Accepting our Feelings

"My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me." Psalm 55:4

Many of us have the idea that in order to be mature, respected adults we must renounce all our feelings. We may think that if we are to be real men or women of God we must never admit a need. We must always have an answer and always appear in total control. Perhaps as children we were taught that it was weak or cowardly to admit to disappointment, hurt, sadness, discouragement, anger or even happiness. But what we learned is a misconception.

King David led his people to victory many times. Nations looked up to him. But he made mistakes. He experienced the rejection of trusted co-workers. he felt angry, jealous and hurt. David was a truthful man who allowed himself to think and feel and be. In the Psalms he often expressed sadness, discouragement and confusion. His acceptance of reality and the resulting feelings of disappointment and pain led him again and again to God. And God called him "a man after my own heart" (Acts 13:22). Like David we can think, feel and share, as responsible, mature men and women of God.

By Joan C. Webb, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"