Let the Lord help you with your feelings
June 29, 2008 (Sunday)
”We do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities..” (Hebrews 4:15 Amplified Bible).
We all have feelings. The verse quoted above says the Lord empathizes with our painful feelings.
How do you handle your feelings? Please let me suggest some ways.
Nurture the good feelings. Have some fun. Many humorous things happen every day. Some of them happen to you. Try not to take everything so seriously. Think on the positive side. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).
Manage the painful feelings. Don’t be ashamed of your feelings, because they are normal. Real life produces many different kinds of emotions, and some of them are unpleasant, so affirm your painful feelings. Even Jesus cried, “My God, why?” as He suffered on the cross. Be honest about your feelings and don’t try to deny their existence. Let the tears come. Don’t apologize for them, because some tears are good.
Share your feelings. You are fortunate if you have someone to listen. Don’t demand sympathy. The Psalmist cried, “No one cared for my soul,” a complaint that seems to demand consideration. Recognize self-pity in yourself; it is natural, but not helpful. Be willing to change if necessary.
Take your feelings to the Lord. Pray about your troubles (Phil 4:6-7). Live one day at a time. Jesus said, “One day’s trouble is enough for one day.”
Surrender yourself to the Lord and let Him help you. He cares. Pray the prayer of serenity: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” If you have not done so, please receive Christ into your heart as your Savior. Come to Jesus. Open your heart and invite Him into your life. He makes all the difference in the world.