Emotional
baggage is a term freely used in our modern society to explain why we react to
situations the way that we do. This dysfunction is seeded in our past traumatic
experiences, and it bears fruit in our current circumstances. It causes grief that
must be resolved.
We
may have experienced abandonment, devastation, loss, rejection, failings,
shaming situations, sexual violation, demeaning relationships, etc. We fear a
repetition of this trauma, and we use various methods to protect our self,
including anger, aloofness, fear of commitment, obsessive/compulsive behavior,
etc.
Growing
up with physical, emotional and/or verbal abuse weakens our immune system,
causes mental issues and physical illnesses that can last a lifetime.
Some
of us are currently very needy individuals due to so much deprivation in our
past. Others are used to being in the center of attention, and need that same
homage now.
Burying
our memories in our subconscious mind takes more resources from us than facing
the trials head-on. Ignoring incidents, running from the memory, or acting as
if they did not happen depletes our physical and emotional energy.
As
wounded individuals, we use a great deal of emotional and physical vitality in
an attempt to avoid pain. We fear the future, resent the past and try to run
from or fight against possible current trauma. This drains us of energy that we
could use in other ways.
Doctors have discovered that negative
emotions and unresolved issues drain our vitality, escalate adrenalin production, impair digestion, suppress our immune system, drain our vitamin and
mineral storehouse, cause inflammation and too much acid, etc. which can all
cause pain, stiffness, sensitivity, and poor health.
On
the other hand, positive emotions and resolved issues give us joy from deep
within our soul. The allow us to walk in the Spirit and to accomplish God's
will for each moment of our day.
Negative
emotions are meant to be red flags to alert us about an issue in our body or
soul that needs attention, not a place to camp out or to spend the night. They
prompt us into action so that we will meet our needs.
We
do not have to wait on someone else to meet our needs; we simply meet them, or
ask God to supply our needs from His glorious riches. God cares about every
aspect of our life.
Prayer:
Father
God,
If
we interact with life from our human resources, we soon burn out and lose
interest in the details of our day. We get stuck and feel hindered from
changing the situations that are holding us back or causing us stress. Sometime
we give up, and just snuggle under our covers and pretend that we could sleep
forever.
You
know that we live in fear and feel insecurity as we face undesirable changes
that come our way. They make us feel out of control and miserable, without
hope, peace and joy. Turn our life around and give us Your indescribable joy
that controls or negative fears regardless of our circumstances.
Thought
for the Day:
Our
fulfilled desires and goals, as well as our compassion, devotion, joy and peace,
come only from our intimate relationship with the God of the universe and the
coming King over all of the earth.
