Emotions are Essential The Struggle Is Real

Ro 7:14–25 (NLT) -- 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it

18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

22 I love God’s law with all my heart 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Emotions - Definition Emotion=a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feelings usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body (Webster) Emotion= A state of feeling 2. A state of mental agitation or disturbance 3. The part of consciousness that involves feelings; sensibility

Emotions - Definition The soul is defined as the moral and emotional nature of human beings b : the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment c : spiritual or moral force The soul is made up of our mind=your thinker, will=your chooser, and emotions=your feeler The soul has an affinity for negative thoughts and images.

Emotions – The struggle is real The struggle is with what I “want to do” verses “what I do” or what I “have to do”. Emotions just are what they are, neither good or bad. Problem is we don’t know what to do with them.

Emotions – The struggle is real Emotions are Indicators, Not Motivators They help identify issues (positive and negative) Their purpose is not to dictate how we respond but to indicate that a response is necessary. Principles motivate behavior

Emotions R Essential God is emotional (Jer 15:1, Is 1:14, Is 42:1, Ps 103:13) Heb 4:15 (NIV84) -- 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Emotional Health is the Struggle Emotional health is alignment, it is Peace. Jesus said: Jn 14:27 (NLT) -- 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Emotional Health Emotionally healthy people are aligned: Their Heart and Mind are in concert. They are at peace (i.e. absence of conflict) What does emotional health look like? Awareness & Acknowledgment of feelings Proper response to feelings

Emotional Health: What does it look like? Consistency: Holy Spirit lead life Resilience: Ability to face of challenges Expressive: Healthy emotional expressions. Connected: Social interaction/ relationships Positive outlook: Can see the bright side of dark events

Purpose of this Series To be an emotionally healthy Church To cultivate a healthy emotional Life To be in touch with our emotions Properly utilize our emotions