“I call upon the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” Psalm 120:1
Fuming, stomping, spitting mad, the emotions coursed through me as I threw a mental tantrum.
We’re back to this again.
That repetitive problem. The issue which is never resolved. That which makes life complicated. I stomped my foot and collapsed into a nearby chair.
We all have these issues, not a one of us is alone in such a mess, although we often feel that way.
“God, why is this still here?”
I knew could call a dear friend and pour out my heart, and she would compassionately listen to the broken record.
Or I could do something both more positive and more productive: I could vent to God.
Isn’t that what Psalm 120:1 is really saying? I speak to God and He answers. God cares about us, and He wants us to communicate with Him.
Even vent. Respectfully.
Yes, He certainly already knows the situation and He certainly knows any personal feelings toward it. He also knows He created humans to need to vent, to release all the emotions, actions, and reactions.
God wants us to turn to Him when we have any need: a physical need of healing, a spiritual need of finding peace, or an emotional need of processing a hurt.
We are told in James, that in our anger, we should not sin. He also instructs us not to slander.
We must be careful not to unload on a friend, slandering someone else in the process. And while we are in a pit of despair, we don’t want to drag anyone else down there with us! The enemy loves for misery to multiply!
Instead, if we spend time with God first, venting to Him and then reining in those emotions, we can confidently call a friend if we still desire human comfort. Hopefully by that time, the temper has cooled, the heart has softened, and the mind has cleared.
Then we can pray together and our conversation is not deafening gossip but glorifying to God.
I have learned to identify what I personally need to do in frustration: exercise and talk it out. Exercise: I run. I either pound the pavement or trek down my basement stairs to the treadmill. (Midwest winters can be a bear!) I need that physical release.
Then, after the physical exertion, I talk to God. It’s usually much calmer at that point, but sometimes raw emotion still escapes. It’s okay, He can handle it.
I don’t curse. But I often ask, what am I supposed to do?
After a time, I find myself recounting what is going well. Things to be thankful for. People in my life that I see as a blessing.
The issue that elicited those emotions may not yet be resolved, but my mindset is now ready to work on them a little more logically. And, I see it in the rightful place: a part of my life, but that issue isn’t my entire life.
And, when I call my friend, I’m certain she’s grateful that I am much more rational and congenial.
How about you? What is your go-to for dealing with disastrous emotions? Please leave your answers and ideas in the comments below. We can all use some new ideas!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You gave us emotions. Please show me what to do with all those emotions, especially when they surface hard and fast. Thank You for dear friends to help me along the way of life, and please help my conversation to always be a blessing to my friends, not gossip or slander. Thank You Lord, for Your constant encouragement. In Jesus’ name, Amen.