Suppression of emotions

[rizen1]

by Neil Anderson

September 6


SUPPRESSION OF EMOTIONS

References:--Psalm 32:3 NIV
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long


Suppression of emotions is a conscious denial of feelings (repression is an un conscious denial). Those who suppress their emotions ignore their feelings and choose not to deal with them. Suppression is an unhealthy response to your emotions.

King David had something to say about the negative impact of suppressing his feelings in his relationship with God: "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. . . . Let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him" (Psalm 32:3, 6 NIV ). David is not saying that God takes Himself out of our reach. When extraneous circumstances loom larger to you than God, it will not take long for your emotions to overcome you. When suppressed emotions build up within you like "mighty waters," you won't turn to God. Your emotions will be in control. It's important to open up to God while you can, because if you bottle up your feelings too long, it will disrupt the harmony of your relationship with Him.

David also commented on the impact of suppression on relationships with people: "I said, 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle, while the wicked are in my presence.' I was dumb and silent, I refrained every from good; and my sorrow grew worse" (Psalm 39:1, 2).

Don't cover over your emotions. Suppression isn't good for you, for others, or for your relationship with God. God knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and others can sense that something is wrong, because more is communicated nonverbally than verbally. When the verbal doesn't match the nonverbal, people believe the nonverbal. If we don't accurately express what we believe, people will believe our nonverbal messages about what we believe. Don't leave room for guesswork. Instead, "Speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:25).

Prayer:

Lord, I want to live in honest agreement with You and others. Give me the grace to speak the truth in love

 

[rizen1]

by Neil Anderson
GOD'S INDICATORS

References:--Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life


I played sports as a young man and I have the scars on my knees to prove it. The incision of my first knee surgery cut across a nerve and I had no feeling around that area of my leg for several months. Sometimes I would sit down to watch TV and, without thinking, rest a cup of hot coffee on my numb knee. I couldn't feel anything, but before long I could sure smell something: my skin burning! For awhile I had a neat little brown ring on the top of my knee.

Your emotions are to your soul what your physical feelings are to your body. Nobody in their right mind enjoys pain. But if you didn't feel pain, you would be in danger of serious injury and infection. And if you didn't feel anger, sorrow, joy, etc. your soul would be in trouble. Emotions are God's indicators to let you know what is going on inside. They are neither good nor bad; they're amoral, just part of your humanity. Just like you respond to the warnings of physical pain, so you need to learn to respond to your emotional indicators.

Someone has likened emotions to the red light on the dashboard of a car which indicates an engine problem. There are several ways you can respond to the red light's warning. You can cover it with a piece of duct tape, "I can't see the light now," you say, "so I don't have to think about the problem." You can smash out the light with a hammer. "That'll teach you for glaring in my face!" Or you can respond to the light as the manufacturers intended for you to respond by looking under the hood and fixing the problem.

You have the same three options in responding to your emotions. You can respond by covering over them, ignoring them, stifling them. That's called suppression . You can respond by thoughtlessly lashing out, giving someone a piece of your mind, flying off at the handle. I call that indiscriminate expression . Or you can peer inside to see what's going on. That's called acknowledgment.

For the next few days, we will explore these responses and see why the first two are inappropriate.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for my emotions. Give me the courage to be emotionally honest and the grace to face the truth

 

[Br. Bear]

Thank you sister,

SUPPRESSION OF EMOTIONS

References:--Psalm 32:3 NIV
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long

-Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life

May I add that in this modern time of sitting behind the computer screen.... although fellowshiping in His love, we must be more aware that we do not sit so silently....

Originaly, the word was for the men and women who would interact in person, and therefore would, in their silence, need to hold back from tears, etc..... but now, sitting so far from anyone's view, we can silently be wasting away.... putting on a brave front and no-one would ever know what we are going through.

This calls for extreme boldness in honestly with ourselves and to others we 'meet' online.

Please, if anyone has been sitting quietly, please..... yes, please talk to someone.... post here or Private Message someone, and if at all possible talk in person to another Christian you know... and if you don't have anyone to talk to, ask Jesus to provide someone for you.... He will.... and I am confident in this... why?

