Transformed- Emotional Health

Emotions are messy and complicated.

Unfortunately, for a greater portion of my life than I care to admit, my modus operandi had been to compartmentalize and stuff the messiest and most complicated emotions and move forward in a logical manner.

Mr. Spock would’ve been so proud.

Your emotions are a gift from God. As I wrote that phrase in my notes from Sunday’s message, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I haven’t always believed that.

I felt like emotions made me do things I didn’t want to. Like cry in front of people when I talked about my mom. Or yell at my kids when they disrespected me. Or give my husband the silent treatment when he made me angry. Or stay cold and distant from people because I was ashamed. My emotions were like little tyrants living in my head that forced me to do things against my will. And I had no control.

Therefore, emotions needed to be filed into the appropriate folders and stuffed away.

The results of compartmentalization and repression, in my case, were always unpleasant. Physical manifestations included migraines, neck and back spasms, TMJ and upset stomach. But the relational havoc wreaked was much worse.

In her book Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst states that emotions “are indicators, not dictators.” I pictured those little tyrants, the dictators living in my head, making me do things I didn’t want to do (and yes, I imagined my emotions as having mustaches…because dictators always seem to have mustaches, no?)

Emotions are indicators of what is deep in our hearts-indicators of something needing to be addressed. They are gifts from God. He gave us emotions to navigate us toward Him during the times we need Him most.

When I am sad, Lord, comfort me in my grief.

When I am angry, Lord, show me the source of this anger and help me address it righteously.

When I am offended, Lord, teach me to forgive.

When I am anxious, Lord, grant me your peace.

Our emotions – these gifts from God – when managed correctly, offer a bonus component. When we are transformed in our emotions, we are able to connect in healthy and meaningful ways with those around us. 

So as we go forward this week, open your heart and emotions up to complete transformation and be sure to thank God for these special gifts.

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Brigit Edwards