Our Fluctuating Emotions

Knowing that we are created in the image of God, and knowing that He himself displays a wide range of emotions in Scripture, it would be silly for us to think that our emotions are inherently evil and ought to be suppressed at all costs. However, because of the Fall, our emotions will subject us to a myriad of temptations that often lead us right into the paths of sin. And those temptations come as quickly as the tossing tide...

When we allow [our feelings] to be tied to our circumstances--which are constantly changing--rather than to the unchangeable realities of God and His Truth, our emotions are prone to fluctuate wildly... It doesn't take much to put our emotions on an upswing--a clear, sunny day, a raise at work, a compliment from a friend, the successful completion of a big project, or losing five pounds. Meanwhile, emotional lows can be the result of a variety of factors including (but not limited to) a series of cloudy days, a tough day at the office, a disappointing phone call, the realization that our clothes have gotten too tight, the time of the month, a sleepless night, or a pizza we ate too late the night before... When you add in "big things" like the birth of a fourth child in five years, a major move, the loss of a job, the death of a mate or child, caring for a parent with Alzheimer's, going through the change of life, or being diagnosed with cancer, those emotions can really go haywire. (DeMoss, 195)

Therefore, knowing how quickly our circumstances change and how often our emotions can fluctuate, we ought to take a moment to brace ourselves from the lie that "If I feel something, it must be true." Instead, we can cling to the Truths of Scripture that we are loved, we are blessed, we have been forgiven, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, the Lord has purposed every circumstance of our lives for our good, we will be perfected in Christ on the final day, etc.

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh; Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free (Chicago: Moody, 2001)

In Your Anger Do Not Sin

Take a moment to seriously consider how much do your emotions affect your actions on any given day?

I'll admit, my emotions affect MOST of my actions on any given day. The scary thing is, I often express those emotions in sinful ways. Rather than pray for my enemies, I'll often pick up the telephone and gossip or slander. Rather than calming myself down and being thankful for the duties of motherhood, I'll find opportunity to rip into my children's actions with a loud and quick-tempered "I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT!!!" Rather than joyfully accepting the loving and much needed corrections of my husband, I'll sulk in a corner mentally counting his wrongs and excusing mine. Even in the minor duties of day-to-day tasks I'll find occasion to squander my responsibilities on account of my feelings!

But the Bible has an answer for getting a grip on our out-of-control emotions. And you've probably guessed it: set your mind on Him.

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You. -Isaiah 26: 3

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is

anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received

and heard and saw in me, these do,

and the God of peace will be with you. -Philippians 4: 8-9

If then you were raised with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above,

not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3: 1-2

Now that you have considered your emotions and the extent to which they can overcome your actions, take another moment to consider which emotion you have the hardest time controlling? Consider how you generally express that emotion and how God would have you express it. You may even want to use one of the following promises or commands to help provide the means by which your emotions may be steadied in the midst of a storm:

• God’s Word promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, we don’t have to be overcome by loneliness.
• God’s Word promises, “My God will meet all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, we don’t have to stay awake at night worrying about how the mortgage will get paid.
• God’s Word promises, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken” (Isaiah 54:10). Therefore, we don’t have to live in dread of an uncertain future.
• God’s Word says, “Do not be afraid” (John 14:27). That means we don’t have to give in to fear, regardless of our circumstances.
• God’s Word say, “Don’t worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6 TLB). That means that even in the midst of stressful circumstances, we don’t have to be anxious.
• God’s Word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That means we can choose to be thankful, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart.
• God’s Word says, “Love you enemies” (Matthew 5:44). That means, by the power of the Spirit, we can choose to love anyone—no matter how greatly they have wronged us.
• God’s Word says, “If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him” (Mark 11:25). That means there is no one we cannot choose to forgive, no matter how deeply they may have hurt us or sinned against us. (DeMoss, 198-199)
  

Part of setting our minds on things above is burying ourselves in rich communion with God through prayer. The Psalms show us that in the midst of some very difficult emotional struggles David understood the value of pouring out his heart to the Lord. Whether he was joyful, angry, sad, fearful, or humbled; through his Psalms he gave us good examples of bringing God into our struggles:

Psalm 6

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,

Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;

O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

3 My soul also is greatly troubled;

But You, O LORD—how long?

4 Return, O LORD, deliver me!

Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!

5 For in death there is no remembrance of You;

In the grave who will give You thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning;

All night I make my bed swim;

I drench my couch with my tears.

7 My eye wastes away because of grief;

It grows old because of all my enemies.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;

For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my supplication;

The LORD will receive my prayer.

10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;

Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

The previous Psalm displays some Truths about God that helped David find emotional stability. Can you find them?

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh; Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free (Chicago: Moody, 2001)

How Do We Respond When Our Hormones Are Out of Whack?

cramps
headache
hot flashes
acne outbreak
weepiness
short temper
moodiness
nauseous
hung up on the minor things...

Sound familiar? Sound like PMS, a pregnancy, or menopause?

Certainly what happens in our bodies does affect us emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. We cannot isolate these various dimensions of who we are—they are inseparably intertwined. But we fall into the trap of the Enemy when we justify fleshly, sinful attitudes and responses based on our physical condition or hormonal changes. (DeMoss, 201)

How do you respond when your body is going through its womanly cycles and seasons? Do you feel like you respond well, or do you use those changes in your body as an excuse for poor behavior? We all do it, whether out loud or under our breath, use our physical feelings to justify carnality. What's worse is when our behavior begins to wreck relationships we have with other people.

As with other aspects of nature, God has designed our bodies to function in seasons and cycles. Certainly each season of life has its challenges. One of the consequences of the Fall was that childbearing would be accompanied by sorrow and pain. Childbirth is not the only time those consequences are felt. For example, the difficulties some women experience associated with their menstrual cycle are a practical reminder of our fallen condition. But every monthly cycle is also a reminder that God made us women, and that with our womanhood comes the capacity for being a bearer and nurturer of life. Even as a single woman, I find this to be a gracious and valuable reminder of who I am, why God created me, and how I can best glorify Him here on this earth. (201-202)

Psalm 139:

1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

5 You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,"

Even the night shall be light about me;

12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You.

Luke 12: 7

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

What an incredible thought! Long before you were born, every molecule of your body and every day of your life, from conception to the grave, was carefully thought through and planned by God. He ordained the day you would start menstruation, when and how many times you would be able to conceive, and exactly when you would stop ovulating. He understands exactly what is taking place in your body through every season and change. (202)

Is it conceivable that this wise, loving Creator would be unaware of our hormone levels at any stage of maturity or would have failed to make provision for every season of life? He does not offer an easy or trouble-free process of growth. But He has promised to meet all our needs and to give us grace to respond to the challenges and difficulties associated with every stage of life. (203)

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh: Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free (Chicago: Moody, 2001)