Pressure applied to our emotions…

A few weeks ago, I bumped into a friend and we started talking about Lysa Terkherust’s new book It’s Not Suppose To Be This Way.  With tears streaming down her face, she laughed and said…Why didn’t I write that book?  I smiled and said…Amen sister!  I think there are a lot of us who could have written that book!

The truth is life is hard.  Somewhere along the way, I got lulled into believing it is supposed to be easy.  But the further down the path I journey, the more I recognize it’s not going to be without its share of bumps, bruises and hardships.

Over the past few weeks I have continued to pick up on the struggle.  One friend shared he was frustrated and wanted to give up.  Another was in a funk.  Two more were grieving or processing strained relationships. One sounded frighteningly depressed.  Another deflated.  Another discouraged. Another grieving a loss. Five gathered to share the burden of a difficult prognosis.  Several struggle with chronic illnesses or pain.  And a few are digging deep to break free from debt.

As I processed these hurts, I thought…What do we do with this?  What does God’s word say about our emotions?  

The Holy Spirit reminded me both Moses and Elijah wanted to quit.  They asked God to let them die…to kill them. (Numbers 11: 15; 1 King 19:4-5)  Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. (Mark 14:34)  We know Paul had a thorn in his flesh. (2 Corn 12:9)  I’m not sure if it was a chronic physical pain or soul pain.  Acts 2 tells us Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail.  Eventually Paul would also be shipwrecked, naked, hungry and on the run.

I wonder how a clinical psychiatrist would characterize their emotions?  Would they diagnosis them with post-traumatic-stress-disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal ideations or depression?  Would it be considered more than just a “funk”?

Creflo Dollar said on his broadcast Monday…Temptation is when pressure is applied to our emotions to lead us to a place we never intended to go. 

All the men above were where God intended them to be.  But there was also pressure applied to their emotions in that place.  So often we are on the right path.  Heading in the direction God has for us.   And then…the circumstance arises that leaves us pierced, dumbfounded or with words better not spoken.  An emotion rises deep within and threatens to hijack all peace, confidence, logic, hope and control.  Pressure is applied to our emotions.  

It is in these moments we must be guarded.  If we succumb to the emotion it will lead us to a place we don’t want to go.  Regret.  Choices which will move us away from the will of God.  Choices which will prevent us from stepping forward into the destiny Christ has for us…the breakthrough, the manifestation of the promise or being used by Him to usher in His will.  It is in these times our enemy is prowling around like a lion looking for someone to devour.  He is looking for someone who will allow themselves to be carried off by their emotions to a place they never intended to go.

When I think about this truth in regards to the examples above, it seems to line up.  Moses and Elijah were so overwhelmed by their circumstances their emotions told them to quit, to pray to die.  Jesus’ emotions told Him to let the cup pass…don’t fulfill the destiny of the cross…salvation to all who would receive it.

I have learned God heard their prayers.  He answered each prayer, but maybe not like they requested.

The solution their emotions proposed differed drastically from God’s will.

1.  God did not kill Moses.  Instead, He took a portion of His Spirit off of Moses and placed it on 70 other God-fearing men.  Moses didn’t need to die, he needed help carrying the burden.  So God sent him help.
2. He didn’t kill Elijah either.  He gave Elijah rest.  Literally sleep and food.  He sent an angel to strengthen him with food for the journey ahead.
3. When Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, God sent an angel to minister to Him and strengthen Him for the task at hand.  He didn’t remove the cross, He strengthen Christ for the cross.
4. God did not remove the thorn from Paul’s flesh.  God intended for Paul to bear that burden.  He intended to use the thorn in Paul’s flesh to perfect His strength in Paul.  God reminded Paul, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is make perfect in weakness.  2 Corn 12:9
5. And finally, notice what Paul and Silas were doing after they had been beaten and thrown in prison.  Acts chapter 2 tells us they were praying and singing hymns to God. While they were glorifying God, a violent earthquake shook the prison doors open and their chains became loosened. I’m pretty sure the song I would have been singing after being beaten and imprisoned would not have brought glory to God.  I’m pretty sure I would have been hearlding some lamentations, complaining, grumbling followed by a chorus of I quit.  I am confident I would have succumb to the pressure applied to my emotions at that time and they would have carried me to a place I never intended to go. Maybe this is part of the reason why my prison doors have not been opened and my chains have not fallen off.

I’m not sure what you are facing.  But I know what it means to want to quit.  To plead with the Lord over a thorn in my flesh.  To be overwhelmed by the enemies I’m facing…usually enemies waging war in my soul.  I know what it is to ask God for this cup to pass.

I am coming to realize maybe His answer is not to let me quit, rather to send me help.  Someone to help carry the burden.  Maybe He intends for me to have a season of rest.  Maybe He needs to teach me  praising Him is what sets me free me from depression, disappointment and pain.  Maybe He wants to use His Spirit, His Word, to heal the hurt in my soul.  Maybe praising God is the key to loosening the grip my enemies have over me.  Maybe His will is for me to bear the cross, not remove it.  Maybe He intends to use me to usher in His Kingdom in the life of someone I know.  Maybe He need me to stay in the batlle and fight the good fight of faith.  So He sends His Spirit to minister to me in the times of my greatest need to strengthen me for the journey ahead.   And maybe, He knows that I am just a little too independent and prideful to be trusted with a life that does not include a thorn in my flesh to tie me to Him.

Maybe my goal shouldn’t always be to avoid the hardship but rather learn how to glorify Him through the hardship.

Lord when pressure is applied to my emotions, teach me to look to You for help, rest, strength and grace.  Teach me how to worship you in the presence of my enemies. Teach me how to glorify You while I grieve, hurt and struggle with waves of disappointment, fear and frustration which leave me wanting to quit. Teach me to resist the temptation of being carried off by my emotions to a place I never intended to go.