I got to thinking though. Emotions are not all bad. I know quite a few Dr. Spock like stoics who are very proud of how little they emote in their everyday lives. I think its mighty sad and here is why. It has nothing to do with comparisons to myself. Yes I am very emotionally expressive. Logic is not my friend, but there should be a balance. Where I may err on the side of emotional show others may err on the side of logic. Neither is trustworthy. For example, everyone knows at least one person in their lives who can justify anything. They have a logical argument for every ridiculous thing they believe or callous way they act out. On the same token you also have that person in your circle who rejects any logic and bases everything on how they feel. They are both unreliable.
If I have read my Bible correctly, and I have, I see that the Holy Spirit is supposed to be leading us and helping us make our decisions. We are supposed to be seeking out answers through prayer and reading the word. It seems odd that I know so many Bible believing folks who eschew emotions. God either created us in his image or he didn't. Emotions are a part of that package. Most of the major decisions in our lives are made based on emotions. I doubt anyone drew up a chart or examined an excel spread sheet to decide if they would marry their spouse, have children, or even come to a spiritual conclusion. We go with our gut or our feelings.
So why do people hold such little regard for feelings? Is it because they can be chemically altered? Logic is just as susceptible to our biology as our feelings are. I think maybe people think they can control their logic. There are a lot of control freaks out there and where you find a stoic you usually find a control freak. Emotions go where they will. You can't help how you feel and when you feel it. It doesn't mean it should be dismissed though. It is part of your divine makeup. It has a purpose and the Holy Spirit uses our emotions as a tool to get our attention. Ever had a gut check or an uneasy feeling about something? That is something divine at work using a built in tool to protect us. We have to learn to listen to both, but most of all our Father who is always trying to get a word in. Maybe if we could ignore feelings and logic long enough we might find some truth entering our hearts.
When was the last time you shared someone else's emotions? We all know the last thing we want to hear when we are hurt or broken is some logic. The word says we should cry with each other and laugh with each other. We are supposed to feel with each other. That is what connects us. It is a bond. You look at someone differently when they have volunteered to take on your pain. Sometimes we need some logic when we are overtaken by a sea of emotions that we can't manage. So if people don't relate to you or "get" you then I would examine how much emotion you are sharing. If people recoil when you start to talk or it seems people don't want to listen then maybe you share too much. We need to learn to relate to each other with some balance and empathy. We are all people and mostly the same. If we all let down our guards once in a while we might all be pleasantly surprised.
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