Entrusting God With Your Emotions

Many times as Christians we can forget emotions are important to God. We actually learn from Him that our emotions are so vital to our life in Christ. 

The story of Lazarus is an example of this. Jesus wept with Mary Magdalene at his grave, even while knowing he would raise him from the dead. He cared so much about feeling the emotions of that moment that he wept with Mary. He was a safe place for her to feel her emotions as she needed in her mourning. He did not try to fix the situation—instead, he sat with her in that difficult moment, listened, and wept with her. 

We can learn a lot from this interaction. In it, we recognize that He sees us. He wants to listen to our cries, our difficult emotions, our anger, our sadness, depression, or frustration. He wants you to come to Him in times when you are overwhelmed with panic or anxiety. He desires to hear your heart and comfort you. 

When control turns to chains

Trusting God with these emotions can be a very difficult step. Sometimes we're holding onto areas we don’t even realize. Maybe there are areas of your heart that you desire to understand more or control more when He is calling you to release them. Maybe in keeping tight control of your difficult feelings, you find that you are actually chained to them. He is calling you to release them, and in the process, release you to freedom. God desires to free you from the chains—he wants you to give those feelings to Him. 

Healthy ways to process emotions

Now when understanding our emotions, it may be difficult to know exactly how to process them. A healthy way to start understanding emotions is to examine where they are coming from. Did something happen recently that caused you to feel overwhelmed or triggered? Do some things bother you uncontrollably but you don’t know why? Are there emotions that you feel regularly that keep coming back? These are places to start.

Documenting these emotions in the notes section on your phone or even writing them in a journal are great ways to begin understanding your emotions. Recognize them, and at the end of the day, bring these emotions to the feet of the Father. Spend some time in prayer, and surrender these emotions to Him. Show Him areas that are difficult to give up, and bring all these pieces of you to Him. 

What not to say in struggles

In difficult moments where we feel overwhelmed and triggered, as believers we can make statements that can actually be hurtful. Maybe you’ve heard some of them: just pray about it, just trust Him, let go and let God. In reality, we probably need more help to unpack these statements. 

Often the best thing to do with a fellow believer who is struggling is to simply listen. Hear their cries for help and provide support through a listening ear. A faithful friend goes a long way. Whether you’re the one listening or the one speaking, community is necessary and something we should rely on in these moments of suffering. Just as He wants us to come to Him, He doesn’t want us to struggle alone. 

The journey of processing

Whether it is speaking to the Lord directly, bringing these emotions to process with a friend, or writing them out in a journal, begin the beautiful journey of processing. It will only lead to a more emotionally aware and healthy life—and a life where you can feel God’s comfort more fully.