EMOTIONS

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 1:13

The activities of the human soul are expressed through the Mind, Will, and EMOTIONS. There are diverse kinds of emotions – positive and negative – such as: love, desire, hatred, passion, joy, hatred, and grief. Passion is an emotion: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psa. 42:1). Hatred, loathing, and despising are also emotions (Psa.107:18a). Joy is an infectious emotion: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God” (Isa. 61:10). Rejoicing is situated in the soul (Psa.86:4). So are bitterness (1Sam.1:10) and grief (1Sam.30:6; Job 32:25).

Emotions are God-given. God exudes emotions. On few occasions He grieved, was sorrowful and angry about His people’s sin (Gen.6:6-7). Jesus, God in the flesh, joined Mary and Martha in grieving over their brother Lazarus (Jh.11:28-44). “…He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” (v.33). He “wept” (v.38). “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb…” (v.38). Emotions are the core of the soul from which ecstatic excitement can erupt or tears can flow. You need not apologise for being emotional. Jesus knows your burdens and hurts. He cares about your cross and trials: “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1Pet.5:5). He cares for every soul that cries to Him: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt.11:28). God wipes tears from weeping eyes. He feels our pains (Heb.4:15).

Although there is a legitimate place for emotions, we cannot fully understand God by feelings. He never intended for us to be guided by our feelings. Ironically, this is the part of the soul that many people mistake for their spirit, because the spirit man also feels. The spirit man has spiritual ‘senses’ distinct from those of the soul and body. Some Christians confuse soulish feelings with the Spirit’s leading. Driven by feelings, they mistake this for being led by the Spirit. This is especially risky because many times, in following God, we may feel one way and actually be led in the opposite direction. Feelings come and go. We are to be guided by the eternal Word and be led by God’s Spirit. Your emotions are a gauge, not a guide.

The devil and demons find the emotion to be a ready entry gate to access the soul. It’s in this arena that we find ourselves getting upset, being angered, bitter, disgusted, depressed, moody or unforgiving. Our feelings if left unchecked can deceive or discourage us. They can try to rob us of our peace and joy in Christ by buffeting and accusing us of every evil thing possible. They can drain our confidence in the Lord. Quite often, such unsettling feelings are Satan’s messengers, intended to pull us down into despair and fear. You must resist and refuse to bulge when the enemy comes in like a flood, trying to drown you in depressing feelings and negativity. The emotional realm is also where the most severe scars of the soul are found; where the most grievous of human sorrow speak, move and cry for attention. Some people go through tremendous trauma and store up so much sorrow they become emotionally broken and handicapped.

You have a choice as to what emotions you allow to dominate your soul (Jam.1:19-20). Fill your mind with timeless truth to focus on despite changing circumstances. Learn to deal honestly with every uncomfortable emotion you feel; never ignore them. Give yourself a spiritual timeout with God when you notice your emotions spiralling out of control. Take care of your physical health, as it is connected to your emotional health. Jesus is still the Savior, Shepherd, and Healer of our souls: “He restores my soul” (Psa.23:3). When we get to heaven, there will be no more separation, sorrow or pain, and God will wipe away every tear (Rev.21:4). Meanwhile, “gird up the loins of your mind” (Jam.1:19a). Nurture your emotions by His grace!