The worldview book we’re going through with the kids, (“Who Am I?” by Apologia,) uses a phrase in one of the chapters that goes like this:
Emotions are bad drivers.
Emotions are unreliable. They tell us things that are not true. They distort reality. Emotions can make us feel unrealistically good or bad in spite of actual events. They can completely steer us off in the wrong direction. In short: Emotions are bad drivers.
This phrase has kinda stuck with us, and we frequently pull it out in the middle of a difficult situation. This isn’t just true for parenting hormonal pre-teens, though — this is completely applicable in our marriage relationship, too!
I have emotions. My husband has emotions. Everyone has emotions! Emotions themselves are not bad, it’s what we DO in response to our emotions that *can* be bad. How do we respond when our feelings try to take over and do the driving? We focus on the truth. The truth does not change. The truth is constant.
God loves me. God forgives me. God loves my HUSBAND. God forgives him, too. My husband loves God and me and wants the best for us. And so on, and so forth. Also true: Satan does not love God or us or want the best for us; he will do anything and everything to ruin our relationship with God and each other! His tactics include, but are not limited to, using our emotions against us.
When you feel yourself getting emotional and the feelings beginning to overwhelm you, ask yourself: “What is TRUE here?” Base your TRUE upon the WORD. We know what is true by knowing the Word. We know from His Word that God does not want us to seek revenge but forgiveness and reconciliation. We do not have to be ruled by our emotions, our sin. If we are bought with the blood of Jesus, the truth is available to us and we are free from the roller coaster life of emotional decision making.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8: 31-36
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8
Marriage Minute
Photo Background Source: Aqua Effect by George Hodan
