Let Faith & Facts Lead Your Life, Not Emotions

Word-Of-The-Day:  ‘Jesus wept.’ (John 11:35)

Now, it’s funny that this came to my mind today, as I am not sad nor feel like weeping.  On the contrary, we are, for the most part, doing good; I’m working and accomplishing things around the house.  I had a good doctor’s visit yesterday, while my wife’s visit wasn’t as good, didn’t have terrible, shattering news, either.

John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible, but as we look at this, it packs a lot of meaning.  Jesus’ friend Lazarus had fallen ill and died.  Lazarus was likely not as close to Jesus as the Apostles were (he was not of the 12, and likely did not follow Jesus around too much).  Jesus, being of God and being God, knew of Lazarus’ demise before He received word, but yet He was emotionally saddened by the news of His friend’s passing, even one who was not as close to Him as others were. 

This was probably not the first time Jesus wept in mourning; His earthly father Joseph possibly passed away several years before and it would be certain Jesus loved him as He did His mother Mary.  We also know Jesus wept as He prayed while in great stress at the Garden of Gethsemane before He was led away to face the Pharisees. 

Jesus often expressed other emotions when necessary.  Jesus was Righteously angry when He confronted the ‘thieves & money-changers’ inside the Temple grounds.  Jesus loved, felt compassion, had mercy, and showed emotions as we do throughout the Gospels.  Jesus had emotions and it’s OK for us to have these emotions, too.

We are now living in extraordinary times.  While I remain upbeat, even somewhat content in feeling – at least for now – I can certainly understand someone having feelings of despair, fear, sadness, depression, and other negative feelings at this time.  First, realize not everyone will react to this the same, especially those who have either had an illness, injury, or death hit them personally, such as a loved one sick or dying, or they being sick themselves; or indirectly (loss of job, no money to buy food, children/spouse always at home).   

However you feel, it is OK to feel how you feel – but only up to a point.  I choose to try to make the best of any situation (‘embrace the suck’ to put it in a military term) as I cannot in my own power change the circumstances we’re in.  But I also try to minimize and avoid, if at all possible and through the power of God, those stress points that would make me have negative feelings.  If you have those stress points, it is OK to feel sad or angry when those stress points are in your life. 

What is not OK is when you allow those stress points to become the focal point of your life and dwell on them.  You cannot allow yourself to become paralyzed with fear, depression, or be overwhelmed with great sadness.  This is when Satan can creep in with thoughts of ‘Why go to church?  Jesus isn’t with you here to help’ and cascade down into thoughts of giving up, or even worse, suicide.  Conversely the opposite, being happy, can be just as crippling – ‘I’m so happy, why do I need to go to church?  I don’t need to be preached at’ – and thoughts of giving up, this time all things Christian for selfish purposes, come into play. 

Understand that in the good times or bad times, it is important to remain focused on Jesus and His Gospel.   Jesus had these emotional swings, like everyone has in their lives, but He always moved forward and never gave up.  That’s why He is always with you, through the Holy Spirit, and that’s why He created His church – all of us – so that you have someone who you can come to and get support.  You may be happy as a lark right now – and that’s good thing!  You still need Jesus.  You may be sadder than my wife eating a meal I prepared, and that’s OK, too.  You still need Jesus.     

Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your fellowship, with Christ or your church.  If you need to talk, don’t be too proud or too ashamed to call someone and talk.  If you did something you shouldn’t have done, Jesus will not judge you; pray to Him and ask for His forgiveness and for Him to help you.  You are not alone in this!  Together, with Jesus, we will get through this together!