We All Have Emotions

We all have emotions – Betty Lacy

God shared with me this last week that He wanted me to begin at least a weekly devotional to our Joy Women’s Ministry blog.  I wasn’t sure if it was the anesthesia talking (I had cataract surgery on Tuesday) or if it was truly God who was trying to get my attention.  Well, after three days I know it was God speaking to me in a very soft voice that can get louder and more forceful when I don’t listen.

This summer our Sunday School class chose to do a video/Bible study entitled He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer.  Today is the first day I have been able to actually see clearly enough to read so I have been doing ‘catch-up’ for tomorrow morning.

The lesson for this week is on emotions.  We all have emotions and it depends on whether or not we want to handle the emotions ourselves or to turn them over to God and let him do all the work.  I tend to want to do it myself and usually wind up with deeper emotions than what I started with.  Unfortunately, my family can attest to this.

During the study today the words began to leap off the page and go directly into my heart.  God is there for me to help me through and all fears, insecurities, grief and whatever else I have taken on as my ‘mantle’ for a season.  This week my precious daughter-in-law, Brittany, reminded me that insecurity and fear are choices and I have to decide not to be enslaved and ruled by these emotions.  With the help of my Heavenly Father, I can do this.  I am not alone in my emotions He is there with me and is waiting for me to ask for His help.

The following is a quote from this week’s study:  God’s promises can act as the catalyst we need to relinquish any consuming emotions.  Are you lonely?  The Lord says, “I am with you always” (Matthews 28:20).  Are you afraid? The Lord says, “My peace be with you” (John 14:27).  Are you anxious or worried?  The Lord says, “Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you (Isa. 54:10).  Are you angry and seeking revenge?  The Lord says, “Vengeance is mine.  I will repay” (Rom. 12:19).

Experiencing emotions is not wrong, letting emotions consume and control us is.  Let God’s promises show you how to think and act.

Until Next Week,
Betty Lacy