“Trust in him at all times; ye people,
pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Psl.62:8)
James Dobson wrote a book that asks
the question, Emotions, Can You Trust
Them?” The answer, of course, is no. They’re too unpredictable to be relied
upon. So, to me, the obvious next question is, “What can you constructively do with them, then?” This is not unimportant,
because we’re talking about the most volatile part of our psyche. To deny them
is not only wrong but ludicrous. We all have them. When we say someone is very
emotional, what we’re really saying that he or she is more prone to display his or her emotions, not that
those who do not, have less.
David’s answer to our question of
where our emotions are best utilized is in this verse: “…pour out your heart before him…” Does this mean we’re never to
share deep feelings with others? I don’t think so, because he also says in
Psalm 39:3, “My heart was hot within
me…then spake I with my tongue.” There are unexpected times when cups of
joy or sorrow can do little else but overflow before others, but this should
not be their natural experience. And I’ll admit, I, for one, am far more moved
and inspired by preachers and other ministering saints who are better able to
show me God’s heart than their own.
God insists that I love Him with all
my heart and soul, and He has brought me to the place after many years where I
find it easier to do, as He has grown even lovelier to me. He has first claim
on my emotions, and I gladly relinquish it. Beyond that, my husband stands at
the front of the line, and everyone else must fall in behind. The rest of my
family gets their rightful share; and, no doubt, you who read these written
ramblings of mine get a peek into my soul from time to time, as well.
No,
emotions cannot be trusted, but they can
be offered up to God for His pleasure…and choice of display.
No comments:
Post a Comment