Navigating Negative Emotionsናሙና

Truth and Emotion

Truth is pivotal in how our emotions work. We need to know what is true because we yearn and love to be right. When we feel we have the correct knowledge, a surge of energy runs through us, and we feel we are winners. Something we value (such as truth or purpose) is being activated, and we feel joy and happiness. That is how we were designed. Truth makes us feel like we are walking in our purpose, and it brings us peace of mind. It is one of our deepest felt needs.

Truth is much more than knowing the right answer. The truth is a person. In Jesus Christ resides the truth of all things and situations. The Lord went to great lengths for us to know the truth. He became human so that we might know Him. He also said the Holy Spirit would guide us to all truth. By aligning ourselves with the truth, we participate in God's kingdom and economy.

In the second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells us that God’s people handle the truth with grace. They don’t take positions of intellectual superiority, nor do they use the truth to belittle or crush others; instead, they use it to honor the source of all knowledge and wisdom.

Our emotions span the spectrum from bad to good. Those traditionally labeled as positive can be as destructive as those we label as negative. Every emotion is neutral. It is what we do with it that makes the net gain positive or negative.

God has made us with three parts: body, soul, and spirit. These are not always aligned under the same perspective. Often, our soul wants to use emotion to validate the greatness of self. The Holy Spirit desires to use our emotions to nurture us toward self-awareness, self-governance, and healthy participation in God’s kingdom. Who will win? As we follow what the Spirit desires, we will become more aware and confident in how we respond to situations and people.

Lord, thank You for allowing me to know the truth through You, and for the ability to feel joy and happiness when I steer my life toward what is right. Help me always use wisdom and knowledge to honor You.