Emotions Are Not Your Enemy

I often take sabbaticals from social media. When I go on there, it never fails that after a while, my heart is saddened by seeing all the things that I do not have. I am reminded of my lack instead of my plenty. One viewing can turn my heart to discouragement. Discouragement can take the hope that you have and crush it.

Emotions are not your enemy. Emotions are healthy indicators of a change that is needed. When we look to the gospels, Christ never shies away from emotion. We see Him model various emotions, including anger and sadness. He shows us that emotions are appropriate in the right context.

The context of those emotions is important. Emotions should visit like a friend stopping by. When you greet emotions at the door, instead of rushing them in and hiding them in a back room, welcome them, and sit together for a while. Listen to what they have to tell you. They are there to give you a message.

Once they haven give you that message, you can respond back and forth to each other. It is a dialogue of understanding of what they are trying to tell you and what needs to be done. After that internal discussion, you can take them back to the door. Wave goodbye to that visiting emotion. It will be back another day to talk with you and help you with another situation. Find comfort in this instrument that God has given you to walk through discouragement.