Emotions…!

How often are we anxious, sad, angry, or depressed and think we shouldn’t, aren’t allowed to or don’t want to feel this way?

Have you ever rejected your own emotions?
I don’t want to feel this fear.
I’m not allowed to be angry.
I should finally let go of this sadness.
I don’t want to be so depressed.

Such emotions are also found in the Psalms:

Why am I so sad? Why is my heart so heavy? Psalm 42:12a
…my soul refuses to be comforted. Psalm 77:3b
No one helps me; no one cares what becomes of me. Psalm 142:5

Even though emotions are normal and have always been a part of being human, negative emotions are still unpleasant for us, and we’d like to push them aside. Pushing them aside, however, isn’t healthy—and it doesn’t work in the long run!

Our emotions are the fruit of our thoughts! There’s a direct connection between them.
Our emotions reveal how we think—and we can examine whether they align with God’s Word.

Negative emotions aren’t bad or wrong—on the contrary: we have them so that we can take a closer look and investigate where they come from! Emotions are a “pointer”; they’re like a signpost: they show us what we think about God, about ourselves, and about the world. (Thoughts, thought patterns and conditioning, our worldview, our attitude, our faith)

Here’s an example: An colleague stops by your desk and tells you that the boss wants to see you in their office in half an hour.
 What do you think? Oh no, what did I do wrong? Did I mess something up? I’m not competent or capable enough for this job…
Or: The boss is totally incompetent, and they’re always so unfriendly to their employees! I have to protect myself from them!
Or do you think: Yes, wonderful—they’re surely going to praise me; I’ve done a good job!

Another example: Your partner is a bit harsh before leaving the house for an appointment.
Do you think: I’m just not lovable; they don’t care about me; they don’t love me anymore.
Or: What’s wrong with them again? Are they mad at me? They’re always so critical; they’re being unfair to me!
Or do you think: They’re just so busy right now; I’ll pray for them and bless them.

In both examples, I can have different feelings. Even the thought that I could feel differently is astonishing in that moment. But what I feel reveals my view of myself, the world, and God!

My view of myself: Do I see myself negatively—as worthless, not good enough? 

God’s truth: His view is different! The Bible tells me that I am wonderfully made!

My view of other people: Are others evil and do they have bad motives? Do you see people in a negative light?
God’s truth: Other people are wonderfully made too! He loves them as much as he loves you. Jesus even died for those who rejected and betrayed him! And he calls on us, too, to love our enemies.

Is my view of God negative? Then I’m projecting human experiences onto God, because God is love.

We don’t need to change our emotions; rather, they are there to point us to thoughts that we can and should change! We are called to change every thought that does not submit to God’s truths!

We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.
2. Corinthians 10:5b

Thoughts can be changed by reading and proclaiming the truths in the Bible, praying about them, listening to God, meditating on and digesting his truths until they are firmly anchored in our hearts.
So don’t fight your feelings—instead, recognize and change the thought patterns behind them! And as you do, your feelings will change!

By the way, the psalmists usually do exactly the same thing…

I reflect on your deeds, O LORD; I meditate on your wonders of long ago. I recount what you have done; I ponder them over and over again.
Psalm 77:12–13