Unmet Emotional Needs Will Turn Us Away From God
To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, You are my father. To an idol chiseled from a block of stone they say, You are my mother. They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me, Come and save us!
But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are towns in Judah.Jeremiah 2:27-28 NLT
An idol is something other than God that we rely on for emotional support. In Old Testament times, these idols were often physical objects that people worshipped and looked to for security, protection, and care while turning their backs on God.
Idolatry is insulting to God and hurtful . Its also useless these objects cant actually help us in times of trouble.
When I read the Old Testament, what stands out to me is that the idolatry of Gods people often started with unmet emotional needs. They were afraid, needed protection, faced threats to their physical well-being, and didnt feel in control of their future.
I relate to all of these feelings, especially in the chaotic times we live in today. But it serves as a warning to me that if I dont learn to connect emotionally with God and rely on him emotionally, I will eventually turn away from him.
While idols today for me dont take the form of physical stone or wood objects, idolatry can run rampant in my heart while I dont even notice.
These are some of my most common idols:
Emotions Can Be A Gateway To Experiencing God
Ive been described as emotional many times , and I usually see it as a negative thing. It implies to me being overrun, irrational, weak, and out of control. But actually, being emotional can be a great asset to your relationship with God.
Emotions can help us connect with and experience God in a healthy way on an emotional level, as David did:
King Davids song when he was exiled in the Judean wildernessO God of my life, Im lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that cant be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God!
Im energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory. For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul. With passion I pursue and cling to you. Because I feel your grip on my life, I keep my soul close to your heart.Psalm 63:1-5,8 TPT
Expressing our own emotional needs is not about taking from God or using God as a dumping ground for all our feelings. Its about recognizing our need for him.
Expressing our emotions honestly to God will help us feel his grip on our life.
Powerful Bible Verses About Feeling Alone
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Have you ever felt like you are alone?
I believe we all have at some time.
What does the Bible say about feeling alone?
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Feeling alone can come out of nowhere.
Sometimes it feels like our prayers dont get above the ceiling.
It is depressing when we feel alone.
However, I am thankful for the lonely dry spells I have been through.
At least now I am.
I am thankful because I learned so much about Gods unfailing love and faithfulness.
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How To Live By Faith Over Feelings
The first verse that pops into my mind is this:
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5b NIV.
Taking our thoughts captive means putting them in jail, so to speak.Take a time out, take a breath and renew your mind. –
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT.
The Holy Spirit has a huge part to play in this process. He convicts us of feelings that go against Gods desires for us. But we need to pause and listen to Him, not continue to ruminate on the emotion or feeling. Dont ignore them, but dont feed into them either.
Take an honest look at why you are feeling the way you do. Then explain it all to Him, dont hold back!
Trust In Him
Trust in him at all times, you people pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV.
Speak to God about your emotion/feeling. Pour it out to Him. Ask Him for His help in conquering this emotion and ask for His peace to rule in your heart. . Release your emotion into His hands.
Wait on God
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV.
Hide the Word in Your Heart
Be like David: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV.
Living By The Certainty Of Faith
Were called to not live by our feelings but by faith . Our faith is rock solid if we have placed it in Godthe unchanging, perfect, eternal, sovereign One. And this faith is founded on the infallible, certain, life-changing, authoritative Word of God. Scripture tells us how to live and what to believe. This is what should govern and determine how we speak, think, and actnot our ever-changing, easily influenced feelings. Our faith is not blind but informed and guided by Gods perfect Word.
Sometimes these two can be mixed up we try to live by both faith and feeling. We may say, I am going to be a missionary, regardless of the Bible telling me that the church needs to confirm me, because I feel like thats what Im called to do . . . Im going to marry this person, despite the fact that the Bible tells me not to marry an unbeliever, because it feels right . . . I wont forgive this person, even though the Bible tells me to forgive, because I dont feel like I can.
We often allow our feelings to dictate our stance with God rather than what His Word already declares about us. I dont feel forgiven by God, so He must still be angry with me. I dont feel joy, so I will not worship God. I dont feelGods presence, even though I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I dont feel God when I do my Bible study, so I must be doing something wrong.
