Turning Feelings into Strength

Every night, I set aside time to kneel and pray to God. I pour out all the feelings and struggles I experienced that day, whether about work or family. Praying brings a special sense of relief to me, as if God is by my side to embrace me and wipe away every tear.

This makes me reflect on how God can feel what we feel. He understands and empathizes with us. And surely, God gave us feelings not only to be poured out.

So then, how can we turn our feelings into strength, so that we do not keep sinking in an overflow of emotion?

The Strength of Three Feelings

There is strength we can draw from these three feelings, just as Jesus experienced when facing a great struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46):

1. Sadness

Then He said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and keep watch with Me." – Matthew 26:38

Because He was born as a human being, Jesus could also feel the things we feel. In fact, He once came to a point where His sorrow made Him feel as if He wanted to die. That night, while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled to accept the cup He had to drink. He was sorrowful because He had to sacrifice His life to bear the sins of humanity.

Yet when He was sorrowful, Jesus did not grieve alone. He told those closest to Him that He was sad. Jesus did not isolate Himself or hide His feelings so that He would appear strong.

What is making you sad today? Family problems? Struggles at work? Conflict with your spouse? Poor grades? Being left by someone you love?

When this happens, do you go through it alone, or do you share your feelings with the right people? Do you seek comfort in the wrong ways, or do you come to God with a surrendered heart?

Feeling sad is natural and should not be ignored. You may be sad and express yourself, because that will help lighten the burden in your heart. However, sadness will become paralyzing if you let it drag on without seeking a solution.

Come to God in prayer and share your feelings with people you trust. But do not stop there. Do not wallow in the habit of self-pity.

Look for a way out to overcome your problem. Keeping busy can also help you forget your sadness. Reflect on, weigh, and apply the advice or input from the people you confide in. In that way, you will rise quickly from sadness and regain the spirit to live.

2. Fear

Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." – Matthew 26:39

Jesus, who knew Himself so deeply, could also be deeply afraid. He was afraid because the cup of His suffering would separate Him from God the Father. Yet even though He prayed for that cup to pass, Jesus was willing to fight His fear so that He could carry out His task.

To fight fear, you must recognize what triggers it. Fear can come when you have to make a major decision, accept responsibility, go through a process, and so on.

After you know what your fear is, bring it in prayer and ask God for strength. Strive to face that challenge with the awareness that everything you go through will not be in vain. It is a process that will strengthen your soul.

Remember, Jesus' death on the cross is proof of the strength produced from fear that He overcame by following His Father's will.

Fear will produce nothing when you only stay still. Fight that fear, and witness the extraordinary things that will happen when you win.

3. Disappointment

After that, He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, "Could you not keep watch with Me for one hour?" – Matthew 26:40

There are three causes of disappointment: disappointment with God, with yourself, and with others. Jesus was disappointed because the people He loved could not feel His struggle. No one understood what He was feeling. His disciples had fallen asleep, even though He had asked them to keep watch with Him.

Perhaps there are many disappointments you are feeling right now. You are disappointed with a friend or a parent who does not give support. Disappointed because your dreams have still not been fulfilled. Or disappointed in yourself because you are unable to do something according to target.

Then, does disappointment make you no longer want to love others? Do you become bitter, give up, or stay busy pitying yourself? If Jesus had been carried away by disappointment, perhaps there would be no greatest story of salvation. No human being would be saved from God's wrath. Yet Jesus was willing to process His disappointment. He was willing to die for His disciples, for you and me, the people who had disappointed His heart. Disappointment becomes meaningful strength when we keep loving those who disappoint us. Jesus experienced it Himself, and He sets an example so that we may keep loving God and others in every situation.

Instead of denying or sinking into sadness, fear, and disappointment, learn to process these three feelings. Jesus came into the world as an ordinary human being and succeeded in turning these feelings into the greatest strength. When we believe there is strength we can draw from behind every struggle of life, we can do it too. Amen!

*Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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