Have you found yourself feeling lots of emotions this week? Are you dealing with discouragement, grief, anger, loneliness, or resentment? These heavy emotions are distracting, and can be overwhelming, and all-consuming. They desire to be our companion and take us on a journey to despair, but we do not have to travel that road. How are we to navigate the negative thoughts and emotions that life brings us? Let’s remember that God has promised to meet our needs and bring us an abundant life with joy in His presence.

Circumstances often bring us negative feelings and reactions. They are hints that something is going on in our inner life, and we should pay attention. God is giving us a clue that we are unsettled and uncomfortable with circumstances and with people. We need to recognize that God gave us all emotions; not just the happy ones. When feelings come, we need to pay attention to them! They are not useless or inappropriate, they are real. Ignoring them or stuffing them does not deal with the situation, it just compounds it and puts it off until later. When “later” arrives, our feelings have become hatred, bitterness, and resentment.

We do not need to listen and follow wherever the emotions want to lead, but we need to acknowledge their presence and take them to God for insight. Today is the day, to go before the Lord and ask Him to listen and explain. What is it I am feeling? What does this mean? How am I to get through this grief? How can I handle this person who has hurt me again? What do you want me to do Lord, so you can bring life and healing?

Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet, without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

It is OK to realize that we are struggling and seek understanding. Jesus dealt with all the same emotions that we do, and He provides grace for us to navigate this road. The Bible talks about His reactions of compassion, heartache, grief, anger, but especially of love. He did not let the negative emotions cloud His judgement or lead Him to sin. If you do not know how to explain what you’re feeling, find a psalm that explodes with emotion and the desire for retribution. God understands that reaction, and the psalm will then lead you to trust and hope. God’s love can surround our heart with comfort and guidance. Holy Spirit is our counselor. He can lead us to understand the root of our reactions and bring healing to our hearts. He is the God of hope. Let’s turn to Him with our negative reactions, and NOT turn away in embarrassment or shame.

Psalm 73:2-3,5,14, 16-17, 26,28 “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled. My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

God will provide grace for your situation and health for your emotions. He will guide you through the difficult circumstances and give you the comfort and direction to bring you to Himself. Turn to Him in your distress.

Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”