When Emotions Linger in Your Heart
This weekend was spent alongside my family and church at our Annual Family Camp in Upstate New York. Now you would think that three days of unlimited amounts of s’mores, laughter, bike riding, mountain climbing, lounging by the lake, and bumming out would make for an epic weekend. Unfortunately, I came back home more disappointed than joyful.
As soon as I arrived at camp, some people began to really push my buttons. During these situations, I believe that you really get to see who likes you and who can’t imagine breathing the same air you exhaled. I definitely saw more of the latter. Instead of brushing off negativity, I began to harbor bitterness. Why are these people always commenting on me? What did I do to them? The more I replayed their remarks, the more I became defensive with others. I became the exact same person that was harming me. My emotions began to get the best of me. Instead of being loving towards other people, I tried my best to avoid them. By Sunday, I felt both alone and irritated.
Camp would have been a perfect opportunity to get to know people from my church that I normally pass by every Sunday. It hurts me because I didn’t seize the moment. I did have memorable moments with my family and friends. But I was so consumed with hurt that it didn’t allow me to enjoy the trip as much as I could have.
We should all live by God’s truths instead of our emotions. Unfortunately, I didn’t follow that motto at camp. Our circumstances can change our emotions, but we should never let them linger in our hearts. What bothered me the most this weekend is that I allowed the enemy to take over my thoughts. The moment he gets control of your emotions, there is no limit to what he can do. Realistically, I shouldn’t expect everyone to like me or even be respectful towards me. I know that I can always rely on God and that He loves me. If I invest in His truths, instead of my feelings, I will live my life more freely.
Life is too short to live in bitterness and rage due to frustrating people or circumstances. I pray that we will always live a life that honors God in every situation including being amongst our enemies.
Proverbs 2:6-7
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
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