God's Emotions--And What They Mean For UsSample

(Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1995.)

Once More, with Feeling

I’m a kind of guy who can wear his emotions on his sleeve, as some say. It has been quite a journey learning how to navigate this dimension of being extra-sensitive and eventually learn to see this quality as a blessing and not a curse. What a roller-coaster ride it has been to learn how to redemptively yield this realm to the Holy Spirit and not let it control me.

Yes, my senses and feelings play a very big part in how I interact with people—and with God. Being a “Feeler” personality type has forced me to be a ponderer when it comes to figuring out how a person like me clicks, let alone fits into the body of Christ. In all of my teachings, I emphasize the idea of laying a firm foundation for faith and life; and in my case, that includes a dogged pursuit to understand what I have come to call the “Feeler realm.”

For the longest time, I had more questions than answers. I wondered: How does my emotional side fit with God’s truth? As a “mature believer,” am I not expected to be sober-minded, circumspect, and slow to anger? Are negative emotions such as fear just plain wrong? Am I supposed to rebuke my passions, die to them, or what? How do joyful and exciting emotions fit into my godly lifestyle? What’s the proper balance between intellect and emotion? 

I also wondered why human emotions seem to get such a bad rap in the church. What does God’s Word say about emotions, and how should I understand what I read there? What is the ideal way to handle my personal emotions? What should emotions look like in the life of a mature believer? Should I consider my emotions to be a help or a hindrance when it comes to serving in God’s kingdom?

Every question raises new ones. Where do all those emotional feelings come from, anyway? Do they reflect the qualities of the Creator in whose image we have been made? In other words, do we worship an emotional Godhead? Or is He purely objective and far removed from the messy business of human interactions? Can we ever know how God feels—assuming He even has emotions? 

During my ponderings over the years, I knew that Jesus showed anger when He drove the moneychangers out of the temple (see, for example, Matthew 21:12–13) and that He also showed compassion and sympathy: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). But isn’t that only because the Son of God was also a man, which puts Him in a different category from the other two persons of the Trinity?

And…are these even the right questions to ask?

One day, I stumbled onto this passage from the prophet Isaiah, and I was surprised and reassured to see such a variety of strong emotions pouring out of the heart of the Lord God:

I [the Lord God] was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So I myself stepped in to save them with my strong arm, and my wrath sustained me.… I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love. He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” And he became their Savior. In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. (Isaiah 63:5, 7–9 NLT)

These verses of Scripture confirmed what I knew was true—our human emotions reflect the emotional aspects of our Creator God. Therefore, emotions must have a vital place in any believer’s life—not just in the lives of us so-called “Feelers.” The fact is, all God’s creatures have a place in the choir, whether they start out singing with “feeling” or not. So, even if you don’t consider yourself to be an emotional person, I encourage you to keep reading and learn what God’s Word has to say on this subject. Discover how sanctified feelings and emotions can deepen your walk with the Lord, enabling you to love and serve Him more fully.

I completely understand that we are supposed to walk by faith and not by sight or by our feelings and emotions. I don’t suggest that we are to just ride the wave of doing what feels good in any given moment. I also don’t think we should be “moody blues” believers. 

In the following devotionals, I cover several aspects of this somewhat slippery and sometimes complex subject of emotions and feelings, providing ways for believers to live comfortably amid the freedoms and boundaries of these everyday pulls and pushes within ourselves and with others.

I’m not a licensed psychologist, but what I do bring to the plate is an integrated approach to life and ministry with years of experience, a degree in basic social work, a doctorate in practical ministry, a certification as a Life Language Coach, a role of adviser to inner healing and counseling ministries, and experience as a consultant for leaders in both the business and church spheres. 

I have devoted much effort to develop a study of how our human emotions help us discern the will of God and act accordingly. It is my great and sincere desire to help people serve the King and His kingdom more freely, not only with their minds but also through their hearts.

Over the years, I felt like a pioneer in new territory, “feeling” my way up various emotional mountains of joy and accomplishment as well as through valleys of disappointment and heartache. Now, I invite you to accompany me on this continuing journey, which is full of excitement and anticipation for what is around the next bend in the road.