Why so much emotion?

Emotions. 

If you are like me (and I bet you are) your emotions can swing in 100 different directions an hour. It is quite amazing actually.

Yesterday, I was all over the map. One extreme to the next within seconds. Enjoying gut level laughs to full out snotty cries ALL DAY LONG. Aunt Flow was not visiting. I cannot attribute the hurricane of emotion to hormones. Simply to being a woman who feels deeply.

For many years I have been taught to loathe this part of myself as a woman. Questioning, why am I so dang emotional... all the time... in all seasons? Easily excited and then disappointed, easily attached and then let down, easily happy then sad, easily invested and then hurt.

But to be honest, I LOVE this part of myself. I love to feel deeply, to connect wholeheartedly. With people and situations. I find it frustrating when others don't. And, I despise how society views emotion as a negative, distinctly female curse.

Let's learn to appreciate the fact that emotions are normal, natural and necessary. Yet, understand that it is what we do with them that is the issue. How we process emotion allows us to exhibit beauty or chaos. Emotions not surrendered to grace can be destructive to our soul and others. They can severely damage relationships. However, emotions surrendered to grace can enhance all of these. It is our ability to feel deeply that is often our strength. It allows us to love, nurture and relate in powerful, life changing ways.

I believe that it is absolutely possible to exhibit PERFECT peace amidst the sea of emotion. All it takes is focusing on the right source. Christ alone.

"You will keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You"

~ Isaiah 26:3

So, as your emotions rise and fall today remember you are beautiful, emotions are natural and you get to choose how to respond to them. Allow yourself to experience them and surrender them to grace.