Tonight, I was reading a book called, “Competent to Counseling” by Jay Adams. It talks about the feeling and how it influences our behaviors (as well as our thoughts). As if our feeling is our master. As if our feelings determine the truth. As if our feelings know the best.
This feels right.
This feels good.
This makes me happy.
Because it made me happy, this must be morally right.
Yet, our feelings are a mechanism… reaction to certain circumstances, situations, events, incidents, etc. Feelings are created by a hormonal system. Ultimately, it helps with quick action which is best known as fight, flight, froze, fawn, or flock so it is not necessarily a bad thing to resort to the feeling for a quick action.
But… to depend on the feeling to guide… to make a decision… for the truth… to set a worldview based on the feeling… is it a good idea? Let us talk about it a bit.
In that book, it referred to Genesis 4:6-7 which it reads, “So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it”” (NKJV).
Do you notice something? As soon as Cain’s offering was not being received (or accepted), Cain’s mood (feelings) changed (“your countenance fallen”). So in here, Cain’s feelings influence his countenance and then his behavior (ultimately, Cain murdered his own brother out of jealousy; I hope you know jealousy is a feeling/emotion). This is why God commands Cain to master over his feelings so that his thought and behavior will follow.
Think with me… if we made a choice consciously, logically, and judgmental and make our behavior to follow that thought then the feeling will naturally follow. Would that be much better? I would imagine a lot of hurts would be avoided.
Divorce
Mistrustful
Abuse
Steal
Fear-ridden
Abandoned
Greedy
Murder
Addiction
Envy
Betrayal
Lying
And many more
All of that can be avoided if we direct our motive by our thoughts. IF we could ground our thought roots in the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit rule over the throne of emotions, we may experience a different world as we know them.
Is it time to take a new, and better, road where feeling does not rule over us? Are you tired of being controlled by emotions whether it is low or high? Have you had enough of disorders because of irrational feelings? Do we have enough of “Cain” in this world?
Is it time to have a conversation about it? I would love to have a conversation with you. Honestly. And I assure you… I was there. And at a time, I found myself there unintentionally and regrettably. So you are not alone in this struggle, I promise.
Add comment
Comments