Embracing RestSample

EMOTIONAL REST

Emotions are like the warning lights on our car dashboard. They are simply indicators or messengers. Our emotions tell a story…possibly that something is awry, or something is delightful. Emotions can be messy, but they also can be manageable. They are not permanent, as our feelings can come and go. When our emotions make us feel that a situation is hopeless, we need to remind ourselves that with God, there is always hope! Jeremiah 29:11 says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

We all have emotional needs for love, security, acceptance, and protection. An intimate relationship with the Lord can lead us to a rich place to express feelings authentically and find emotional rest and satisfaction. He promises to strengthen us and uphold us (Is 41:10).

As indicators, our emotions signal that it is time to seek the Lord in prayer for truth and His eternal perspective. Phil 4:6-7 encourage us to be anxious for nothing but to take all of our requests to God. Our emotions should not be left unattended. After we recognize and identify our emotions, we should take them to God and evaluate them in the light of God’s Word. We need to feel them and then practice releasing them. Are your emotions lined up with the ways of the world? Or are they lined up with His truth? Do you need emotional rest by allowing God to renew our minds with Truth?

PRAYER:

“Lord, I am often exhausted and overwhelmed by all the emotions pulsing through my days. I feel happy, then sad, excited then depressed, confident then unsure, faithful then fearful. I am tired. You offer me peace, not as the world offers peace, but a peace beyond all understanding and comprehension. I want that peace. Help me daily to choose to receive Your gift of peace so that I can hover and soar above the chaos of my world. Emotions can be so deceiving and not line up with Your truths. They are fickle and can come and go. Help me to settle on the solid ground of my identity in Your truths. Free me from the bondage of emotional exhaustion.”