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Last update : 19th January
Taking care of our emotions
to stay connected to the Lord
The Lord likes us to be connected to Him. It is written in John 10:27:
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
What closeness between the Shepherd and the sheep! Isn’t it heart to heart with the Lord?
For what reasons is closeness or intimacy with the Lord no longer possible?
Becoming aware
I realised that at times I could not hear the voice of my good Shepherd and I asked Him why. I realised that most of the time this was due to negative emotions and destructive feelings that were working in me, sometimes almost without my knowledge, undermining my relationship with Him.
The Lord desires to spend quality time with us.
An allegory
I would like to use an image to illustrate this relationship between Him and us: it is that of a pipe into which and through which God must be able to flow freely.
However, as soon as we are not attentive, waste accumulates little by little in our heart and creates obstacles which, with time, crystallise which then becomes a mass that gradually becomes harder and harder and more voluminous, narrowing the diameter of our pipe until it’s completely obstructed and messes up our relationship with God, with ourselves and with others.
About negative emotions and destructive feelings
This waste can be of many kinds.
Today I will talk about negative emotions and destructive feelings.
Negative emotions can be sadness, melancholy, disappointment, guilt, irritation, annoyance, anger, fear, anxiety, anguish, pain, and destructive feelings can be low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, frustration, envy, jealousy, rivalry, resentment, aggression, hatred, desire for revenge, accusations, blame, shame, contempt, discomfort, pride, feelings of loneliness, or refusal to forgive.
Toxic waste
In other words, negative emotions and destructive feelings are toxic waste that accumulate within us.
The author of Hebrews 12 speaks of the collateral damage that takes place when believers allow this negativity to build up in their hearts: they deprive themselves of God’s grace, cause trouble, especially through negative words: other members of the Body of Christ are in turn, also contaminated.
A need to be cleansed of these feelings
That is why now, as soon as I feel a negative emotion or experience a destructive feeling, I approach my Lord as quickly as possible so that He can cleanse me of these feelings: I come to Him recognizing what I am experiencing, telling Him that I reject these negative emotions, and then I ask Him to replace them with His feelings, which I receive by faith.
Some effects of being washed, free from fetters
I then feel a peace come over me, the peace of God that keeps my heart and thoughts in Him. By dealing with these negative emotions and feelings, I also avoid certain unfortunate consequences for my physical, mental and spiritual health. I can have fulfilling relationships with myself, with God and with others.
What can I do?
I take care of my emotions, stay connected to the Lord to hear the Holy Spirit and follow him
Since I am once again aligned with my good Shepherd, the connection is easygoing and I am able to hear His voice: I hear Him leading me to enter into the works He has prepared for me (Eph. 2:10). What an exciting life!
God is on your side, folks!
What a great day!