Taking Your Emotional Temperature
Emotions are difficult to navigate in this time of great uncertainty, change, and information. They are so strong and fear seems to be the inescapable environment that surrounds us as new information continually comes at us. God’s words, “Don’t be anxious” seem like an impossible burden rather than comfort. It is important to have a biblical understanding of emotions in order to navigate this time well.
Four Lies About Emotions
1. We should only have good/positive emotions.
Emotions are a gift from God who made us in His image. The Bible reveals to us a God who feels. It does not rate emotions as good or bad but the expression of them as sinful or righteous. They are righteous when they are displayed in a God-like way. Is the intensity and emotion appropriate to the situation and the truths of God’s Word? The Bible tells us to hate evil and love good (Psalm 119:163; Romans 12:9). When there is danger we should fear (Proverbs 22:3; Luke 12:4-5). We are to rejoice and mourn with each other (Romans 12:15).
2. We should force our emotions to change by sheer will power: “Just stop being afraid.”
The Bible tells us emotions are a byproduct of thinking and acting (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:4-9). It would be hard for you to get angry at me right now unless you can think of a reason to be angry with me. Your feelings of anger come as a result of your thoughts. This is true with feelings of fear or sadness. Peace will not come by reminding oneself not to be anxious. It will create more anxiety. Emotions are changed when we are changed by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
3. We can’t help or change our feelings/emotions.
Think of a time when you were very angry, maybe even mid-explosion, and your phone beeps. You are no longer thinking about what made you angry, you have a new desire to look at your phone and know what is happening. The new thought of looking at your phone changes your actions and emotions. You might even find yourself laughing out loud at a funny toilet paper meme. The fear is gone as you wonder, “Will someone really wear toilet paper earrings?” Emotions do not control us. They change in response to the things that we think. They are the natural result of our thought process (Philippians 4:4-9). See diagram below.
4. We shouldn’t go against our emotions.
Feelings are not an indicator of truth. Truth is an objective reality that is outside of me. God is Truth and His Word is truth even if it does not feel like it. When my emotions tell me things are out of control, I feel the need to do something to protect myself like buying all the supplies I can. Biblical truth tells me nothing is out of God’s control and God is good, wise, and loving in all He does (Psalm 135:6; Romans 8; Ephesians 1).
Understanding Emotions
Emotions are a byproduct of our thoughts and actions. Jay Adams describes emotions as a thermometer because, “they report the temperature of your soul as you interact with life.” A thermometer’s job is to measure the temperature; it cannot change the temperature. In order to change the temperature, we need another tool to turn on the heat or the a/c. Our thoughts are this tool; they act like a thermostat that sets the temperature.
When we think biblically about ourselves, God, and others, we will respond with God honoring actions and feelings. In order to maintain a good room temperature, we need to diligently take in and think on biblical truth. Jay Adams has said, “Biblical thinking sets the desired temperature then our emotions report the actual temperature.” When we daily or hourly take in information about the Covid-19 pandemic that is not filtered through the truths of the Word of God, the temperature of the room will change very quickly. Think of your mom telling you, “Close the door. Are you trying to heat the outside?”
One more article or the latest information will not calm the soul no more than avoiding everyone and everything can calm the soul. Fear is a right response to danger. It is the energy that moves us to wise responsible action to protect against danger. The Covid-19 pandemic should be responded to with wise, God honoring, responsible action—action for our responsibilities and the things we are directly responsible to do. It is dishonoring to God and irresponsible to disregard our responsibilities. We can and should wash our hands (when they are dirty) and stay home when we are sick. Understanding that we have no power over contracting a virus or the length of our life or others—these things are our cares. We have no responsibility or power to affect the outcome of our cares. We are to pray and cast our cares on God, who cares for His children.
Four Ways to Honor God with Your Emotions
1. Take your temperature.
Evaluate your emotional response by comparing it to Scripture and asking a Sister in Christ what she observes. What thoughts are impacting your temperature? Are they true and God honoring?
2. Maintain the correct temperature.
Stay connected to God and His people. Study your Bible by carefully reading through an entire book and recording what you learn about God. Contact others through the various resources God has given us and talk about God—not just the virus..
3. Pray for yourself and others.
Pray for your family, church family, government leaders, first responders, health care professionals, and families at home together. Pray for physical and spiritual needs.
4. Think on the right goal.
God’s goal for our lives is to glorify Him as we change into the image of Christ. God’s purpose for trouble is not for us to just get through it but to be changed by it. What has this trial revealed that God wants to change in you?
One thought that can affect our emotions is, “When will this end so things can go back to normal?” I pray that we will not just go back to the “new normal” but we will be forever changed to be more like Christ in our thoughts, actions and feelings because of the Covid-19 crisis.