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WHAT ARE YOUR EMOTIONS TELLING YOU?
IT IS OKAY NOT TO FEEL OKAY.
You do not need to pretend to be okay with God. You can shout out your pain and let the tears rain down, He will NEVER forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5), or change His love for you in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:38-39).
GOD CAN TAKE IT ALL.
God knows when we are overwhelmed, stressed out, distraught, brokenhearted, furious, depressed, or just done . . .
Would you prefer if your emotions just stopped? or that we had the ability to control / shut them down? Does toughen up sound familiar? Do you try to fix yourself or escape your emotions?
Keep your trust in this: God gave us the ability to feel emotions for an important reason: It is what makes us human and in the likeliness of God (Genesis 1:27). Our God experiences emotions like grief, pain, righteous anger, and rejection like us. Through the life of Jesus we see God suffer the same things as us, yet remain sinless, humble, and choose to love through all His struggles.
We are encouraged to use Jesus as our example (John 13:14-15).
Jesus knew the suffering and betrayal (even from His own disciples) He was about to endure (John 13:1-2, John 13:11, John 13:38). Jesus served in Love and showed humility by washing the very disciples feet that were about to betray and forsake him (John 13:5-15).
Being an emotional person is not shameful. Feel anger at injustice (Proverbs 17:15, Proverbs 6:17, Ephesians 4:26–27). Feel sadness that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-11). experience disappointment that ultimately leads you to connecting with God (Philippians 3:7-11). God promises this is all for good (Jeremiah 29:11)
As Jesus exemplifies in Matthew 26:36-46, express yourself to God and surrender.
Pay attention to your emotions and thoughts, let yourself feel them. Show your emotions to God and ask Him to help you understand and discern.
Will you let Jesus inside your heart?
God sees the pain you feel. His arms are around you and with each tear you shed, He is with you. With each wave of anger, He holds you. You are not broken into pieces that can never be fixed. You are not a hopeless case with no way out because Jesus is the way and our hope (John 14:6, Romans 15:13, 1 Peter 1:21)
You don’t have to be strong. God is your strength in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). You don’t need to have the answers. Peace comes with surrender and with faith knowing that you can be angry, feel despair, struggle and question, yet God will stand by you. Only God can help you see His bigger picture and Good plan.
Aggression
Anger
Discomfort
Envy
Fear
Insecurity
Invite God's Peace over your Spirit
Aggression is a response to stress, fear, or a sense of losing control. It can mean you are feeling frustrated, mistreated, or unheard. Our God, The God who sees your pain: El Roi, records your tears (Psalm 56:8). Leave Justice to Our God of Justice (Romans 12:17-19.)
Is your anger righteous (connected to God's Feelings) or unrighteous (based on flesh/trauma)?
Anger tells us someone crossed our boundary. E.g. Our space being invaded, our freedom restricted, or our feelings and perspective being invalidated. God says "Be angry but do not sin (Ephesians 4:26)."
How can you rely on God to be your rock/refuge in this situation?
Discomfort is a feeling of uneasiness and lack of safety, pushing us to become avoidant in situations. God's Word provides comfort in many ways, ask the Holy Spirit to help guide you to God's promises that speak on your situation e.g. Jeremiah 29:11, Joshua 1:9
How can I pause, reflect and ask God for what I truely want?
God's Goodness is available for everyone and there is enough for all of us in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19). Envy is often rooted in insecurity/fears e.g. fear of abandonment, being replaced, or judged/outcasted. It is okay to ask for what you want, God says to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6-7,Matthew 7:7). Remember like Jesus, submit to God's Will which only wants the best for you (Jeremiah 29:11).
How can I give my fear to God?
God promises to give us a sound mind, not a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Talk to God about your fears like you would to a loving father. God is in Control of everything, and God is always good (Psalms 145:9, Romans 8:28). He has plans to prosper us not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11)
What am I insecure about?
Remember who God says you are. God who knit you in the womb says you are wonderfully and fearfully made. We were all created through Jesus for Jesus (Colossians 1:16). He chose to give you the breath of life for a reason. Your body is God's Temple, it is sacred (I Corinthians 6:19-20).
HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS:
FAITH OVER FEAR <3
Surrender your emotions to Jesus. Thanks to Jesus, we have a companion to help us, and our prayers are heard (John 14:13-14; 16-18). Lament to God, El Roi sees you .
