

2. The Cyborg

This is the other extreme, often found in those of “higher” education or miseducation. These people kill their emotions. They don’t feel deeply about anything. They lack gratitude, sympathy and compassion.

3. The Dead Fish

Indifferent emotions. These people are simply listless. They have no real ambition. No spark or zeal. Nothing can get them excited. They are like dead fish floating downstream. They lack a radiant personality and generate no noticeable emotional response.

What About You?

Do you fit any of the descriptions listed above? If so, you’re emotionally immature!

You need emotional maturity! Where do you go to find the keys to emotional maturity? You’ll find them in the pages of God’s textbook—the Bible. Through His Word, God will teach you how to feel deeply and intelligently—to use your emotions maturely, not to kill them or let them run rampant and uncontrolled.

Jesus Christ, at 33 years of age, was the most emotionally developed human being who ever lived. He focused His mind on the positive. He had genuine joy (John 15:11). And while He always controlled His thoughts and emotions, He also had deep compassion (Matthew 15:32); He cried on occasion (John 11:35); He never gave way to violent outbursts of uncontrolled emotion, but He did show anger at the right time and at the right things (Matthew 21:12). Jesus was physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally mature.

The one true way to become emotionally mature is to follow Jesus Christ’s example. Strive daily to live the way Christ lived—the happy, balanced, abundant life.

This website is an important part in your development of complete maturity. Study it and set the goal of living the principles covered in each and every article. Start now to develop true emotional maturity.