When Our Emotions Run High

I need an emotional filter. One that I could place gently over my heart whenever I felt the pitter patter of my aortas increasing, my palms beginning to perspire, or the pressure on my chest starting to rise as I withhold the tears inside. I could also use a filter for when the rage begins to bubble and burble at the surface, or when I become frustrated and frazzled because there seems to be no change. What an amazing idea. Filtering out the emotions before they create unwanted grief. Shark Tank, here I come!!  Wait…what? That’s already been invented you say? Why yes. It’s called, the Holy Spirit.   He is the one sent to us by God the Father to dwell among us and to keep us in check.

Pride is one of those emotions that definitely could use a filter. It can also be the deciding factor between choosing to obey or deny Christ. Take a look

There once was a rich young ruler. He had everything that he could possibly want, wealth, status, and the entireties of the world. Yet, he was still wanted more. He wanted an inheritance of eternal life.

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

“You know the commandments…”

“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

Jesus replied, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:17-22)

Imagine if the boy allowed the Holy Spirit to take hold and filter out his emotions: pride, greed, and disappointment… the list could go on. Just picture the altered outcome had he relinquished his emotional filter to slip over his heart for his mind to focus on what his original question was really asking.

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus offers an eternal inheritance to us. All he asks in return is that we surrender our lives to him.   It seems so simple, yet the depths of complexity we will never fully understand until we see him face to face.

The most beautiful part about what God has to offer is that it is up to us to decide. He is never forceful. He will not bully us into a decision. He meets us right where we are and the Holy Spirit joins in making the trinity complete. Breaking us down to our ridged foundation and building it back up with supports.

Have you invited Jesus into your heart? If not, the day is now. Do not delay. He does not need you to be perfect or prepared in anyway. He will work with you. Heal your weary heart and make you whole again. Ask him to enter in and dwell in you. Then, allow the Holy Spirit to become your emotional and filter for the world.