Emotions

“Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality. Listening to our emotions ushers us into reality. And reality is where we meet God. . . . Emotions are the language of the soul. They are the cries that give the heart a voice. . .” Peter Scazzero- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. 

What once may have been communicated only as cooling or crying eventually will grow into expression through words and the ability to cope with and manage emotions. 

We learn through various sources that some emotions are more acceptable and tolerable than others. We also learn that expressing  emotions is safe and builds attachments, while expressing others is unsafe and can potentially strain or break attachments. 

We often begin to push away the emotions that are harmful for our attachments and eventually lose the ability to recognize and label them. 

Spending time as an adult connecting with, labeling, and exploring your emotions in an environment that feels safe can help you identify how you truly feel and can overall impact our outlook on life.

The relationship you have with God is the most important relationship you’ll have. 

You’re innate being was created and designed by a Creator who intricately weaved your entire body, creating you in his image, and emotions are included there too. So often some of us like to allow our emotions to rule, or put them on the back burner. Either Isn’t healthy. Our emotions aren’t often truths, but rather alerts to a deeper issue. So often the emotions of anger, frustration, sadness, or fear, are symptoms of something to be aware of. Nurturing your self-relationship requires acceptance and compassion, it requires being curious about what’s really going on for you and taking an honest look at your spiritual needs and desires.

Emotions are a gift. They teach us how to give and receive. They’re not meant to be viewed as enemies, but rather friends. Another part of connecting with your emotions is checking in regularly with them. If you’re not sure how to do this think about how you would check in with a friend maybe you’d call, send a text, or sit down and chat. Our emotions are even a greater signal of teaching our mind and body to surrender to God’s presence, and most importantly get real with Him. 

“When we deny our pain, losses, and feelings year after year, we become less and less human. We transform slowly into empty shells with smiley faces painted on them. Sad to say, that is the fruit of much of our discipleship in our churches. But when I began to allow myself to feel a wider range of emotions, including sadness, depression, fear, and anger, a revolution in my spirituality was unleashed. I soon realized that a failure to appreciate the biblical place of feelings within our larger Christian lives has done extensive damage, keeping free people in Christ in slavery.”- Peter Scazzero