“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
Matthew 16:26a
Stewardship of our emotions conclude our series on soul care. Our emotions will control us if we don’t manage our heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” We’re admonished to value and protect our emotions and be diligent to take care of our hearts because life flows from there.
Awareness is the first step to steward our emotions. When something is wrong with our car, the dashboard light turns on. Likewise, our bodies will at times alert us that something needs to be taken care of within our inner selves when we feel physical discomfort. Emotional pain is best dealt with by facing it, instead of stuffing or denying our emotions.
There are various ways we aid our emotional well-being. I became emotionally whole again after I experienced trauma from being in war-torn Afghanistan, by sharing with friends what I saw, heard and felt and by grieving the loss. Pain has to come out. If we don’t choose to deal with it, it will express itself when we least expect it. Instead of having a cap on my emotions, I needed to feel my pain and release it through my tears.
Forgiveness is another avenue to heal our heart. Hurt people hurt people and when we’re on the receiving end of that hurt, it’s imperative to be like the psalmist David and express our feelings to God. Next, we need to choose to forgive those who have hurt us, just as God has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13).
When we’ve experienced loss and disappointment, grieving is the antidote which heals our hearts. As we express our sorrow and shed our tears, we are moving through our grief to get to the other side to embrace what God has for us there. Grief is not a destination but part of the journey God uses to conform us to His Son’s image.
We steward our emotions by first becoming aware of how our heart feels. Secondly, we process our hurts through pouring our hearts out to God and forgiving those who have offended us. Lastly, we grieve our loss. Taking those actions are ways we can steward the emotional part of our souls.
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
3 John 2
Relevant Reflection:
What is one step you can take today to steward your emotions?