When Unexpected Emotions Appear

READ: PSALM 42:5-11; JOHN 11:35

Have you ever been in a really emotional place—one where you’ve never been before? I have. Those situations are hard to navigate: they’re overwhelming and scary. Sometimes you even start to believe the lie that you need to isolate yourself until you “fix” the problem or “get over” your feelings. But real freedom is found in asking friends and family to come alongside you and listen to your struggle.

You may worry that the situation will seem “small” or “stupid” because you “shouldn’t be feeling like this and just need to get over it.” Or you might think, because your emotions are so big and overwhelming for you, that you don’t want to “burden” anyone else with them. These worries can make you feel lonely and even worthless.

But let me encourage you in your struggle, whatever the size of the problem. Any emotion you have, whether someone says it’s “correct” or not, is real. Because—whether you are misunderstanding a situation or the situation truly is that difficult—your emotions are telling you it’s time to take a step back and figure out what’s going on in your mind.

Believe it or not, no matter what situation you are going through, God understands. He wants you to come to Him with every single emotion you have (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). He created you with emotions, and you live in a world broken by sin and death. Jesus Himself knows the same emotions we feel because He came to live among us. Even in the Old Testament—all throughout the book of Psalms—David (who was called a man after God’s own heart) poured out his heart to God, no matter what he was feeling.

So, take some deep breaths, call out to God and those around you, and know you are NOT alone! • Abigail Rose

• Was there a time in your life that you felt alone with your emotions? How did you handle it?

• Who can you go to with those struggles?

• How did David express his emotions? What can you use from his example to let out your own emotions?

Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 (CSB)