The Torah Network

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FEELINGS

HONESTLY EXPRESSING OUR FEELINGS TO YHVH KEEPS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

“I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. I must complain in my bitterness”. (Job 7:11) Job felt deep anguish and bitterness and he spoke honestly to YHVH about his feelings to let out his frustrations. If we express our feelings to YHVH, we can deal with them without exploding in harsh words and actions, possibly hurting ourselves and others. The next time strong emotions threaten to overwhelm you, express them openly to YHVH in prayer. This will help you gain an eternal perspective on the situation and give you greater ability to deal with it constructively.

YESHUA IS OUR EXAMPLE OF HOW TO HANDLE FEELINGS.

“When Yeshua saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, He was moved with indignation and was deeply troubled”. (John 11:33) John stresses that we have YHVH who cares. This portrait contrasts with the Greek concept of YHVH that was popular in that day; YHVH with no emotions and no messy involvement with humans. Here we see many of Yeshua’ emotions; compassion, indignation, sorrow and even frustration. He often expressed deep emotion and we must never be afraid to reveal our true feelings to Him. He understands them, for He experienced them. Be honest and don’t try to hide anything from your Saviour. He cares.

YHVH OFTEN ASKS US TO ACT IN SPITE OF OUR FEELINGS.

“Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good”. (Romans 12:21) In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies? (1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation. (2) It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways. (3) By contrast, returning evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness. Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving of someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell this person that you would like to heal your relationship. Give him a helping hand. Send him a gift. Smile at him. Many times, you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW FEELINGS TO KEEP US FROM OBEYING YHVH.

“The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but Adonai’s hold on me was strong. Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I sat there among them for seven days, overwhelmed.” (Ezekiel 3:14-15) Ezekiel was bitter and angry, not at YHVH, but at the sins and attitudes of the people. Ezekiel’s extraordinary vision had ended and he had to begin the tedious job of prophesying among his people, who cared little about YHVH’s messages. Before the exile, the people had heard Jeremiah, but they would not listen. Here Ezekiel had to give a similar message and he expected to be rejected as well. But Ezekiel had the vision of the living creatures and the rumbling wheels on his side. He had nothing to fear because YHVH was with him. Despite knowing the probable outcome, Ezekiel obeyed YHVH. As we grow, we will have times of great joy when we feel close to YHVH and times when sins, struggles or everyday tasks overwhelm us. Like Ezekiel, we should obey YHVH even when we don’t feel like it. Don’t let feelings hinder your obedience.

FEELINGS ARE NOT RELIABLE GUIDES.

“The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what Ruach HaKodesh wants. And Ruach HaKodesh gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict”. (Galatians 5:17) If your desire is to have the qualities listed in Galatians 5:22-23, then you know that Ruach HaKodesh is leading you. At the same time, be careful not to confuse your feelings with Ruach HaKodesh leading. Being led by Ruach HaKodesh involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey YHVH’s Word and the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and his promptings. Live each day controlled and guided by Ruach HaKodesh. Then the words of Moshiach will be in your mind, the love of Moshiach will be behind your actions and the power of Moshiach will help you control your selfish desires.

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO OUR FEELINGS?

Psalm 102:1-2: “Adonai, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down your ear and answer me quickly when I call to you.” 1 Samuel 1:10: “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to Adonai”. Job 7:11: “I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. I must complain in my bitterness.” Psalm 9:1-2: “I will thank you Adonai, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High”. Psalm 62:8: “O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for YHVH is our refuge.” --- We should respond honestly to YHVH about our feelings.

Psalm 43:5: “Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in YHVH! I will praise him again -- my Saviour and my YHVH!” Psalm 28:7: “Adonai is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 31:24: “Be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in Adonai! --- We must recognize that we are emotional beings, and that our emotions are part of our YHVH-given life.

Ezra 3:12-13: “Many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders remembered the first Temple, and they wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud commotion that could be heard far in the distance.” --- We should be respectful of others’ feelings even when they differ from our own.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR US TO EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL REGARDING OUR FEELINGS?

1 Timothy 3:11: “In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not speak evil of others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.” 2 Peter 1:6: “Knowing YHVH leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.” 1 Corinthians 9:25: “All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” Proverbs 16:32: “It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city”. Proverbs 25:28: “A person without self-control is as defenceless as a city with broken-down walls”. --- We are commanded to exercise self-control for our own good and commended when we do it. Self-control is partly our own control, and partly asking YHVH to help control us.

HOW SHOULD WE CONTROL OUR FEELINGS?

Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” --- We must guard what we permit into our minds and hearts. Being aware of the huge impact our emotions have on our lives should prevent us from exposing ourselves to things that might control our emotions.

2 Peter 1:6: “Knowing YHVH leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.” Colossians 3:8-10: “Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Moshiach, who created this new nature within you.” --- We must know YHVH better and follow Moshiach more. This gives us the self-control to avoid those emotions that might lead us impulsively into sin.

Ephesians 4:23, 26: “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes… And don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry”. Romans 13:14: “Let Adonai Yeshua Moshiach take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires”. Galatians 5:22-23: “When Ruach HaKodesh controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law”. --- We must ask Adonai to take control of us. When his Spirit lives within us, he can keep our emotions pure. The emotions which come from Ruach HaKodesh are much more exciting, joyful, and satisfying than the emotions which come from our sinful nature.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DANGERS OF FEELINGS?

Proverbs 14:13: Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” Jeremiah 17:9: “The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” --- Our feelings can deceive us.

Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32: “‘Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil… Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of malicious behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as YHVH through Moshiach has forgiven you.” --- Our feelings can lead us into sin.

Numbers 14:1-4: “Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. ‘We wish we had died in Egypt or even here in the wilderness!’ they wailed. ‘Why is Adonai taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let’s get out of here and return to Egypt!’ Then they plotted among themselves, ‘Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt!’” --- Our feelings can cause us to forget the truth about YHVH.

Judges 11:34-35: “When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter; his only child; ran out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “My daughter!” he cried out. “My heart is breaking! What a tragedy that you came out to greet me. For I have made a vow to Adonai and cannot take it back.” Our feelings can lead us to make rash and foolish promises. Amos 6:1: “How terrible it will be for you who lounge in luxury and think you are secure in Jerusalem and Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, you to whom the people go for help”. --- Our feelings can give us an unwarranted sense of security.

Matthew 1:19: “Joseph, her fiancé being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly.” --- Our feelings may hide the truth from us.

Galatians 5:16-18: “I advise you to live according to your new life in Ruach HaKodesh. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what Ruach HaKodesh wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.” But when you are directed by Ruach HaKodesh, you are no longer subject to the law. --- Our feelings are not a reliable guide and they can be confused with Ruach HaKodesh’s leading, causing us to fight Ruach HaKodesh.

Ezra 3:14-15: “The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but Adonai’s hold on me was strong. Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I sat there among them for seven days, overwhelmed.” --- Our feelings can hinder our obedience to YHVH.

Song of Songs 2:7: “Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the swift gazelles and the deer of the wild, not to awaken love until the time is right”. --- An impatient reaction to our feelings can cause us to forfeit YHVH’s perfect timing for us.

HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE LIFE’S MOST POSITIVE FEELINGS?

John 14:1, 27: “Don’t be troubled. You trust YHVH, now trust in me… I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 15:10-12: “When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you”. Romans 8:6: “If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if Ruach HaKodesh controls your mind, there is life and peace.” Galatians 5:22-23: “When Ruach HaKodesh controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.” --- A daily, living relationship with Adonai will bring the fullest experience of life.

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