Engaging Emotions

I just finished Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith.  Thinking about my emotions in the context of my Christian faith is a novel idea to me, and a subject that I started considering a few years ago.  

My emotional nature is from God and therefore a good gift.  But, since I'm a fallen, sinful person, my emotions also reflect that sin nature. 

And there's a real tension that goes on inside of me between the Spirit and my sinful self.  My emotions drive me and can lead me to think and act in ways that aren't consistent with my faith.   

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Romans 7:15

I have three take-aways from the book.

First, emotions are not cut-and-dry; they're complicated.  All of the circumstances in my life, and all that's going on at the moment - those issues impact how I feel and how I respond to any new situation.  And that "tapestry of my life" is ever changing.

Second, my emotions have both positive and negative aspects.  I can be righteously angry at an injustice.  But, mixed in with that "good" anger, I feel hate, and I justify myself and those feelings.  It's complicated.

The book's third and most impactful lesson is the idea of "engaging" my emotions with the Lord.  I should take my feelings and emotions to Him, share them with Him, explore them - explore where my sin is and where it isn't in the current situation and in how I feel.

However, this whole idea of "engaging" emotions is a hard thing to wrap one's head around.  And talking and thinking about it can seem like mixing psychology with Christianity.  

But...as I know and as the book consistently quotes, many of the Psalms, especially David's Psalms, are prayers dealing with emotions.  

David takes his fear, his grief, his guilt, and all his emotions to the Lord in prayer.  

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.  Psalm 31:9

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.  Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.  Psalm 55:4–5

What I've found is - there's relief and comfort in engaging with the Lord.  It's not always easy, as any attempt to expose the sin in my heart is hard and it hurts. 

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.  Psalm 32:5

The gospel is only good news and only shines clearly when placed next to sin and my failure to be perfect, to keep the law.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Untangling Emotions is a good read, and I'll be reading it and referring to it again.