LET IT OUT TO GOD <3
Spend time with God until you are ready to respond to the situation. Allow God to heal your heart, He promises to comfort and strengthen you (Psalm 23:1–6).
SHOW YOURSELF GOD'S LOVE
Our God is patient, and He is patient with you (2 Peter 3:9). Do not fall into guilt for feeling a certain way. Keep coming to God. Like the prodigal son, God will lovingly open his arms to help you.
ALLOW GOD TO HEAL YOU
God promises to bind our broken hearts and wounds (Psalm 147:3). He records all our tears (Psalm 56:8). Your pain is safe with God, He promises to turn all things our for Good (Romans 8:28).
ANXIETY
Anxiety is the feeling that arises when we feel unsafe. Talk to God about your feelings (Philippians 4:6-7), let him help you believe and experience that God ONLY wants the best for you no matter what your situation has looked like in the past (Jeremiah 29:11)
GRIEF
The feeling that arises of losing something important or a loved one. God does not bring grief willingly (Lamentations 3:33). Our God is a God of hope (Romans 15:13). So keep praying to Jesus about how you feel, keep praying for everything for ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU (Philippians 4:13)!
RESENTMENT
The outcome of "bottling up" sadness and insecurity that has been held onto for long. God encourages us not to be resentful but Love everyone including our enemies (Matthew 5:43–44). In moments like these, we can open our hearts to Jesus and understand the forgiveness of our sins and others in Jesus Christ.
GUILT
The feelings that arise when you do something that violates yours or God's values. God keeps no records of wrong-doing . He does not keep us in guilt but asks us to be repentant and accept the forgiveness of our sin in Jesus Christ. God rebukes and chastens with love, guilt is not included but love. Remember, we all fall short of the glory of God, that is why God gave us Jesus to help and heal our hearts.
ANXIETY OR THE HOLY SPIRIT?
When we experience anxiety, God encourages us to pray and seek his help because he does not want us to live with a fearful mind. Read the following verses:
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2 Timothy 1:7
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Matthew 6:25-34
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Philippians 4:6-7
How do you know when the Holy Spirit is warning you or you are feeling anxiety?
THE HOLY SPIRIT
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Speaks according to Scripture, The Bible
Examples:
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The Holy Spirit says Look to Jesus for comfort in your storm (Matthew 8:23-27)
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Do not fear men but God (Deuteronomy 1:17, Deuteronomy 3:22, Philippians 1:28)
ANXIETY
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Based on fear/emotions instead of God's Word
Ask yourself...
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What do you feel anxious/fearful about?
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How can you give it to God?
COPING WITH ANGER
Definition (noun/verb): Anger is an emotion resulting after experiences of pain. If someone is angry, there will always be underlying, hidden emotions that has not been addressed. Explore the uncomfortable feelings behind the anger that is not being dealt with directly.
1. IDENTIFY THE SIGNS OF WHEN YOU FEEL ANGRY
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Your heart might beat faster or your breath might feel uncontrollable. If you notice these signs, go to God in a safe/quiet area and talk to Him. God promises to guard your mind and heart in Christ (Philippians 4:7).
2. TAKE TIME TO STEP AWAY WITH GOD
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Before you react, take time apart and seek guidance from God and His Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to act with love and show the fruits of His Spirit: Kindness, Gentleness and Love (Ephesians 5:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23).
3. TRY BIBLICAL ACTIVITIES TO CALM THE FEELING
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God speaks through The Bible; It is the best prescription for our heavy emotions. God says "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-30). Try watch a sermon, read Psalms or journal to God.
4. TALK ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL TO GOD
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Like Job, it is ok to let your anger out to God. Be angry but do not sin (Ephesians 4:26). Let it out to God but avoid slandering/gossiping. Pray humbly for forgiveness and love over you and all involved. Look to how Jesus handled being mocked, persecuted and hurt: He was reviled but never reviled in return (I Peter 2:23-25). Jesus never repaid evil with evil and encourages us to follow His example (1 Peter 3:9).
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God tells us to forgive as we are forgiven for our trespasses even if that means several times (Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:21-22).
John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
EMOTIONS BEHIND ANGER
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Embarrassment
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Fear
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Anxiety
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Helplessness
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Shame
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Guilt
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Frustrated
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Betrayed
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Regret
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Discomfort
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Insecurity
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Hurt
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Unloved
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Envious
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Worthless
GOD'S GRACE SHINES IN OUR WEAKNESS
'For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.' - 2 Corinthians 13:4
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10