Swept Away by Emotions

by Terri Webster

I can't always trust my emotions.

I have positive emotions and negative ones. Sometimes my emotions plunge me into a pool of tears, only to yank me out into a dry place where I feel nothing. They change as quickly as circumstances can change. 

Emotion is a natural, instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others (Google online dictionary).

The other morning distant thunder roused me from sleep. My husband had left at pre-dawn for a white-water rafting trip, and I’d fallen back asleep.

The thunder was oddly constant, without the usual breaks and pauses.

I thought Doc, our 85-pound dog, will be freaking out and “pawing” the window to come in. I threw off the covers, slid into my flip flops and brushed my teeth, all while constant, rolling thunder grew louder.

When I opened the front door and walked out on the porch, ominous clouds swirled above, illuminated with lightning. I was awed enough to quickly snap a picture with my phone. Then a burst of wind and a clap of thunder caused Doc and me to hurry inside and close the door.

Heavy rain poured down in straight sheets, then was blown sideways. The wind howled around the house, while thunder constantly rolled. The electricity flashed off and on in unison with lightning.

Finally, after two hours, the rain let up and wind quit blowing. The lightning and thunder lingered, until finally it all stopped. 

And just like that, it was calm and serene. The clouds were pushed aside by a calm breeze, revealing blue sky.

Isn’t this how our emotions are at times? They sweep over us with barely a warning, then abruptly change with our circumstances.

In the past I've allowed my feelings and emotions to be a determining factor in decision making.

Not smart!

The tiniest thing can flip on my emotional switch. If I'm not careful, before I know it, I’m swept out of control down a river of emotions.

Why does your heart carry you away allowing you to 

be controlled by emotion? And why do your eyes flash 

in anger or contempt? Job 15:12

Why do we gauge the truth with our emotions and feelings?  

Why did God create us with such a powerful character trait?

Why can’t I trust something that’s largely a part of who I am?

To answer these questions, the only reliable and unchanging source is God’s word; alive, active, and powerful.

It’s only when I move the situation under the light of God’s word that I find the real truth. Then I feel silly for feeling the way I did and allowing my emotions to carry me away.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

When I find myself in a negative emotional whirlwind, I realize I can’t solely rely on them to reveal truth. 

Here are three reminders I use to avoid being swept away by changing emotions and feelings, that I hope will encourage and help you too.

• Realize we’re made in God’s image. All throughout scripture we see that God has emotions and feels deeply. He was so moved with compassion that He gave His very son, so we could have an eternal, intimate relationship with Him, through Jesus’ atoning blood. All emotions aren't bad, but it's always safe to shine His truths on them.

• Negative emotions are based on past hurts and mistakes. Where God has already brought emotional healing and forgiveness, the devil’s scheme is to stir up our past to derail us and get us off course.

• Remember, it’s not all about you and me. If someone doesn’t respond the way we expect or want, stop and think that they have circumstances you’re unaware of. When we take ourselves out of the center and put Christ there, our perspective changes quickly. 

• Lastly, sometimes it's just plain 'ol hormones and exhaustion that plays a part in changing emotions and feelings. Make sure you consistently nourish your body and soul so these times won't be as severe. 

Finally, may you always enjoy God's peace in any storm as promised here in Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Staying the course,

Terri

Our Emotions Can Lie to Us

Who of you out there has ever allowed your emotions to dictate what direction you should go?

Can you envision me raising my hand and nodding?

Many times I’ve allowed my emotions to dictate my reality, leading me down a path of misery.

Too often my emotions can be my enemy.  

God created women with unique and special complexities, and one of them is our emotions.

What we do with our emotions not only affects us mentally, spiritually and physically, but causes a ripple effect to everyone around us, either for good or for bad.

Our emotions are an outflow from our heart and soul, which are controlled by our thoughts. They’re so intertwined, you can’t divide or separate them. One can’t act apart from the other and they all affect our body and health.

The world loudly proclaims, FOLLOW YOUR HEART!

That’s fine if our heart’s throne is occupied by the One True God, who created us and goes to unfathomable lengths to have an intimate relationship with us.

But when we’re propped up on that throne in our heart, donning a tiara, thinking we’re in control, and embracing secret thoughts, is when we’re in danger of whacky emotions leading us astray.

God already knows:

You know when I sit and when I rise; 
You perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; 
you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely.  Psalm 139:2-4 (NIV)

I learned at a young age how to stuff my emotions. As an adult I rarely showed much emotion about anything, and half the time didn’t know how I felt.

Now that I’m older and smack in the middle of menopause, it seems all those emotions I stuffed way back when, want to force their way out.

What’s a girl to do? How can I ensure that the emotions flowing from my heart aren’t dictating a self-destructive path?

The best answer I have is this:

Return to the same place every morning, sitting at the feet of Jesus, as I’ve been sharing over the past several weeks, and as Sande Oliver shared last week in her beautiful depiction of Mary of Bethany.

I never stop asking God to pour His desires in my heart and remove those that aren’t from Him.

I do this because I know I can’t always trust my heart and the emotions that flow from it.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts –

murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft,

false testimony, slander. Matthew 15:19

If I want to follow my heart, I must make sure, beyond any doubt, that it’s God’s desires I’m following.

This can be difficult when you’re consumed with overwhelming emotions. The whirlwind seems to be the controlling force. You may feel you’re teetering on the edge of an unknown abyss and all it would take is one puff of air to send you over. It’s at this juncture that there’s one decision to make and only one.

Look up! 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:-2

~

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens; Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls

forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

And…

…trust He won’t let your foot slip. (Psalm 121:3)

When the storm calms…

When your fuzzy perspective becomes focused through God’s lens…

                                                      

When your next decision isn’t based on the ebb and flow of your emotions…

When you know that the Lord watches over you, and is your shade; He won’t let the sun harm you (Psalm 121:5-6)…

And you know the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8)…

Then you will have peace, joy and comfort as you make your decision(s) knowing He’s leading you in the right direction.

Who of you out there wants, peace, joy and comfort?

Me too!

I invite you to share in the comments below or send a private email via the form on the right of this page how your emotions have gotten the best of you when facing decisions.

Until next week…

Be encouraged and stay the course.

Terri