Feeling Feelings

Feeling Feelings

As a society, through the generations, most of us have not been loved well. Because of this, the expression of our feelings is often misunderstood or shunned.

When we share how we feel, it is often received as criticism by the person we are speaking to. Instead of being heard, our feelings are dismissed or defended against.

It becomes like a barricade that prevents the feeling from being felt. So, we bury the feeling and carry on into the next day, pushing it underground and shovelling more dirt on top of it until it can no longer be felt.

As a result, we walk away with those feelings never being acknowledged as real.

Until one day you realise your emotions can no longer be felt. After burying them for so long, you have become that sounding gong the Lord warned us not to become.

Over the years I have sat in prayer rooms and listened to the prayers of others. Often, I hear people telling God what to do instead of asking Him with a humble heart.

People do the same thing with one another. Instead of asking, we tell. When we tell someone what to do, it comes across as control. Nobody — young or old — likes being told what to do. We respond much better when we are asked.

When this same telling attitude enters the prayer room, God still has the final word. His response may be silence, or an open hand from heaven.

The greatest command was to love one another, and that includes listening and allowing feelings to be heard.

We are not completely standing in love until we allow feelings to be opened up again.

Nothing is truly lost.

It has only been covered over.

Uncover your feelings, and let yourself feel again.