The Tornado of Emotions

I live in a part of the country that is plagued by tornadoes. My first memory of a tornado comes from the year I turned 16. A nasty F4 tornado swept through my county in Ohio killing 33 people. I remember the odd color of that angry sky that afternoon. It looked like dirty yellow cotton balls. Strangely, it was incredibly silent outside - no birds chattering or insects buzzing. I learned later that God created these little ones with an instinct regarding bad weather and they had taken shelter when they sensed trouble.  I also learned later that the very moment I was looking at the oddly colored yellow sky, a tornado was demolishing the city of Xenia less than six miles down the road from me. That angry yellow sky had winds churning around and around until all of a sudden they formed a funnel cloud and spilled out in the form of a devastating tornado.

Emotions that are denied, unacknowledged and not dealt with remind me of a tornado with the churning winds. Left unchecked, emotions such as bitterness can easily swirl into resentment and even depression.  These emotions can spin around and around until they spill over and destroy anything in their path. Like a tornado, as these emotions turn, they often they often pick up other feelings such as regret, self-pity, loneliness, fear, guilt, anger, anxiety and sorrow and swirl then into the funnel cloud. It can be hard to tell where one emotion ends and another one begins. Sound familiar?

My dear friend, please realize that our Heavenly Father created us with these emotions. Emotions are not ourenemy. They are not sinful. They are not a sign of weakness. They are not to be denied. Dare I say that perhaps they can be welcomed as evidence of how deeply you loved the one you lost? Well, that may be hard to hear, but it is something to think about. What needs to be avoided, however, is the control that emotions can sometimes have over us.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with an emotional tornado right now? Tell Jesus about it.  Tell Him about those ugly negative ones too. Trust me, He won't be surprised. Also, relieve the pressure you're feeling by being willing to forgive whoever needs to be forgiven in your life. Forgiveness can be foundational to healing.

Journaling Ideas

Use these questions to stimulate thoughts for your journal.

1.  Why do you need the rest and peace that Jesus offers. What is going on in your life right now?

2.  Is there anything that is keeping you from going to the Lord for help? Describe it.

3.  Describe and label the feelings you are feeling right now?

4. What have your emotions taught you about yourself?

5.  What is the best thing that has happened to you this week?

6. What is the worst thing that has happened to you this week?

YOUR GRIEVING TOOLBOX

In your grieving toolbox, you already have the tools of journaling, scripture meditation, prayer walking, and investing in someone else's life. Today, I would like to add the tool of scripture memorization. When scripture has been committed to memory and to your heart it is easily available at a moment's notice to bring its soothing, calming power to your personal tornado. I would like to suggest this one to memorize, but by all means, find one that speaks to you personally.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

My prayer for you today is that you will lean on Jesus who Himself understands sorrow because he is familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3). He can calm any storm if only He is asked. Ask Him now.