***Listen To Audio Version: Through The Pain Audio 592
Today’s Devotional Scripture: “God is our Refuge and our Strength, a very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1 KJV
The Message For Today (July 15, 2026):
***Listen To Audio Version: Through The Pain Audio 592
Why are we surprised by our emotions?
Why do believers in Jesus Christ separate their emotions from their walk with Him?
I have talked to so many people who have walked through painful and tragic circumstances, and they almost always apologize for their emotions. Sometimes there is even a sense of shame. Shame for being angry or depressed because they have been betrayed by the one they have committed their life to.
Shame because grief overwhelms them, and some days they cannot get out of bed because of the losses that have been endured. Shame because they are isolated and feel so unseen by everyone. They are angry because they desire relationships and cannot attain them.
Are these emotions from God?
Does God want us to feel shame about them?
God is not surprised at our emotions. He has them, too, and we were created in His image. Does that mean every emotion we feel or act on is Godly? Of course not! I think we would all agree on that. When our emotions are in control, the Holy Spirit is not. However, that does not mean our emotions are not fully felt, can be valid, and that God understands them.
I want to take a look at a few verses in Psalms to share with you that feeling emotion is not a sin and can actually draw us nearer to God if we will be honest and continue talking with Him.
-Psalm 143:7
”7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.” (depression, sadness, fear, anxiety)-Psalm 142:2-3
”2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.” (feeling heavy, angry, anxious)
-Psalm 137:8-9
”8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.” (revenge, anger, unforgiveness, rage)
There are many more verses in Scripture, but these showcase emotions without sugarcoating. These were real people facing real challenges, difficulties, and heartbreak.
God does not condemn them for feeling this way.
Notice two things:
They are talking to God. The only One Who “...is near to the brokenhearted”(Psalm 34:18) can “Work all things out together for good”(Romans 8:28) and can answer us, “...because You are faithful and righteous” (Psalm 143:1).
They are being honest about where they are emotionally.
God does not ask us to hide our pain, anger, or anxiety from Him. In fact, He says just the opposite. Psalm 46:1 states:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
- Psalm 46:1 KJV
When we are overwhelmed by our emotions, it is a reminder to run to Him. Generally speaking, we feel strength when we have pleasant emotions. It is our painful emotions that lead to sin:
our words hurting others,
our anger being out of control,
our anxiety causing us paralyzation,
our vengeance overtaking our mind,
or our grief controlling us.
Our emotions are not sinful; it is how we choose to handle them.
There is absolutely a time for our emotions, but it is not for those to control us. Ecclesiastes tells us there is “a time for everything,” and 1:4 says, “ a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
Feelings are allowed. Behaviors that do not honor God are not.
C.S. Lewis talks about pain this way, “Pain insists upon being tended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
Pain is not the enemy.
Walking away from God because of our pain is. Not talking with Him anymore, acting out on our pain, and choosing to blame Him because of the pain of living in a fallen world are all dangers we face.
If you are in a difficult or painful season right now, please run to Him. Find a place of solitude and share your emotions with Him. He can handle it. He is not surprised. And it does not change how He feels about you. He adores you, and He wants to be the One you run to.
Closing Devotional Prayer
My prayer for you:
Father, help us to run to you first when the waves of pain and emotion rise to drown us. Thank you for understanding us and loving us through everything. Amen.
For His Glory,
Terrie Tollerson - www.TerrieTollerson.com
TRBC Women’s Life