Day 3: Emotionally Available

KwangHo Shin’s paintings explore the complexity of human emotions that are difficult to put in words, but express those feelings through colorful brushstrokes.

Warm-Up:

Pray:

“Father, Nehemiah did not hold back the tears when he heard the news from Jerusalem. He sat down and wept. You created me with the capacity to feel. Help me feel. Show me how to navigate my emotions in a healthy way. Help me see that my emotions are not instructions to follow but rather information to be curious about.”

Round 1:

Read Nehemiah 1:4 and Psalm 147:3

Round 2:

Write down the following list of emotions:

• Happiness

• Sadness

• Anger

• Frustration

• Overwhelmed

• Fear

• Regret

• Joy

• