Man vs. Feelings: The Biggest Mismatch in History

Sports Announcer 1: Hello everyone and welcome to the biggest mismatch in history...MAN vs FEELINGS.  
Sports Announcer 2: Thats right, Bob...this is the biggest mismatch and we are here to cover the battle's in's and out's tonight ladies and gentlemen.  In the past, MAN has always had a hard time facing FEELINGS in a match up like this.  
Sports Announcer 1: That is very true...the last match up like this ended up with FEELINGS chasing MAN around the ring until MAN got tired and FEELINGS laid the smack down on him.  
Sports Announcer 2: O yes...not a very good sight.  But, will the outcome be different tonight?
Sports Announcer 1: We'll see what happens.  so...MAN is on your right and FEELINGS is on your left...waiting for the bell...
*DING*  
Sports Announcer 2: And their off!  

Yes...as a guy, I'm not a big advocate for feelings.  I am not very connected with it, its scary and quite frankly, I have done a lot of running away from feelings.  In this day and age in this society, men who talk about emotions are seen as weak.  But what's interesting is there is a fear of dealing with feelings.  As guys we want to be seen as brave, but when it comes to feelings we want to ignore or hide or run away from it...so much for being brave.  Well, I am going to take the bull by the horns and discuss the biggest mismatch in history

More after the break...

I swear I am not saying that because I am an emotional person...cuz I am not!  For those of you who know me...you would almost never see me cry.  I literally have to be completely overwhelmed by sadness for me to actually drop a tear.  As a matter fact, I can hide my emotions pretty well...I basically just look very tired...and if anyone asks, I just say, "I had a long day..." (don't start thinking that I am emotional every time I look tired...because I can really just be tired...see the beauty of this disguise? :P) But...I digress.

So why am I saying this?  Well...I feel like I have been tested quite a lot recently mentally and emotionally.  It is extremely exhausting.  But, through all this, I have come to the conclusion that emotions is something that God has wired into us to find out joys, hurts, desires, passions, etc. in our heart.  It is in some ways an indicator what your heart is saying to you.  A lot of times, they even reveal your insecurities.  But...should emotions be ignored?

In a word...no!  

Let me explain.  I love to keep myself at peace.  But, there are many times that emotions show certain conditions of my heart that will overcome that peace.  For example, if you have read my Transitions series, you know that my past is full of baggage I had a hard time letting go of.  My natural emotion was depression, anger, vengeance, and maybe even a little violence.  But, all those things happened years ago.  As a kid 18 and younger back then, being manly mean to keep it all inside and not analyze how I felt and find healing.  Some things that had happened more than a decade ago, I still held onto, no matter how much I tried to run away from it...and it made me angry and depressed when I was reminded of those things.  After being a bit more mature, I realize I had to face my hurts, and find healing through Christ.  And that is what helped me forgive the people who had hurt me so long ago.

With that said...there is also something really important that needs to be addressed.  Analyzing your emotions has nothing to do with following your emotions.  I have found this out recently the hard way.  It was by God's grace that I caught this before it did more damage than it did.  Following your emotions can get you in trouble.  Let's go back to our old betrayal example.  If I did follow my emotions, I would have punched Jimmy Wong in the face that day I saw him at the supermarket.  But, obviously that isnt the right way to approach the issue.  Be extremely careful about following what your emotions are telling you to do...because feelings are irrational and the actions it urges you to do can be just as bad and can come with great consequences.

So...how do you deal with emotions?

I want to let you know...I am no expert.  I am still trying to figure it out myself.  But, this is what I think is the most ideal way to deal with it.  In any form of emotion...your heart is screaming for something...justice, revenge, hate, mercy, desires, healing, or (on a happier note), joy, excitement, passion, love, etc.  What's hard is, it can be a giant cocktail of different things.  This makes it hard to understand, scary to decipher, painful to endure and overwhelming.  But...whoever said you have to do it alone.  As part of my faith, I rely on God.  Being the One that created and programmed us, He knows what we are going through.  God wont take away what's going on instantly...but He will guide you in the right direction to find your insecurities and hurts.  Eventually lead you towards healing, and revelation of your identity.

Still are not convinced?  Id say give it a try...start Living on the Edge.  You will soon find the biggest mismatch in history is actually in your favor.