Posts with the category “emotions”

Loneliness is one of the most common human emotions, yet it can be one of the most difficult to overcome. Even as Christians who know God is always present, we can still experience deep feelings of isolation. Dr. Gary Oliver, a Christian counselor, has offered five practical steps to help conquer loneliness: [see Real Men Have Feelings Too (Chicago, Ill: Moody, 1993), 153-162.]1. Look Up: Develop ...  Read More

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9) Discouragement may be satan’s number one weapon. Adrian Rogers says, “There’s a legend that tells about the devil one day, who was auctioning off his tools—you know, the tools that he wrecks every work of God with—and he had all of his tools out there. There was pride, and the pri...  Read More

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)It's easy to let fear take over your thinking. Paul's prescription in this verse isn't complicated,...  Read More

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)Somebody has described worry as sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but you don't get anywhere while you're doing it. In the same way, worry gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. Actually, it hurts you in the long run. Anxiety has this way of consuming your thoughts, draining yo...  Read More

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" — Philippians 4:4At the turn of the 20th century, around 1905, a woman and her husband, an evangelist, traveled to New York. During their visit, they met an older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, who left an impact on them.The Doolittles had their share of struggles and ailments, yet they radiated cheerfulness and joy. Curious, the evangel...  Read More

"And [Jesus] said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.’" — Mark 4:26-27 (NKJV)Have you ever felt like your efforts for God aren’t making a difference? Like no matter how hard you work, pray, or serve, the results just aren’t visible? This feeling is especi...  Read More

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." —Psalm 139:7-8 (NIV)Mother Theresa once said, “The world’s greatest tragedy is unwantedness; the world’s greatest disease is loneliness.”[1]Philip Zimbardo, writing in Psychology Today, has said, “There is no more destructive influence on ...  Read More

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" — Psalm 27:1 (NIV) Sometimes, despite our best efforts, fear doesn't completely disappear before we need to act. In these moments, we can learn from Elizabeth Elliot, whose husband, Jim, was murdered by the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel. She shared about ...  Read More

"The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe." - Proverbs 29:25One of the most common fears that holds believers back is the fear of what others will think or do. This fear of man can prevent us from following God's direction, speaking truth, or stepping out in faith. Proverbs directly addresses this, warning that the fear of man is a snare - a trap that catches us...  Read More

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." — Psalm 56:3 (ESV)The dictionary lists about 700 kinds of phobias:Acrophobia: fear of high places.Claustrophobia: fear of closed places.Agoraphobia: fear of open places.Pathophobia: fear of disease.Ergophobia: fear of work.Photophobia: fear of light.Phobophobia: fear of fear. You don’t have to be a weak person to be a fearful person. Strong people are, so...  Read More