Because He loves each one of you..... yes, so much, that He gave His life for you....

so, please, if you have found yourself in silent wasting, groaning and in need.... please reach out....

Reach out to Jesus... because He is reaching out to you... and remember He has placed members in His Body, the Church, for this very purpose of caring for and loving one another with a pure heart.

Bless you.... in Jesus name,

Br. Bear


That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Corinthians 12:25-27



As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:1-5


Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
Song of Solomon 1:7

 

[rizen1]

Br. Bear thank you for that reply.

Originaly, the word was for the men and women who would interact in person, and therefore would, in their silence, need to hold back from tears, etc..... but now, sitting so far from anyone's view, we can silently be wasting away.... putting on a brave front and no-one would ever know what we are going through.

This calls for extreme boldness in honestly with ourselves and to others we 'meet' online

Amen...we need to but its so hard.
I've experience rejection after openess, which resulted in suppression and it really kills inside.

 

[mounty]

Great post sister, very insightful ,

God Bless and Much Love xoxoxoxoxoxo

 

[oublie]

Suppression is never good. I used to do it.. often, almost every single time. I though it was okay, no big deal.. so why should I bother so much. But it mattered to me, I was lying to myself. It's foolish. Be true to yourself.. be true to God.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I think that so many people fear they will look weak if they display their emotions....but emotions are part of our humanity and expression rather than suppression vital to emotional and mental health.

I take great comfort in knowing that our Lord ....the perfect man...did not surpress His emotions...

Then cometh Jesus unto..... Gethsemane...and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death Matthew 26:37,38

It is vital to keep an open dialogue with the Lord Jesus....He understands our emotions... He has experienced emotions more powerfully than anyone when He carried our load to the cross.

In agreement with Br. Bear comments the Lord provides a beautiful fellowship of Christian saints to provide love and support, whether this is face to face, by telephone or online. But I do also agree with rizen1 it can be very damaging to open your heart online and trust someone..to then be let down.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man Psalm 118:8

Blessings

Julia

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

writing your emotions

Yes sister rizen i already read some books about it seven years ago i think. funny....

the only thing i remember is that when i was a child and still an unbeliever I would always go and run to my Aunts or Uncles to take refuge whenever i'm hurt but the sad thing is they would tell my parents and to others about it until i learned to be alone my life. I was even talked about of being insane because I have to run on the fields, climb a tree or to any lonely places just to cry out or ride on the carabao and sing and sing and sing, the worst is talking to my dog telling my what is inside me not knowing others had seen me. funny...

just so others would not see me again that way i learned writing my thoughts and emotions on a notebook but due to lack of personal security or privacy still my mother would discover it and others. haH. but still i found writing is not enough i need someone, somebody to talk to. my notebook cannot interact with me. lol.

I thank God I found Jesus in my life, my true friend who would always ready to listen to me and guide me rightly.

and yes in agreement to Br. Bears statement "Please, if anyone has been sitting quietly, please..... yes, please talk to someone.... post here or Private Message someone, and if at all possible talk in person to another Christian you know... and if you don't have anyone to talk to, ask Jesus to provide someone for you.... He will.... and I am confident in this... why?

Because He loves each one of you..... yes, so much, that He gave His life for you....

so, please, if you have found yourself in silent wasting, groaning and in need.... please reach out....

Reach out to Jesus... because He is reaching out to you... and remember He has placed members in His Body, the Church, for this very purpose of caring for and loving one another with a pure heart."

I myself believe it that's why i prayed over some years to have some fellow believers to confide with though I have today but not all the time they are beside me. I always thank God for finding this site. As for my everyday goal is to grow in Christ.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. NO one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." IJohn 4:11-12
AMEN.

 

[rizen1]

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. NO one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." IJohn 4:11-12
AMEN.

