WHY EMOTIONS?

  • September 17th, 2010 | Johnny Bragg | No Comments |

    As we have been working through our series LOL, several have wondered Why do we even have emotions? Why do we have to live with the ups and downs of our feelings. Crying in movies. Laughing at inappropriate times. Feeling angry at others. Whether we are wired to show our emotions easily or we keep them fairly quiet, we all feel them. Let me share with you three insights I believe will help you live with your emotions.

    1. Your emotions are GOD-GIVEN. They are His idea. We were not hard-wired to handle life in a fallen world. When life gets to be too much (good or bad!), we release emotion. Like the pressure release valve in your hot water heater, you let out what you are feeling. Overwhelmed at work? You may come home and cry, go to the gym and box, or play your music loud. This release of emotion helps you dissipate the feelings. See a friend harmlessly trip and stumble? Yeah, it’s funny and we laugh. God gave us feelings so we can FEEL life. Now go laugh at your friends!

    2. Your emotions are GOD-LIKE. The Lord has emotions, too. The Bible talks about His anger and laughter. We see Christ lived a passionate life. And you were created in His image (Genesis 1:27). Your emotions are the fingerprints of your Father.

    3. You must keep your emotions UNDER CONTROL. This is the big one. Just because they are God-given and God-like doesn’t mean we can act however we want. We are Biblically required to walk by Faith, not by what we see or feel. No longer can we live on an emotional rollercoaster, up and down, down and up. We MUST control our emotions, rather than having them control us. Look at your past, have you ever allowed your emotions to make a decision for you? Yeah, it doesn’t turn out well. If you allow your emotions to control you, they will OWN YOU. Remember, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). The Holy Spirit within you can help you be under control, including control of your emotions.

    Today, I challenge you to work towards keeping your emotions in check. But I also encourage you to enjoy the good, Godly parts of emotions. Laughter. Feeling His peace. Joy. Now go LOL!


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