Well folks, how's this for sad? My first post in over a year! Wow, anyway I finally found another one of those round tuits so I'm back to posting (Hopefully!).
So this has been kind of a rough week, but with God's help I've made it through. But it got me to thinking about emotions and how we deal with them. Specifically about negative emotions. Many times we hide our emotions behind a mask of cheerfulness or at least tolerance. And after awhile all the hurts and frustrations build up into a huge depressing weight, then all that pent up emotion has to go somewhere and so we vent.
Venting is a normal part of dealing with our negative emotions, and is actually healthy when not carried to extremes. Many times in the Psalms we see David venting to God, sometimes even to the point of what seems to be almost yelling at Him. We all need to vent sometimes to relieve the pressure of all the cares and concerns that build up around us. That's one of the many reasons why its important to have family and friends who will listen to us even when we go back over the same incident over and over and over again.
But I've found that God is an even better listener than friends or family. Even though we can't hear Him talk to us audibly, we have a 66 part Book that tells us all the things He would probably say to us in person, if we just open our hearts and listen. There are hundreds, if not thousands, (I haven't checked personally) of beautiful promises in the Bible that can be just as comforting and soothing as the gentle touch and listening ear of our loved ones here on earth.
Females don't usually have a hard time letting down their emotional guard when they need to vent. But for those guys who may be thinking: "Psh! I'm tougher than that! I don't need go cry or show my emotions." yes even you need to let it all out sometimes :-). Contrary to popular culture, big boys can, do, and should cry every now and then. It's all a part of being human in a sinful world and healing the emotional wounds.
So the next time you're feeling like you're going completely bananas with whatever situation you're facing, find a friend who will listen to you rant and rave for awhile and then offer reassurance and a few words of advice. Or just go off by yourself and let it all out to God, the Ultimate Listener, and let His presence comfort you. Having done it myself a time or two, I know how much better you'll feel after it's over.
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for being the Ultimate Listener. You're there to listen to my cry 24/7, 365 days a year, and you never grow weary. Help me to come to you more often with my fears, hurts and frustrations. You know the end from the beginning and will always be there to guide my footsteps in the straight and narrow path. Bless my friends and family and help them to realize that only you can heal the wounds that life inflicts.
In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen
