Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

There’s a universal understanding that our emotions can be very misleading. Magazines have articles about it. Podcasts have been started based off of what we feel while like-minded sheep flock to listen. Phrases have been coined from clinging to our emotions such as: “I’m just speaking my truth.” In a world that promotes and pushes us to live in our emotions, how should the Christian life be different?

As Christians, we are charged with the duty of being the salt of the earth. This means that how we live our lives should be a reflection of Christ, not our emotions. We aren’t different because we are good people. The world needs to see that we are different because of Who we have given our life to and that’s God. A life surrendered to Christ is a life that is no longer driven by emotions.

As I mentioned earlier, our feelings can be very misleading. God isn’t telling us not to feel anything. He understands that we will face sorrow, pain, and anger as we journey through life. When those experiences come, we have to make a conscious effort to allow ourselves to feel without falling into sin (Eph. 4:26). Our right to be angry does not mean we are given the okay to be led by anger. Remember, that our emotions are still flesh based. We can be angry about the right things and still sin if we are not careful. Just as well with sadness. I had to learn that God cares about my sorrow but being sad can lead to depression when I am not surrendering my thoughts to God. That’s when the complaining, self-pity, and doubt start to attach itself to what started out as genuine sadness. It’s an easy trap to get caught in which is why we must be alert and prayerful at all times as The Word teaches us in Luke 21:34-36.

So how do we manage these emotions? If we shouldn’t be led by them, then why does it feel so good? I know anger may appear that you feel stronger but real strength is in restraint. The Word teaches us to be led by His Spirit because the flesh will drive us to utter destruction. This is how we manage our emotions by submitting how we feel under the power and rule of God in those moments. Remember that those feelings are fleeting. It’s only momentarily. Now, I’m not overlooking those who face traumatic experiences. Scientifically, most traumatic experiences, if not all affects the brain in various ways which is why it is so important to seek God and godly counseling when needed. There are licensed professionals who also love Jesus that can walk you through what you’re feeling so that those past experiences will not continue to dictate how you live your life.

Being the salt of the earth is not just a clever description for Christians. It’s not to make us appear superior. Salt doesn’t just provide flavor. It enhances, sharpens, and gives savor to what was bland and lacked richness. This is exactly how life looks and feels without Jesus. No matter what we achieve or how much good we do, life will still be bland as if something is missing. Christian’s living as Christ, not in perfection, but devotion will distinctly deliver the message that Jesus is what’s missing because the world will see us face the same things that they face but differently.

We all just came out of a taxing pandemic. What a wonderful opportunity to witness and display salt to such a distasteful experience! If you’ve been giving your emotions free reign, I hope this touches your heart to repent and give God His rightful seat on the throne of your heart. He has a better way of handling what you have been through and what you will face in the future. It’s time to live a redeemed and delivered life and not just talk or read about it. The blandness of this works is stunningly increasing. How unfortunate would it be to profess Christianity for years with little evidence of what we believe actually being true. The evidence is in our life. We tend to chase after the burning bush miracles while missing the every day moments God wants to use for His glory. Let’s choose to be fulfilled in Christ and not full of our feelings.

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to feel emotions. We now understand that what we feel may not always represent what is true. Help us to remember Your Truth in difficult and grievous times. Let us not forfeit the opportunity to look like You in our daily walk with You. Use our circumstances as evidence just as You’ve done Job. We want to hear well done my good and faithful servant and not be a castaway because of our lack of self control. We lay down our lives again today. As this week begins, we surrender again to Your Will for our lives and won’t be carried away with what looks or feels good to us in the moment. We need You, Jesus and we love You! In all these things we pray and believe it as being done because You keep Your Word! Thank You JESUS, amen!