Negative Emotions May Be a Gift
What if we viewed negative emotions as a beneficial gift rather than indicators that what we are feeling is wrong or that we are bad because we have them? I love the prayer in today’s Listening on the Journey … post because it deals with this very issue.
As I browsed for a photo to use with this post, I landed on pictures of the Eifel Tower taken by Ron during our trip to Europe in 2023. While this photo doesn’t have anything at all to do with today’s post, it brought back only positive emotions for me, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Through the years, I’ve become aware of the value of negative emotions as a sort of “red flag” warning that shows me there’s something going on in my soul I need to address. It cautions that this may be a good time to slow down and become more aware of what is going on inside me.
Rather than trying to excuse, rationalize, ignore, hide, or feel guilty about negative or disquieting feelings, I am learning to become curious about them. Quite often, I use the feeling as a springboard for a prayer that goes something like this, “Lord, please show me what is going on in my heart?” I believe the Lord enjoys not only giving insight but then giving strength and helping me take positive “next steps” for growth.
Today’s prayer is taken from Rediscover the Saints – Twenty-Five Questions that will Change Your Life by Matthew Kelly. It addresses the negative emotion of “dissatisfaction.” I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.
LORD,
Thank you for the vast array of feelings and emotions that you allow me to experience. Teach me to listen to the dissatisfaction in my life and discover what you are saying to me through it. Then give me the courage and boldness to do something about it.
Amen
Blessings on your journey,