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What The Bible Says About Depression
Dr. Tim AllchinFor Those Giving Help, For Those Seeking Hope
Editors Note: This article is part of our series on finding hope in the midst of depression. In this series, our counselors are helping people understand the reality of depression and how God sustains and helps those who are depressed.View the Series Page here.
As depression becomes more common and more talked about in society, many Christians are wondering what the Bible says about depression.
Depression can be very difficult to express or understand. We hear more and more people talking about depression, and see more people struggling with it.
Listen to the way that some who are going through depression describe what they are going through:
- Whenever I have a good few months and I think Ive gotten over the worst on my depression, it silently returns. This isnt a battle I asked to fight. Im tired of knowing its always coming back.
- Iwanted to write down exactly what I felt but somehow the paper stayed empty andI could not have described it any better.
- No one realizes how strong someone with depression has to be just to do daily stuff like shower, brush hair, or get out of bed.
- When youre depressed, you dont control your thoughtsyour thoughts control you. I wish people would understand this.
- I am not using my depression as an excuse. Trust me, Id give anything to function normally on a day-to-day basis.
What Does The Bible Say About Feelings
The Bible is filled with stories of people who made some very poor decisions based on their emotions.
- Jonah ran away from God and found himself in the belly of a whale.
- Samson let his raging emotions get the best of him and lost his strength and his eyesight.
- David allowed his feelings of lust and desire to lead him to commit adultery and murder.
However, these stories are not examples of how we should live. The Bible is filled with stories of heroic faith. Of people who followed God even when they were scared, sad or angry. Gods Word is filled with examples of people who put their feelings aside, followed Gods leading and trusted Him in difficult times.
Just because I may feel useless, hopeless, unlovable, and worthless doesnt mean I am. This might seem obvious to some, but emotions can be convincing.
Recognize feelings for what they are: feelings not facts, not the truth, not edicts.
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What Does The Bible Say About Grief
Grief is an emotion given by God. It is a way for us to express deep sorrow and pain at a loss. Throughout the Bible we see Gods people express this deep emotion. David expressed grief throughout the Psalms. Even the disciples were grieved when Jesus told them that he would be betrayed and killed.
The disciples were filled with grief.
In our broken world, grief is an emotion experienced by everyone at some point throughout their lives. In our grief God is near. He sees your pain, walks with you through it, and gives his purpose and presence to it.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Limits On Sexual Pleasure
God reserves sexual relations for marriage mates only, as Hebrews 13:4 shows: Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Married couples must be faithful and maintain their commitment to each other . They find the greatest delight, not by pursuing selfish gratification, but by applying the Bible principle: There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.Acts 20:35.
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Letting Go Of The Past
Here are two very good verses on God wanting us to let go of the things in our past and to continue to press forward to accomplish His perfect divine plan for our lives. The first verse is from the apostle Paul and the second verse is coming direct from Jesus Himself.
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. But Jesus said to him, No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Life is simply way too short to be wallowing in the hurts and injustices of your past. God will be righting all of the wrongs ever done to you in this life. This is why you can fully let go of your past and start fully living again in your present.
Understand The Seasons: Ecclesiastes : 1 4
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to weep, and a time to laugh a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
There really is a season for everythingeven showing your emotions. A sense of freedom comes when youre willing to laugh openly, cry freely, and let your honest feelings show. Understanding the seasons simply means you live with clarity about what is going on around you and respond authentically.
For example: As things in the world grow darker by the day, you address your feelings of sorrow or frustration instead of ignoring them. Its not that you jump on social media and shout your opinion to the world, but rather, you admit that things are uncertain and connect with people who are feeling the same way.
Understand the season youre in and resist the urge to hide. Ask God for discernment. Pray for understanding so that when your God-given emotions rise to the surface, youll be willing to let them out instead of pushing them back down. In fact, others might need to see that youre struggling too.
