Surrendering My Emotions

Let’s talk about our feelings, shall we? Emotions are a wonderful gift from God. I find that I identify most with this quote from the great philosopher of our time, Buddy the Elf, “I just like smiling. Smiling’s my favorite.” And it is! But what happens when our emotions are out of whack?

When we view our circumstances through the lens of our feelings instead of the truth – and trust me, there is often a difference – we aren’t getting the whole picture. It’s so easy to believe that what we feel is true because our emotions are powerful, but feelings are deceptive. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that our hearts are deceitful – aka, they can lead us astray. When we let our hearts lead, we are trading wisdom and truth for what feels right. The feelings of belonging and excitement feel better than loneliness and may keep you in a relationship God is calling you out of. The feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness may fuel your ambition, but will lead to destruction. The empathetic emotions that cause you to compromise when you need to stand strong may feel right, but will cost you in the long run. When our emotions aren’t surrendered to God, our life can take chaotic turns.

We need to take every thought and emotion captive and surrender them to Jesus. Test it against the truth of God’s Word. Your feelings might make you feel justified in your anger and unforgiveness towards a friend, but God doesn’t say to withhold forgiveness. Your emotions might tell you that you’re in love with someone who doesn’t believe in God, but God says not to be unequally yoked. Your emotions might tell you that the habitual sin in your life isn’t a big deal, but God says don’t play with fire or you’ll get burned. You see the difference and how our emotions feel like the absolute truth when they aren’t?

When our emotions aren’t surrendered to God and his truth, we’re much easier targets for the enemy. Of course, stressful seasons often produce opportunities for big emotions. When I’ve walked through trying times and I don’t know what the next day – or even hour – holds, my emotions can dart around like a pinball. I’m up, down, indifferent and exhausted. But as I’ve grown and matured in my walk, I’ve learned that emotions have a place and it’s at the foot of the cross.

Taking my feelings to Jesus allows me to have stability in the storm. I can experience the highs and lows of life without being controlled by them. So when a stressful conversation gets heated, I don’t have to give in to anger. When disappointment comes, I don’t have to go shopping to feel better. I’ve got joy because I have hope in Jesus and not my circumstances. Can I tell you, though, it’s hard. I have big feelings and they love to fight for control, so surrendering my emotions to God and remembering that what I’m feeling isn’t always the truth of the matter is a daily decision I have to make.

But can I tell you something else? It’s so worth it! The peace and stability that comes when you surrender your emotions to God and live in his truth instead of your feelings is the most freeing experience in the world. When we surrender our emotions to the One who created them, the enemy loses his power to manipulate us and cause chaos in our minds and relationships. Try it and discover a new level of peace.