Emotions

Emotions are such funny things... complicated, wonderful, completely crazy, hurtful, and often dramatic feelings.  I would go as far as to say, emotions make the world go round.

Feelings of ...
love
hatred
happiness
sadness
betrayal
safe
cold
warm
fuzzy
loneliness
powerless
helpful
frustration
contentment
worthy
unworthy
confused
at peace

It is hard often to express ourselves and our emotions, and everyone reacts differently to them.  Some people control and own their emotions entirely while others are "controlled"  by their emotions.  Some people hide their emotions inside while others where them on their sleeve.

Yet every good story has emotion from classic novels to life stories to fables and folktales, movies and song lyrics.  Humans have emotions and our behavior is linked to them.  The key for me however is:  I believe we can not control our emotions, but we can control our behaviors.

For example:  I am terrified of the dark.  Really hate it.  I feel uncomfortable, nervous, frightened.  However I walk home alone in the dark and lead evening activities such as night hikes.  I can overcome my feelings and work through them, but some of them never go away.  Yet they don't control my behavior.

Deeper example:  I often feel overwhelmed by the love of God.  Like a wave has washed over me and everything I have ever worried about will be taken care of because the lover of my soul is here.  Often my response to that love is a feeling of unworthiness and that I should try to earn it.  Be a "good" person, kind and loving, reading my bible and behaving.  But when my "righteous" behavior comes from that feeling - it isn't quite right.  I can push and push all I want, but in the end I feel empty.  I must surrender my feelings to my God.  Only when I can do that can I embrace the love of God that is in me through the holy spirit and truly share it with others - and that brings me true joy.  

How are you feeling today?

In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin