And I saw another great and astonishing sign in heaven, seven angels having the seven last plagues, because in them the wrath of God has been brought to completion. Rev. 15:1.
The book of Revelation depicts a lot of emotion. The characters in the book are angry (Rev. 12:17; 18:3), are afraid (Rev. 11:13), rejoice (Rev. 18:20; 19:1-6), and become extremely sad (Rev. 18:9-19). But such emotions are not limited to the earthly realm. John portrays God as angry, furious, or wrathful (for example: Rev. 11:18; 14:10, 29; 15:1, 7; 16:1), and so is the Lamb (Rev. 6:16, 17).
Depending on how one tries to catalog them, there are four to six primary emotions. I think all would agree that the primary emotions include (1) happiness, (2) sadness, (3) anger, and (4) fear. Denying ourselves and our loved ones the ability to express our true feelings increases the severity of physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Children who fear expressing their sadness or their anger grow up unable to develop healthy and honest relationships.
God intended feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and joy as a protection and a release. They are part of His design for us. When we deny the reality of what we feel, we force ourselves to live a form of self-deception. It also results in consequences for others. Families fall apart when members suppress feelings for fear of hurting or breaking the relationship. It produces either dishonest relationships or no relationships at all.
A woman in her late fifties had just had an extensive mastectomy. Not only was she frightened, fearful that she might die--she was also extremely sad, grieving for the parts of her body she no longer possessed. In addition, she felt angry that such a terrible thing had happened to her. Emotional, mental, and physical pain flooded her world. Although she wanted desperately to talk about her feelings to her husband, a typical "strong" American male, he would have none of it.
"You'll be fine," he says. "Everything will be all right."
Her husband couldn't express his own fear and anger, so he wouldn't let her do so either. When the chaplain came, he dominated the conversation so the painful emotions couldn't come out. In the process, he robbed his wife of the chance to unburden her soul in the mistaken conviction that strong Christians bear their suffering quietly.
We can begin to achieve God's design by expressing our feelings to God. Jesus did that on the cross (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). God can take it. He prefers an honest disagreement to a dishonest submission! And He already knows how you feel, so it is safe. Feelings can hurt, but they can also bring us healing, togetherness, and love.
Lord, here's how I really feel inside today...
The book of Revelation depicts a lot of emotion. The characters in the book are angry (Rev. 12:17; 18:3), are afraid (Rev. 11:13), rejoice (Rev. 18:20; 19:1-6), and become extremely sad (Rev. 18:9-19). But such emotions are not limited to the earthly realm. John portrays God as angry, furious, or wrathful (for example: Rev. 11:18; 14:10, 29; 15:1, 7; 16:1), and so is the Lamb (Rev. 6:16, 17).
Depending on how one tries to catalog them, there are four to six primary emotions. I think all would agree that the primary emotions include (1) happiness, (2) sadness, (3) anger, and (4) fear. Denying ourselves and our loved ones the ability to express our true feelings increases the severity of physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Children who fear expressing their sadness or their anger grow up unable to develop healthy and honest relationships.
God intended feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and joy as a protection and a release. They are part of His design for us. When we deny the reality of what we feel, we force ourselves to live a form of self-deception. It also results in consequences for others. Families fall apart when members suppress feelings for fear of hurting or breaking the relationship. It produces either dishonest relationships or no relationships at all.
A woman in her late fifties had just had an extensive mastectomy. Not only was she frightened, fearful that she might die--she was also extremely sad, grieving for the parts of her body she no longer possessed. In addition, she felt angry that such a terrible thing had happened to her. Emotional, mental, and physical pain flooded her world. Although she wanted desperately to talk about her feelings to her husband, a typical "strong" American male, he would have none of it.
"You'll be fine," he says. "Everything will be all right."
Her husband couldn't express his own fear and anger, so he wouldn't let her do so either. When the chaplain came, he dominated the conversation so the painful emotions couldn't come out. In the process, he robbed his wife of the chance to unburden her soul in the mistaken conviction that strong Christians bear their suffering quietly.
We can begin to achieve God's design by expressing our feelings to God. Jesus did that on the cross (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). God can take it. He prefers an honest disagreement to a dishonest submission! And He already knows how you feel, so it is safe. Feelings can hurt, but they can also bring us healing, togetherness, and love.
Lord, here's how I really feel inside today...
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