We have been dealing with some of the lies we believe about our lives and how they affect the way we live. If you believe a lie in one area of your life, it will affect every other area of your life. This week, we looked at the lies we believe about our feelings. Our emotions can be very powerful. People get feelings that aren’t real. They may think that they’re real, they may feel very real, and they may truly believe they’re real, but they’re just feelings. It is wise to remember that, as important as emotions are, feelings aren’t facts. There are two basic lies we believe about our feelings:
- If I feel something it must be true. The world tells us to “follow our hearts” but doesn’t tell us where it will lead us. The world has told us that feelings aren’t either right or wrong, and when listening to someone, we shouldn’t argue with their “feelings” because to them, they are real. So, if I’m feeling worthless, I must be worthless. If I feel like life is hopeless then it must be. The world teaches us that our feelings are the truth. If you “feel” in love, then you should get married. If you “feel out of love” then you should divorce. What is missing in this equation is the truth. Truth is objective. It never changes. It is consistent. It does not change with the weather or with our circumstances. Feelings are subjective. They change with the weather and your circumstances. You can feel happy one minute and sad the next. Feelings shouldn’t pull the train; they are the caboose, not the engine. Feelings should always follow facts.
- I can’t control my emotions. While it is true that to some degree we can’t control what we feel (pain, loss, anger, etc.), the truth is that you don’t need to let your feelings CONTROL you. We are integrated beings, our mind, will and emotions all affect one another. I believe that letting our emotions control us can be sin. If you let your emotions run your life, to run over your will and your body, then your body and your mind will pay for it.
So, what can we do to keep our feelings in synch with God’s truth? Here are a few tools we can use to control our emotions:
- Examine yourself to see if there is unconfessed sin your life. It will cloud your judgment from God’s truth.
- Remember what the truth is. No matter what you feel, compare it with the absolute truth of God’s word.
- Remember Who is in charge.
- Get perspective: What is true and what is not.
- Don’t try to do it alone. Get godly, professional help.
We all have emotions – God created us that way. Our goal is to understand their power and harness it to promote and proclaim God’s truth in our lives so that others can see Jesus in us. Be salt and light. 🙂
-Pastor Dave Jones