Emotional Reactivity

One of the great blessings of being created in the image of God is emotions or feelings. But they become a curse if we do not master them or bring them under the authority of the principles that Christ has presented to us. Humans have a broad spectrum of feelings. We can feel safe and secure, or we can feel anxious. We can feel affectionate or cold.  We may feel angry, frustrated, irritated, alienated, apathetic, humiliated [not to be confused with humility], embarrassed, lonely, depressed, fearful, peaceful, joyful, or content. Desire is a feeling, as well as hatred, hopefulness or hopelessness.  And you can probably add to this list.  There is much unnecessary suffering in our world because of our tendency to act out of our feelings.  If a child feels angry, he may physically attack his adversary.  If a woman feels angry, she may verbally lash out in an attempt to hurt her husband, who may respond by verbally or physically counter-attacking. One of the important characteristics of Christian maturity is mastery of feelings. And it is a perpetual challenge for us.  Humans have many powerful impulses fed by feelings that, if acted out, bring suffering into our lives and the lives of our loved ones. We have to do much remedial work--rebuilding trust, affection, etc.--because of the failure to control these impulses.  Jesus taught and lived principles that are contrary to many of our feelings. He taught us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us [Mt. 5:22]. The Bible teaches us not to return evil for evil, but rather to overcome evil with good [Rom. 12:21f].  These principles are counter to our impulses.  But they are incredibly practical in that they bring resolution to human conflict rather than escalating it. We need the power of Christ's Spirit in us to overcome the acting out of these destructive impulses.  We have a tendency to justify our actions that are based on feelings rather than the principles of Christ.  "I'm sorry I said those things to you, but I was just so stressed out by my work."  "I wouldn't have said those things if you had not been so disrespectful to me."  "I wouldn't have had the affair if you had been loving me better." Etc. ad nauseum.  These rationalizations or excuses are like saying, "I wouldn't have shot myself in the leg if....whatever" because each time we act inappropriately out of feelings  we set ourselves back in the progress of our life and relationships.  We diminish the quality of our own lives, and then we make excuses for doing it. Jesus chose to suffer because it fulfilled the principle of love for the human family--you and I. He did not feel  like doing it.  And God related to us through Paul that it was for joy that he made this choice [Heb. 12:2].
Paradoxically, when we live by our feelings, we create misery; but when we live by the principles of Christ, we discover true joy and peace--the greatest feelings of all.