The Miracle of Emotions
I am sitting in the midst of different emotions right now! I am writing this from a little café and directly in front of me is a married couple who seem to be experiencing deep levels of frustration. Across the street, are some political protestors who are most definitely feeling anger! A lady and her dog walked by and her smile communicated her joy! A young college couple walked by, hand in hand, and I could feel the love they had one for another.
Emotions are a miraculous gift from God. As we are made in God’s image, it means that God has blessed us with the same emotional makeup that He displays as well. God is the author of all our emotions, and He wants us to use them powerfully and in a godly, responsible way. The ability to “feel” is such an amazing gift.
Listen to the heart of God describe His own emotions from the Word of God:
“The One enthroned in the Heavens laughs...” (Psalm 2:4, NIV)
“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”. (Matthew 9:36, NIV)
“I (Jesus) have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12, NIV)
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11, NASB).
“The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors...” (Deuteronomy 30:9, NIV)
I love these beautiful words. Our God laughs, embraces compassion, pours out love, embodies love and peace and delights in US! Our God feels in the same way that we do!
Over the next few days, I want to encourage you to feel the depth of God's love, to experience the joy of God over you, and to even thank God for the deep emotions of grief and sorrow.
friend, God knows exactly what you are feeling right now. He knows the depths of your pain AND the height of your joy. God knows the areas in which you feel unsatisfied and those areas where you are experiencing profound contentment. God knows, God cares, and God will meet you in every moment of your journey.
I have been writing furiously for the past minutes, and as I look up again, here is what I notice: The protestors and their anger is gone. The married couple has resolved their issue, and are smiling while holding hands. The lady and her dog just passed by, now going in the opposite direction, and it looks like the dog is smiling (ok, he may be panting but it looks like a smile😊). Lastly, the college couple came into the café and introduced themselves as new attendees of the church where I pastor, and asked if they could pray for me! What a joy!!
friend, take a moment and ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?” No matter the answer, the God who also “feels” is with you and for you!
I can’t wait to see what God does next!!
One more thing before I go... You are a miracle!
