This is an article for people like me, who feel all the feelings. Sometimes, they come in an overwhelming whirlwind that picks you up and tosses you around until you're not sure what's real or even which way is up. You can’t put into words or even comprehend it yourself.
This is also an article for people who aren't so much like that. As humans, none of us can escape our emotions any easier than we can live without a beating heart. So we need to deal with our emotions the right way. To do that, there are some things you need to know.
1. Every painful moment has an end.
Any stress, confusion, fear, anger, sadness, or whatever you might feel right now will not become your forever. You’ve been through stuff like this before and came out the other side. It might not have been easy, but you made it, and you tasted happiness again.
2. People won't always understand.
Humans seem to have a natural need to be understood. Know that people won’t always get you. If they haven’t been where you’ve been, how can they? You can take comfort in knowing that you are never a mystery to God.
You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book. ~Psalm 56:8 NLT
Psalm 139 says that he sees you and knows you. He feels your pain and wants to comfort you. There are a lot of comforting verses in the book of Psalms, so that's a great place to start.
3. Don't stuff it just because you think you're overreacting.
Your emotions are not invalid just because you feel in a different way than a lot of people do. Know that you are not a burden, so don't be afraid to talk to people. If you don't know how to explain what you're feeling, write and write and write until the sentences come out right and you find the words to explain it.
Try writing in a journal. Journaling it out helps you process, and you learn about yourself and how your brain tends to work. Write poetry. It doesn't matter if it's not good. You don't have to show it to anyone.
4. Don't trust your feelings.
You can feel like you're screwed up and unlovable all you want, but it's not going to change the fact that God loves you more than you'll ever know. You can feel like you're not good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough. Everyone around you could tell you that's not true, but you won't want to listen because that's the way you feel.
Tie a noose around your mind
loose enough to breathe fine and tie it
To a tree tell it, you belong to me, this ain’t a noose
this is a leash and I have news for you
You must obey me ~from "Holding onto You" by twenty one pilots
You need to catch this: feelings lie. Don't believe them easily, and don't let them control you. Yes, you can control your mind. I know sometimes you feel like you can't. It's a fight, but you can win.
5. It really is okay to be emotional.
Don't beat yourself up for it. You don't need to fit society's box of what a human should be. You're different and that's good. Your mind is a super computer, and it's hard to understand. Sometimes, you won't even understand. That's okay.
Remember this. When you feel like you're sinking, here's something solid you can stand on: God is greater than the ups and downs.