Gracious God, thank You for different times and seasons as well as emotions. Help me discern the times and allow my emotions to show within Your guidance and provision. By doing this, Ill likely find that others are feeling the same way. No matter what is going on around me, help me to live authentically and faithfully. I trust You in all things.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
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What Does The Bible Say About Emotions And Feelings
What does the bible say about feelings? Every single one of us has experienced a burst of emotion. It can be triggered by a moment of intense excitement, or it can come from a deep and overwhelming sadness. We can become consumed by our feelings, and we may stop thinking logically. Emotion can be a very powerful thing, but it can also be a dangerous thing. When we let our feelings control us, we may sometimes start to believe that our feelings are facts.
Are our feelings facts?
Feelings and emotions are apart of us they can be very uplifting, motivational and fun and yet very dark, broken and sometimes evil.
Do you ever find yourself being pulled by your feelings? Living by faith, by the spirit, is so important to our peace and happiness. God promises to give us peace beyond our understanding. When we live by faith, then we can have that peace. When we live by faith, knowing what the bible says about feelings, we are allowing God to guide us. We are living for God and by his promises and not living by a rollercoaster of emotions.
Bible Verses About Feeling Worthless
The thought of a Christian feeling worthless and unworthy is a lie from no one other than the devil. Hes been a liar from the beginning and hes trying to stop you from doing Gods will for your life. Resist the devil by putting on the full armor of God.
You were bought with a price. God brought Jesus to die for you, God loves you, God is near you, God encourages you, God loves to listen and answer your prayers, God has a plan for you, so how are you worthless?
God knows your name. He knows every single thing about you. Would God come to live inside someone who is worthless? Do you know how big God is?
Jesus was thinking about you when He died for you! He has not forsaken you. God might seem silent, but He is working. He will continue to work in your life until the end.
Out of love He has engraved your name on His palm. When have you ever heard of a master putting the name of the servant on Him?
When you feel like youre not good enough trade in all those lies for these feeling worthless Bible verses.
Quote
- Remember, God knows about every tear which comes to our eyes. Christ cares and is concerned about us. Your heartaches are known to Him. Lee Roberson
Are you worthless? Lets find out!
1. 1 Corinthians 6:20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
3. Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds. They dont plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And arent you far more valuable to him than they are?
Reminders
Also Check: Historical Order Of The Bible
Your Emotions Are A Gauge Not A Guide
Remember, your emotions are a gauge, not a guide. Feelings are not facts. Theyre not meant to lead ustheyre simply an indicator of something in your life.
This doesnt mean we shouldnt be emotional. Jesus showed emotion during his ministry on earth, but he knew how to control his emotions and not allow them to lead.
John Piper, from Desiring God, says this:
God designed your emotions to be gauges, not guides. Theyre meant to report to you, not dictate you. The pattern of your emotions will give you a reading on where your hope is because they are wired into what you believe and value and how much. Thats why emotions like delight , affection , fear , anger , joy , etc., are so important in the Bible. They reveal what your heart loves, trusts, and fears. At Desiring God we like to say pleasure is the measure of your treasure, because the emotion of pleasure is a gauge that tells you what you love. Desiring God
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What Does The Bible Say About Kissing
1 Corinthians 7:2-9
What does the Bible say about kissing before marriage? Here are 3 things God wants you to know about kissing as a Christian.
1. God Does Not Want You to Kiss in a Sexual Way Before Marriage
Theres something about humans that love lists and specific formulas. When it comes to physical intimacy, Christians routinely try to come up with lists of approved and unapproved signs of affections that dating couples can follow. But nowhere in the Bible will you find such a rigid outline of specific physical actions.
What you will find in the Bible, however, are very clear principles that will make it obvious whether or not an action is pleasing or displeasing to God. When it comes to acts of physical intimacy, like kissing, I believe there are two biblical principles that will help you determine what God is saying to you.
I believe these principles are found in 1 Corinthians 7:2-9, which states:
So what does the Bible say about kissing? Well, it doesnt say Though shall never kiss anyone you are not married to. But it does say you should not have any sexual experiences with anyone besides your spouse.
Therefore, be cautious. Be honest with yourself and with God. If its sexual and you are single, its sin.
2. God Does Want You to Want to Kiss the Person You Would Like to Marry
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