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All the Feels

Toddlers are famous for moodiness. Trying to figure out life when you’re just learning to walk, talk and use a potty can be tough stuff!  Thankfully, we don’t stay in a place out where emotions leave us pounding our fists on the floor. Yet, we sure can find ourselves taken by a wave of emotion. Has someone you loved ever asked you the always mistimed question, “Why are you so emotional?”   My husband has lit a few bombs in me with just two words:

Calm down.

What is a Christian woman to do with all the emotions?

When we suffer the loss of a loved one and  we’re encumbered by grief, there’s an essence acceptance  offered us as we ride a wave of emotion whether from empathy or sympathy. Death is universally sad and common. We all die.

There are other times we are angry, fearful, sad, joyous etc and when any of  it is received  with understanding we are met with a sort of solidarity.

What about the secrets or life circumstances  unseen?

For what seems like the 975th time today you’ve cleaned up a spill, changed a diaper, walked the dog-in the mud, told your child he can’t cut his sister’s hair or  answered a text from your husband while nursing the baby in the midst of the spills, dirty diapers and messy dog.   When the bills pile up but the paycheck doesn’t last.  Another pregnancy test reads negative no matter which way you turn it to the light or squint to see a line. Your mom’s tests continue to show a decline in health but you do all you can  trying to help her live well while she has life. A best friend found out crushing news and you just want to get there, but you can’t.  A personal decision is weighing heavy on your heart. These times and all the ones in between, you feel.  We all do, even if and when other’s can’t understand.

Compassion is rooted from grace in our own life not understanding in someone else’s circumstances.

Emotional messes are caused by trying to understand.  Women like to understand. Men like to fix.  Emotions don’t play like that.  Scripture tells us to not lean into our own understanding. Praise the Lord, because if it was left up to me-or you-to understand this life, we would have no hope.  There’s no fixing.  Grief hurts. Trials pain. Parenting is frustrating at times. Marriage is an explosion of emotions.  No fixing. Living.   And when we live, we feel.

Was Jesus emotional?

Remember when Jesus wept?  His friend had died.  Remember when Jesus was angry and flipped tables?   Some were turning His house into a gambling parlor. Remember Jesus’ warning to anyone who would cause a child to stumble in sin?  They’d be better off drowned. Remember the stark compassion Jesus met the woman at the well with? He met her there, where she shouldn’t have been, living a life of sin- and He  meet her need; He changed her life. He had compassion. Remember the anguish with which Jesus pled to His Father?  He sweated even drops of blood.  Remember when He knew the hurt to come He asked it be done quickly? Betrayed among His closest friends.  Remember the love He showed-to you & me?  He was  obedient- to the death of the cross!

Jesus knows the feeling you’re struggling with from whatever its source.

He designed us to be emotional people. Imagine the world void of compassion and joy.

That would be the cost of a people who knows no trial or sorrow.

He understands. Go to Him.

Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it. LORD You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty: I am unable to reach it. PSALM 139:1-6