Emotional honesty is an oxymoron.
We are so adept at hiding behind masks that we do not even know how we really
feel or how to express that to other people. Journaling our true feelings is a
good way to start.
We can also meet regularly with a
trusted friend and verbally express our true feelings and deepest thoughts. We
may even surprise our self when we discover our deepest feelings.
Talking, drawing, music and
writing releases our soul from the bondage of playing games and pretending to
be someone other than our true self. We release pent up emotional energy that
formerly robbed us of physical energy.
Then, staying in touch with our
true feelings allows us to find the root causes of all of our negative
emotions. We can deal with the issue, or put it in God's capable hands.
Imperfection brings with it a
certain vulnerability, shame and fear of not surviving. However, perfectionism
is a demonic plague on humanity. Once we rid our self of the need to be perfect
we can breathe a refreshing breath of pure air. We allow God's Spirit to do His
perfecting work in us (Matthew 5:48).
We also learn to accept life as
God allows it to play out in the moments of our day. We stop resisting and
attempting to control the issues. Instead, we find out what God is saying to us
through them. We look for the seed of a miracle in each one of them.
When our perspective on life
changes, so do our attitudes, thoughts, feelings and actions. We stop trying to
force God into our box. Our paradigm, expectations and goals remain fluid in
order to obey the leading of God's Spirit.
We learn to cherish every aspect
of who we are, even our failings. We are kind to our self and learn to have
more compassion on other people. We see life from their perspective and stop
judging them and our self, but relate to them with God's mercy and grace.
Prayer:
Father God, our fears are not
rational or logical; and often, not even conscious. We react in fear because
our current circumstances trigger the memory of an event from our childhood.
People look at us as if we have two heads and judge us as emotionally unstable,
unpredictable and unbalanced. Yet, the fact is that we are simply wounded
children.
Help us to rid our soul of the painful
memories which litter our past. Teach us to cling to You as our defense rather
than to defend our self. That way, no enemy can prosper against us (Isaiah
54:17). You are our comfort and the lifter of our head (Psalm 3:3). You heal us
from the inside out and cleanse us all over. You make all things new and bring
us into Your holy hill in Your perfect time and way (2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm
24:3-6).
Thought for the Day:
When we pass judgment on our self
or someone else, we are taking God's place and abusing and wounding our self
and others more deeply than the pain we already experienced in our past.
