Christianity Oasis Forum

[akita777]

I was wondering if anyone has to deal with out of control emotions? Does anyone rely too heavily on emotions? Also, do they kinda dictate your days?

I have a problem getting in touch with my emotions. Except I know that I feel bad. When I feel good it is different and because I think I have felt bad for so long, when the Lord gives me a glimpse of hope and joy. I immediately sabotage it. Can anyone relate?

Steve

[Hitgirl]

Hi akita

I have learned a few things the last few days... 1. Negative emotions point to something that needs attention. So if you are feeling something that is not positive, you really need to investigate it further. It is helpful writing down or thinking about what has happened to make you feel that way and what you are thinking that causes you to think that way. Journalling.... what we were talking about the other day. 2. God accepts us with both our negative emotions and our positive ones. The Bible talks about the positive emotions alot and as Christians we often feel pressured to always feel positive but that is not real. In Psalm 23 it talks about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In Isaiah it talks about walking through fire. God does not expect us to be happy walking through fire or valleys but He does want us to know that He accepts us with those feelings and that He is with us and on hand to help, comfort and guide us. If we were supposed to be happy ALL the time, we would not need a Comforter. So if you are having negative emotions, it is helpful to realise that they are there for a reason that possibly needs addressing but that it doesn't change in any way whether God accepts us or not and do not make us bad.

Yes there are days for me when it feels like my emotions are dominating my day. But I am realising more and more that instead of trying to push away those bad feelings, I should be addressing them, acknowledging them, listening to them and talking to God about them. The more I try to not have those feelings the more they just get congested inside because they are not being dealt with. God gave us emotions for a reason and it is ok to acknowledge them. It is not ok to stay there forever or to do things that affect others in a harmful way, but there is nothing wrong with addressing your feelings.

I hope that helps even a little bit.

Have a good day
Hitgirl

[akita777]

Thanks for the reminder...I just struggle because my thoughts and feelings are often times the exact opposite of what I want to think and feel. It seems like a constant attack from the enemy telling me that I am not a Christian and on and on it goes. Sometimes it gets really tiring and I feel like giving in to the lies.

Thanks for your words,

Steve

[Mackenaw]

Hello Akita

God bless you this day.

Our carnal emotions and thoughts can be "the pits", that is for sure. But, it is part of this package or the carnal life that we are striving to overcome with the help of The Holy Spirit, Who is inside us. He is willing that we overcome, and He gives us the power in which to overcome. Thank You Lord!!!

Within this Forum, the very first post/announcement, there is a list of awesome studies -- some long, some short -- that really help us to understand the process. Here is the link to that Forum post that has the list of the studies that help in dealing with our emotions: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=21472

Akita, you are not alone, brother. Most of us, if not all of us, have had or are still battling the same, but The Lord is faithful to help us overcome.

Jesus is The Word and The Truth, and The Truth (Jesus, The Word) will set you free. He/It is the Sword which is part of the armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18).

Prayers continue to rise to our Lord in the name of Jesus, on your behalf. May God's blessed will be done.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[akita777]

Thanks for the help. God is good, always. Sometimes I don't see well. I want to be used of the Lord and I just can't ever see that happening in my condition. But, then again he uses imperfect people everyday. Why not me, right? One of my biggest problems is trust and fear and it stems from being taken advantage of by the cultist. I trusted him, I really thought he had my best interest at heart. In the end all he was after was money and power. I fell for it. I believed a false prophet that admitted he was not a Christian. He said that "Christian" was just a word and a label and that I did not need a label to know God. He deception was very subtle. I battled him on every point as he twisted scripture. I don't know why, but I was blindsided. I never knew what he was really doing to me, until I had completely lost my mind. I guess since I let my guard down and he was there at the right time, I really wanted to believe he was right. He paid attention to me, he counseled me. He made me feel special. So I gave myself to him. Not physically but emotionally, like a father. The problem is that he is not my father. God almighty is my father and his son the Lord Jesus is my savior.

The experience was so traumatic and evil that I was convinced I was given over to the devil. Even now this is my struggle. Constant accusations, guilt, shame and fear. Sometimes I feel like I would be better off dead. I think this way because I don't want to hurt others as I was hurt. But, sometimes I feel like I am turning into the very thing I would never want. I denied being a Christian for a very short time. Then my mind started telling me that I was now the devil's. This scared me to death.

I'm sorry that I keep re-visiting this, but in a way it is not re-living the past. Because it is my present in my mind. Everyday I think about this...everyday I fear that I went too far. It's like something has a hold on me and won't let go. I just hope and pray it is the Lord....Steve

[akita777]

Mackanew,

Thanks for the link. I read a few of them and they were very helpful. Especially the ones on Guilt and whispers. It's a daily battle. I am hopeful that my days will turn into months of victory in Christ. I am so used to living in fear, I don't want to be this way anymore. But, I know I cannot change myself. In God's timing according to his will, I be well. Thank you for your continued prayers.

God bless you,

Steve