It is perhaps difficult to overstate the power of emotions. The human body can be strengthened to remarkable levels. The human mind can plumb amazing depths. Yet emotions can overrule the strongest body and the sharpest mind. Both love and hate can reduce us to whimpering puddles, diminishing in seconds what it may have taken us decades to establish. Curiously, both love and hate can also drive us to work our minds and bodies further than we would have ever considered possible. We would be unwise to underestimate what emotions can do in our lives.
This fact has been understood about people for a very long time, but there are still those who take opposite approaches to the issue. Historically, the heart has been recognized as the seat of emotions, so when you hear the popular refrain today to “just follow your heart,” what you are hearing is the encouragement to let your emotions dictate your direction. However, the Bible proclaims that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9). The worldly perspective amounts to the notion of “if it feels good, do it” but Scripture says instead “let’s stop and think about this for a moment.”
Attempting to be biblical in your worldview does not mean that you cast aside your emotions. Indeed, if you follow the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, you will do many things that seem illogical to most folks. Living a life in accordance with the Scriptures requires the strength that Godly love provides. At the same time, the Bible does not prohibit anger and recognizes that there are appropriate places for anger to arise. However, the admonition is that we not let the sun go down on our anger, for it is when anger consumes us that it brings about destruction. Being led simply by your emotions may make for a compelling Hallmark movie, but it can make a mess of your life.
Friends and neighbors, we live in a time when people are trying to get us to respond emotionally, whether it is a commercial for some product or cause, or a politician passionately explaining their position. Our various media options barrage us, less with information and more with emotional content. Even our local social media plays into this, and we need to be careful. I dare say that 99.99% of what we encounter does not require our immediate response based upon our hearts. Personally, I find it best to pray prior to a response, and I would encourage you to do the same. But even if you don’t, at least pause long enough to allow your brain to weigh in on the situation. What you may find is that the person aiming for your emotions left out valuable information – the sort of information that might lead you to a different response.
These are challenging times. It is okay to feel the tug of your heartstrings, whether it be in love or anger, but please be sure to engage your brains before formulating your response.
Peace and blessings – Pastor Aaron