Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It

by Jennie Allen

in: Emotions are not the sin; it’s what we do with them that is the sin.

Joy often incites gratitude and worship. Anger can be a tool wielded against injustices. Regret is a reminder of our need for God’s forgiveness. Sadness makes us draw near to God for comfort. Fear can provide protection to help us discern right paths.

Control. We try our hardest to take charge of our situation or other people in the hopes of making everything a little more desirable, a little more manageable. Cope. We distract ourselves by turning to busyness or a favorite diversion for comfort. Conceal. We stuff down that feeling and attempt to cover

“I never once contemplated committing suicide, but I certainly came to understand why people do.”

the energy required to suppress emotion can make it difficult to be present with other people.[1]

if we would just express our authentic emotions instead of looking for a way out of that expression, we could potentially bypass the stress response altogether and just get on with our lives.

How can the emotional state of these men be so completely different a few years later? Because they walked with Him. They talked with Him. They served with Him. They learned from Him. They became like Him. They were filled by Him. And as that happened, day in and day out, over years, they trusted Him. And they went from people afraid to die in a boat with Him to people willing to lay down their lives because of Him. Because He cared for them. Just as He cares for you. Faith isn’t summoned; it grows. It grows because of a relationship, not your willpower.