Matters of the Heart (Part 1)
Let’s talk about emotions…
the ones that do not feel good, the ones that we know are not good for us and yet they can come up time and time again… And how they often lead us to seek or even give, forgiveness time and time again.
Let’s talk about anger and even frustration. Recently, I went through a very challenging few weeks and I only say that to say, God is so faithful. He brought me out of it with such blessings and breakthrough that He only could do. I don’t know who needs of hear this but keep seeking God through all the moments and all the feelings. He may be pruning us and that is necessary in this faith walk. Because even in the midst of many emotions, I do believe God was using it all to grow such beauty. Still, I had to seek Him. I had to seek God time and time again, leaning into Him in order to see it and receive it.
It is about the moments, even the hard ones. Sometimes, the simplest days and moments make for the best memories if we are open and available for them, not weighed down with what is not from God.
“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:47-50 NIV)
This is a summary of Jesus’ mission.
He reminds us of keeping our eyes on eternity, and our eyes on Him as we make the most of right now. It brings up the topic of priorities for me and how we have one life to live. We are shaped by our perspective and priorities.
Earthly priorities must be led by an eternal perspective.
And thinking of those first words… “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them…” it got me reflecting…
What words do we know and what do we keep?
What do we make excuses for and if we do, what is the reason for those excuses?
Does my life model faith in action?
It’s great to know what our priorities should be or to even know and be able to recite scriptures. But what good does it do if we don’t put it into practice, if we don’t model it in our lives?
What keeps us from doing that though?
from modeling it
from faith in action…
This reflection led me to reflect on the emotions that Jesus felt like compassion in John 11 and in general. Because He felt it, we can find comfort that He knows what we feel and how hard it can be. Still, emotions can hold us back. In fact, those emotions in this world can hold us back from hearing God’s Word and also from keeping them stored in our hearts and minds… and doing them.
Oh the feelings
Emotions like anger can creep in, in many ways. I’ve seen it destroy relationships and even more.
Anger opens the door to sin.
So what do we do when we recognize the negative emotion like anger?
1. First of all, recognize it. Acknowledging it is indeed the first step. So recognize it. Admit to it.
2. Surrender it to God. It’s in the relationship. In the real conversations with God… in the simple talks with Him about the complex emotions.
3. Realize it is a choice. We need to remember and reflect on it but we don’t need to dwell there. We can’t let routines becomes the core of what we do or the reason we do it. We need to be intentional and sometimes that intentionality will lead us to face that anger or the unforgiveness directly even if it at ourselves. We need to face it.
Forgiveness
There is freedom in forgiveness.
It reminds me of the quote and there are different versions of it about anger. One is this… “Being angry and resentful of someone is like letting them live rent-free in your head.” ~ George Foreman
Suppressing and ignoring it doesn’t allow healing. However, surrendering it to God can.
Listen… I am tough on myself. I always have been. It brings me to times after sports when my dad would drive me home from a game and I would spill out everything I did wrong. That wasn’t necessarily a terrible thing to do, to reflect on what I could do better. However, spinning and sitting in it and replaying the mistakes over and over again is. I know it is bigger than that. There are greater issues but at the time that was huge for me. It is always relative and I pray we remember that with others and even our children.
What is small for one may not be so small for all.
And also…
There can be things we did wrong.
There can be things others did wrong.
We can get it out and talk about it. We should. There are people who want to listen and care enough too. There are licensed doctors, therapists and people trained and gifted in this area too if needed. Recently, I walked through a circumstance and season that got me thinking about this. What do we do after we recognize the emotion? After we discuss it…
Do we reject what is unhealthy for us, releasing it to God and allowing Him to help us with it?
He knows our heart… And He loves us so much. We can and should invite Him in to whatever it is before us today.
“the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 147:11 NIV)
Therefore, the first THE ART OF A MESSY HOUSE challenge for today is this: You know that thing on your mind or heart… pause and invite God into it. Talk to Him about it. Make the time today even if it is for a few minutes to specifically ask Him about it. Even if it is a doubt or worry, don’t hide it. God knows. He wants to help. He delights in our seeking and in our trust.
I was reminded on the morning that I organized and prepared this post that God hears it ALL. He answers. He loves. And He cares.
Dear God,
You know my heart. You see this. You know what is best. Help me. I invite You into this very moment and into this very day. What do I do with this? What do I not do? Help guide me step by step. Guard my mouth and heart from what is not good. Fill me with all You have for me. Thank You for Your clarity and wisdom. I praise You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
He will help when we seek Him… if we ask Him and if we listen. Sometimes, it just takes the simple conversations.
God, I need help.
Lord, help me with this.
So do we slow down to seek God…
OR do we spiral with it and replay that thing over and over again?
What we spend our time on matters
Are we harping on the anger? Or whatever it is… the fleeting emotions and things of this world? Or are our eyes on eternity? Our priorities here on earth must be guided by perspective on an eternity. Our time here matters.
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:19 NIV)
We bury our talents when we waste time. Think back to the parable of the bags of gold and how we can bury our talents when we waste our time harping and holding the anger too, or any emotion that is not good for us. We must be be smart and intentional with our time because what we put our time into will flourish.
So let’s do another challenge. The second Art of a Messy House challenge takes us back to the power of priorities (episode 6 on the podcast).
What do we need to spend less time doing and what do we need to spend more time?
Who in my life do I need to spend more time with ? How can I do that?
Brainstorm ideas.
Invite God into the brainstorming.
Maybe it will be to have a date with that person, that child, or even to call them. Send a card or a gift. Learn how they show and receive love. Is it through words, gifts, quality time, touch and/or acts of service? Learn their love language.
And it brings me back to the scripture that began this message…
it is more then just knowing, it is doing
and also once again to Matthew 25:14-21 with the parable of the bags of gold.
We need to use what the Lord has entrusted us with to serve and love Him, and others. When we allow emotions like angry to sneak in, it not only weighs us down, it clouds our minds and focus and opens the door for sin. I certainly don’t want that.
So today let’s recognize whatever emotion it is that is not good for us, reject it and surrender it to God. Replacing it with Truth.
This leads me to John 13 and deeper into the topic of emotions such as anger which I’ll share in next week’s blog post. Stay tuned for part 2. ♡
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:14-21 NIV)
Let’s pray…
Dear God,
You are our Healer and our Helper. Help us with the emotions like anger and frustration. Heal us. We want what You have for us. We love You. We want to be good stewards of love and use what you have gifted us to bring You glory. And sometimes it is hard and heavy because we are carrying what we are not meant to hold. So I pause now and surrender that to You. Heal me. Protect me from what the enemy wants to use to pull me away. I draw near to You and I know and believe You can heal and use the pain for purpose. I love You Lord and give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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God bless!
