The Ups and Downs

"Jesus wept."  John 11:35

Do you feel like you have been on an emotional roller coaster the past several months?

While we are all going through our own unique situations during this time we are also each responding differently emotionally. It has amazed me the gamut of emotions I can go through in just one day! Does that mean I am not a “strong Christian” or my faith is not strong enough? The answer for me and for you is, no.

Hear this, none of what you are feeling is wrong. God created us with emotions. We use our emotions to connect with God and those around us. When Jesus was here on earth He felt emotions. There are many passages in scripture that give us a picture of the emotions Jesus was feeling such as, joy, compassion, sadness, happiness, frustration (Matt. 17:17-20) and even anger (Matt.23:33). The list goes on.

As new creations in Christ, our emotions no longer have to control us, tell us who we are or how to react.  God designed our feelings to let us know what is going on in our hearts and give us clues as to what we believe.  We tend to accept and flow with the positive emotions. However, sometimes as “good” Christians we try to suppress or deny the negative ones because we think we should not feel that way. That’s simply not true.  God can use everything, even the way we feel, to bring us closer to Him.

What if we allowed ourselves to feel our emotions and see them as opportunities for growth?  If we choose to recognize the negative emotions, trace them to what caused us to feel that way and take it to God in prayer, He will meet us there. When we can be honest about the way we are feeling, healing can take place.  God desires for us to experience his love and peace.  That only comes as we receive his healing and freedom.  Are you ready to receive it?

Dear friend, be blessed to allow yourself to feel the emotions God has placed in you. Take them to Him and receive the healing He has for you. He does not want you to feel stuck in a negative place. He wants to restore you to living in the peace and joy He has for you.  May you receive it today.

Monica Brunn
May 14, 2020