In Luke, chapter 24, we can see a lot of emotion going on. Some women, finding the tomb empty, ran to tell the apostles, but they didn’t believe them so Peter ran to look and then went home, wondering what had happened. Two of the guys headed to Emmaus and Jesus came along and asked why they were sad. They told Him that Jesus was killed, etc. Jesus called them foolish (silly; unwise) and slow of heart to believe. They recognized Him at that point and He disappeared. Then they said, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us when He spoke?”
They went to the 11 apostles and told them about it and Jesus showed up! “Peace be unto you.” He said. They were terrified.
Luke 24:38 And He said unto them, “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?”
There are more instances where those closest to Him are all emotional and worried and upset. I don’t stand in judgment, but say, “Lord, judge me in this feelings trap.”
I’ve had a LOT of practice lately about getting out of feelings mode. If you’re around me enough or read my posts, you’ll hear me say, “You need to get out of your head.”, or “Get off the hamster wheel in your head.” It’s thought life guys. It will help or hinder you, and you get to choose.
Look at Paul’s encouragement:
Philippians 4:8 And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Fix your thoughts on Him! He’s all of the above.
I normally don’t go into psychological explanations, but I want to show scientifically how emotions are connected to the brain, heart and body.
- Feelings originate in the brain, causing emotions shaped by our own beliefs, memories, and thoughts connected to that emotion.
- A feeling is the side product of your brain perceiving an emotion and assigning a certain meaning to it.
3. Heart and mind are intimately connected. Negative states of mind, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, anger and chronic stress, may increase the risk for heart disease or worsen existing conditions.
Please know my heart. I’m sharing, not because I have to be right, but to help. If you can get this, it will help you so very much. You’ve got to stay out of your head, and stop running to ask others what they think and rehashing stuff that distresses you over and over. It will save you a lot of grief in your mind, heart and body.
“The worst evils of life are those which do not exist except in our imagination. <Charles Spurgeon>
2 Samuel 22:29-30 O Lord,You are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness. In Your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
Crush that army of thoughts and scale the wall that keeps you from seeing as He sees. If you don’t…
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
Psalm 107:10 Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.
It doesn’t say, “Jesus is going to take away all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander.” YOU get rid of it. I can get myself into a tizzy if I get into my head. Have you ever had a conversation with someone that’s not even in the room?! Get rid of it!
Ephesians 4:23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
Remember Philippians 4:8 and think on Him.
Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.
Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
Acts 3:20a Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord…
Everything you need is in you…Him! 1John 4:4. You are victorious, not victims, whether because of others or your own thought life.
Psalm 104:1 Praise the LORD, I tell myself; O LORD my God, how great You are! You are robed with honor and with majesty;
Job 33:4 For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me Life.
Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing stream.
Father, help us to see when we are working ourselves up. Let it be to You that we run for advice and help. Thank You for the peace that passes all understanding, Jesus, our Peace, as we fix our eyes and thoughts on you. Help us to see with Your eyes, Abba. We praise You forever more, for You are truly greater than our feelings. Amen.