 

[jas]

Dr. Bear
thank you for those encouagin words. T hou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.
i on going through a very bad time at the moment and my friends on chat listen and talk to me. It has helped me a lot. I dont know what i would do without them.
I liked your scriptures also, and will copy them out.
thank you
In the name of Jesus Christ
Amen.




:kitten:

 

[Faithful Son]

I am David at this stage in my life. I've been like David for a few years now.

Please keep me in prayer, even though I share a lot with the mods and some friends on TJ, I feel at times that I might be making a burden of myself by speaking plainly.

My bones are weary and broken and my whole being is in a sad state. My soul yearns for the touch of God and I can't even open to the only one I adore, Jesus.

God bless

 

[rizen1]

You're still standing, so we know God is at work.

Keep The Candle Burning Lyrics by Point Of Grace

You think youre alone there in your silent storm
But Ive seen the tears youve cried falling down and trying to drown
The flame of hope inside
Let me tell you now, tell you now

(chorus)
When youre walking in the dead of night
And your soul is churning
When your hope seems out of sight
Keep the candle burning
All it takes is one steady heart in a world thats turning
Shine a light and pierce the dark
Keep the candle burning
Keep the candle burning

When youre down and youre discouraged
When the darkness clouds your view
Youve got to gather up your courage
You know the lord is gonna see you through
Let me tell you now
Tell you now

(repeat chorus)

One ray of light always breaks through
Follow wherever he takes you
Wherever he takes you

 

[Ritsuka]

Ever since I was a little kid,I've been taught to supress my emotions.I've been taught that only weak people portray their emotions and let others know plainly how they feel.this led me to develop a low self esteem,as well as hurting myself,cause that's the only way that I can truly express myself..

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I the Lord have called thee...and will hold thy hand Isaiah 42:6

Dear sister Ritsuka

I notice that you have recently come to know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour (this year).....Praise the Lord. You are now part of the loving family of the Lord Jesus...a child of the King.

It is so sad to hear that you have had to turn to hurting yourself in order to express how you feel....and I know that it can be a difficult pattern of behaviour to break free from.

However, dear sister you have the Lord Jesus living within you now...and you can off load all your burdens and feelings to Him.The Good Shepherd, our dear Lord Jesus Christ knows what you are, and have been going through..... Just ask Him to take control of all your emotions....place everything into His hands....as others have already said in their posts.... Reach out to Him......He will never think you weak....He will just hold you in His arms of love and tend to all the suppressed hurt in your heart.

You also have the loving care of Christians on this site, who will be praying for you, listening to you, and who will support you.

God bless you sister, I will be praying for you

Julia

He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; Isaiah 40:11

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give thee rest...Matthew 11:28

 

[Ritsuka]

Hey there Sister Julia,
you (probably) don't know how much your reply meant to me.Indeed,I've just come to accept christ for real this year,and I'm still struggling,if not more than ever.I really wish I can honestly say that his love is everything I need but there are still factors that stop me from fully believing that at this point in time

can you please tell me what draws to to Christ,and how he got ur full confidence?
why do you believe in what you do?

 

[Fragrant Grace]

can you please tell me what draws to to Christ,and how he got ur full confidence?
why do you believe in what you do?
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Dear sister Ritsuka

I am going to spend some time praying before I answer you fully.

But for now I will just say that He, the Lord Jesus, is my every and only reason for living....and that is because of His love, the precious beauty of His love that fills my heart and soul, since I have been saved

We can only see a little of the ocean
when we stand at the rocky shore
But out there, beyond the eyes horizon,
theres more - theres more

We can only see a little of God's loving,
a few rich samples of His mighty store
But out there, beyond the eyes horizon
there is more - there is more

I will write soon dear sister

the Lord be with you

Julia

My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.
John 10: 27-28

 

[Faithful Son]

Ever since I was a little kid,I've been taught to supress my emotions.I've been taught that only weak people portray their emotions and let others know plainly how they feel.this led me to develop a low self esteem,as well as hurting myself,cause that's the only way that I can truly express myself..

Father draws us to Jesus sister:
John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:43-45

Once we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit guides us and leads us to find a better life and Jesus is the one that gives us our rest. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and He will make sure we are on the correct path, but only if we heed His calls.

