Head Games

What if your body is telling you it’s time to get emotional?

We lovingly called it “the Bise grip.” Our sons referred to it as “the Claw.” Whenever our sons needed a non-verbal notification that perhaps they should stop talking, or find some manners real quick, my husband would stand behind them and lay his hand on their shoulder. If they continued, the hand could develop a firm grip on the shoulder that said unequivocally, “you need to stop…NOW.”

I find the Holy Spirit, who is deeply respectful and an absolute gentleman, can sometimes go from a gentle touch to The Claw. When I ignore the still, small voice nudging my conscience, my whole body reacts negatively.

When I feel the tightness in my muscles, the shortness in my breath, the sense of being overwhelmed by everyday schedules, and exhausted yet unable to sleep soundly, it definitely feels like The Claw is clamping down.

Yet, my physical body is the home of the Holy Spirit, and the word of God is alive and working in me, able to bring life to my body. Why, then, do I feel this way?

Our relationship with God is a mental one, yet we are quick to experience shame over our moods, or to suppress and abandon our feelings. Denying your emotions takes its toll on your body, and they will never go away. They will come out no matter your efforts.

Our very salvation is a mental exercise. We are saved by deciding, choosing, disciplining our thoughts, etc. The only way you can have any kind of relationship with God is in your mind. Unless He comes to you in the flesh, and in that case, good for you, but the rest of us have nothing but our senses to experience God; our thoughts to seek Him, our soul to love Him, our tears and laughter to move Him. Therefore, it stands to reason that our emotions are of paramount concern to God, and it is the way HE experiences US. He relishes a bona-fide relationship with all your heart, mind, and soul, so your emotions excite and move Him, and He wants to be known by you in a passionately emotional way.

If this is true, then having emotions cannot be a sin. Being ruled by your emotions, rather than in submission to the peace, patience, goodness, kindness, mercy and self-control of the Holy Spirit, is. For example, anger is not a sin, but causing pain to others in your anger is. Prayer and meditation are the safe spaces to explore and experience these emotions and submit them to the hands of the Lover of Your Soul, Jesus.

So, when I begin to feel the strain in my body that comes from the mental restrictions I use to keep my emotions tamped down, the Holy Spirit is in the midst of this, calling me gently to come and use these feelings to deepen our relationship.

Go ahead, tell Him all about it. He is there anyway, not blind or disengaged, or shocked by anything going on in you. He wants to be known, and for you to share these things so He can release peace and goodness in you. I have learned that the mind-body connection that allows stress to wreak havoc on my physical body, also goes the other way- I can release mental struggles and find physical relief in gentle and nourishing intimacy with God.

Reflection

1. Do you have emotions that cause you embarrassment or fear, or you think are sins? What are they?

2. Do you have any physical issues that may be related to those thoughts? For example, nausea, headaches, or muscle pain, etc.

3. What are your barriers to spending quality meditative time in prayer?

Goals

Identify three tools you can use to help you overcome your reservations about sharing your emotional life with Christ:

But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.

We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:16-18 TPT)