Emotions: Good and Bad
God gave us emotions as part of being human.
Our emotions can help us understand our hearts, comprehend our situation, and lead us to words and actions that please God.
At the same time, our emotions have been corrupted by sin. Our emotions can yank us around, trap us in dark spots, lead to faulty thinking, and result in sin.
Our life-long challenge is to corral our emotions by the word of God, bringing our emotions more and more in line with the truth, God’s truth. The task is to sanctify our emotions.
Emotions arise from thinking, so our minds must be renewed.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind … (Romans 12:2)
Do not be afraid (feeling), He has risen (fact). (Matthew 28:5-6)
Take courage, it is I (fact); do not be afraid (feeling). (Matthew 14:27)
Do not be afraid any longer (feeling), only believe. (Mark 5:36, Luke 8:50)
My soul is bowed down (feeling). But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope (perspective). (Lamentations 3:20-24)
There are two major activities to sanctify our emotions:
First, deliberately learn the Bible and obey what God says. The key to controlling our emotions is to fill our minds with God’s truth. Feed the mind and the emotions will follow.
Second, systematically observe and question your emotions, and challenge the emotions that do not align with God’s word.
The Psalms are a good instructor. Here the Psalmist identifies his emotions, asks why, and moves to the reality of God.
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. (Psalm 42:5)
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Father, help us learn and obey Your word. We know that You made us and that Your way is best. Help us bring our emotions into conformance with Your truth. We want to please You.
