Can You Feel It?

Emotions are undeniably part of being human. Jesus was man as man was intended to be and he demonstrated emotions openly. Unlike Christ, all aspects of our nature have been corrupted and now work imperfectly.

Through observation and personal experience I have noticed two distinct applications of emotions: (1) as a tool for motivation or (2) as a tool for interpretation. The first seems more present in individuals who are not redeemed or submitted to the Holy Spirit.

Fear, anger, sadness, happiness or excitement cause decisions to be evaluated, are the main input when taking action or supply the drive for action. This is motivation. Here, we see emotions as the beginning and our response as secondary.

More healthily, emotions can be used to interpret life. In this manner all emotions are engaged to their fullest, including the painful ones. Through this response, life becomes more rich and it is lived more intensely.

Inhibiting emotions altogether cannot be right, since Jesus did not do this. However, Jesus saw beyond his emotions to the Father’s plan and Jesus knew his own purpose, even in day to day living. His life was not directed and motivated by emotions. I want to experience life deeply and therefore intend to use emotions as a tool and submit them to the Spirit in me, not have them direct my course of action.