DO NOT IGNORE YOUR FEELINGS

 We may be deeply hurt because of what someone says or does to us, especially if that person is a close friend or family member. (Psalm 55:12-14) At times, the emotional pain we suffer can be likened to being stabbed. (Read Proverbs 12:18.) We may try to suppress or ignore our hurt feelings. But doing so might be like getting stabbed and then leaving the knife in the wound. Similarly, we cannot expect our hurt feelings to get better if we ignore them. 

When someone offends us, our initial reaction may be to get angry. The Bible acknowledges that we may become wrathful. However, it warns against allowing that emotion to dominate us. (Psalm 4:4; Ephesians 4:26) Why? Because our emotions often lead to actions. And anger seldom leads to good results. (James 1:20) Remember, getting angry is a reaction, but remaining angry is a choice. 

When we have treated badly, we might feel other painful emotions. For example, a sister named Ann says: "When I was a child, my dad left my mom and married my nanny. I felt abandoned.  When they had children, I felt replaced. I grew up feeling unwanted." A sister named Georgette describes how she felt when her husband was unfaithful to her: "We had been friends since childhood. We were pioneer partners! My heart was broken." And a sister named Naomi says: "I never imagined that my husband would hurt ne. So when he confessed that he had been viewing pornography and hiding it from me, I felt deceived and betrayed." 

Next time: DO NOT IGNORE YOUR FEELINGS - Conclusion

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