God bless you sister.

 

[Brother Mike]

Glory......

Well, emotions are a touchy subject, When consoling with someone that needs advice on the Word of God, you can spend most of your time listening to how someone feels about something, and not get anywhere.

While the post is good about emotion suppression, I have always found that the emotions that are being suppressed are not the root of the problem. In fact, once someone gets all that junk out, and seems to have improved in getting with God, there are things inside that person that God reveals to me that the person has never considered. They are roots to things.

Negative emotions are the way someone responds because they don't have the truth about a situation.

For example on lady came crying to me about how her best friend had done her wrong over a money situation. She could not believe that this person would be so cold after years of friendship.

The Lord gave me the answer right away, but I asked anyway.
I asked if her friend knew Jesus?
She said that her friend was not saved.....
Then I asked how could she expect someone that follows the devil to walk in love toward you. I told her she should have not had those unrealistic expectations.

I keep myself distant from those that are not saved, and I stay away from Christians that always talk negative. If they want to talk, then it is going to be about the Word of God.

Growth in the Lord will bring a person to a place where what others do or say will not keep them upset very long. How they look at something will be in the Light of the Word, and not from a weak human state.

I had some Church friends run over to my house because tornadoes were spotted in the area, they were afraid and thought they would be safer with my family. They had yet seen the truth in God saying no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Leaving a place because the Spirit of the Lord told you and doing it because your acting on fear are two different things.

Emotions come from how you view things........Viewing things from the Word of God shows truth on the subject and gives understanding and comfort.

God has emotion, and we get our emotions from the creator, they were never designed to be hurtful, regretful, depressed, constant anger, bitterness, low self worth, ETC.......These are twisted emotions that are unhealthy, and in time can cause physical effects.
When these come up, instead of suppressing them, we should get the Word of God and get light on them to see them as they really are.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

emotions........ were never designed to be hurtful, regretful, depressed, constant anger, bitterness, low self worth, ETC.......These are twisted emotions that are unhealthy, and in time can cause physical effects.
When these come up, instead of suppressing them, we should get the Word of God and get light on them to see them as they really are.

I stay away from Christians that always talk negative. If they want to talk, then it is going to be about the Word of God.

My dear brother Mike

These feelings are sadly a reality in this sin torn world, and they affect Christians as well as non-Christians. Everyone's journey has a rocky stage....and circumstances could mean that even the most committed Christian gets into a rut with suppressed emotion, depression and low feelings.

As Christians we need to be receptive, loving and kind towards those who are going through emotional difficulties. Yes of course point out all the wonderful promises in His Word.....lovingly and kindly. We should seek to be ' a tender balm' to those in need...not like abrasive grade sandpaper.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you....Ephesians 4:32

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1: 4,5

May the Lord richly bless you brother with His love, joy and peace

Julia

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

dear sister,

Indeed,I've just come to accept christ for real this year,and I'm still struggling,if not more than ever.I really wish I can honestly say that his love is everything I need but there are still factors that stop me from fully believing that at this point in time

can you please tell me what draws you to Christ,and how he got ur full confidence?
why do you believe in what you do?

I understand that getting to believe or being fully confident with the Lord is a process as it was done in my life. When i got to accept Christ, still a lot of questions remained in my mind of who really He is? BUt God honors an honest querry Sister. I prove this myself. God reveals Himself to us through His Words. In getting to know Him better or more and more we need to read and read and reread His own Love Letter to us - human kind - the BIBLE. And whatever the Scripture has to say about Him, we should believe and trust it. That's how we can build our confidence in Christ.

To believe or to have faith means "to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1. Though we don't see God, we are sure of Him and there's certainty in all what he has promised us in His word.

Again i repeat "GOd honors an honest querry."

Jesus said, "If we hold on His teaching, we are really His disciples. Then we will come to know the truth, and the truth will set us free." John 8:31-32


God bless you and may God continue to draw you nearer to His presense.



In CHrist,


Sis. Reymielin