Embracing Emotions

Embracing Emotions

[Jesus] looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

Mark 3:5

SOME CHRISTIANS are critical of emotions. Have you ever heard a statement like this? “Don’t trust your emotions. Faith, not feelings, is the road to spiritual growth.” Why do we so disapprove of our emotions? In Mark 3 we read that Jesus felt anger and sorrow—and for good reason. It was the Sabbath, and when Jesus was in the synagogue, he noticed a man with a shriveled hand. He was compassionate and healed the man, but all the watching Pharisees could think about was that Jesus had broken their Sabbath laws. Jesus’ anger and sorrow over their reaction was entirely appropriate and reflected the Father’s own heart. Few of us would condemn Jesus for having those emotions. So why do we condemn ourselves?

God gave us emotions for growth, maturity, fulfillment, and enjoyment. Feelings were made to be our friends, and they can serve as important signals. When we experience a negative emotion, it tells us that something needs attention. Think of it like the dashboard light that appears when your car needs oil. We don’t curse the light; we address the problem it’s alerting us to. Why not do the same with your emotions? When you experience a negative emotion, especially regarding your spouse, stop for a moment and figure out the real problem. If you take constructive action, the emotion will have served its purpose.

Lord, thank you for emotions. You have made us in your image as emotional beings. Help me to look at my feelings as a gift. Please give me the wisdom to see the problem behind the emotion and deal with it before my strong feelings hurt my spouse.

Emotions