When we desire God’s will and presence, we begin to experience genuine peace of mind or inner peace. But beware that painful emotions will try to creep back in. Fearful or angry thoughts attempt to sneak back in as we go about our day. Embarrassments and irritations may rush in during a moment of weakness. This can also happen when we awaken in the night. It is well known that stressful emotions may cause us to lapse into overeating. Stress has a huge effect on food consumption, causing some people to eat more and some people to eat less. Overeaters may harbor anger at people who have pushed them to lose weight, and the stress of this anger may sabotage their current efforts to change.
I’ve noticed that some people are more prone to fear, and others are more susceptible to anger. These are habitual emotional responses to the problems of life. Fear serves a practical purpose to keep us out of danger, but most of our fear reactions are unhealthy. For those of us who easily become fearful, it takes some convincing to realize we don’t have to live with the pain of fear. Anger can be cleansing initially—the first step in healthy self-assertion and rightful indignation. Chronic anger, however, rapidly devolves into belligerence and blaming. Anger might be even harder to deal with than fear. While fear is entirely painful, we get a perverse satisfaction out of being angry. Fear and anger weaken us and poison any hope of a happy life.
We don’t have to be emotionless, however. We can experience natural, downside emotions that are not contaminated with fear or anger. For example, I experience sadness and sorrow as cleansing emotions. I run into big trouble when I twist these pure emotions with fear or anger. A mixture of sadness and anger begets bitterness. Sorrow brewed with fear induces feelings of shame or chronic guilt. Allow your pure emotions and welcome the tears when they come.
The human mind can be hard to control and may even feel like an enemy. It can be stuck in fear or obsessive thinking. If you ever feel like you can’t get control of your mind, give your whole mind to God. When your mind is unmanageable, ask God to take over. Psychological counseling and medicine may also assist us. Do not confuse your conscience with God. The conscience can be harsh, but the leading of God is always gentle. Emotional healing is inner healing. We are made inwardly whole when the presence and love of God are within us.
Emotionally laden problems are very difficult solve. Giving the problem to God, and taking in his presence, help us get a proper perspective on even our most terrifying problems. It is so important to get our problems out of the mind and let God adjust our distorted thinking. We need the perspective and understanding of divine wisdom. We need to trust that God will help us see more clearly, and we need to know that he is with us in our struggles. When it is time to think about the problem again, think of it in God’s presence. Think with him. You do not have to handle anything alone. With God, there is always a way. He will illuminate a clear path through the tangles and thorns in every problem.
God is more than willing to heal us of fear and anger, but we need to release our grip on them as well. Every effort we make to let go of them will be met with an addition of divine power. We have work to do alongside God in the healing process. Do not hold in your mind those things that induce you to feel fearful or angry. Don’t keep a graveyard of bad memories and failures. Welcome, instead, the convictions of love and confidence. Rather than thinking about your regrets, problems, and fears, keep placing them in God’s hands. Welcome his love and be filled with his peace. Seek God’s presence and rededicate yourself to his will.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Psalm 37:8
It is here that prayer of supplication ends, with a dedication to God’s will. The will of God steadies and fortifies our higher desires. Life in the will of God brings peace from inner conflict. Living with God makes us whole and unified. The guidance of his will leads to discernment and wisdom. Surrendering to God opens the door to real freedom. The presence of God makes life simple and beautiful.
Now we face the world, and there are challenges ahead. Stand up with God and prepare to step forward with him.
Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:129–130
End of Part II
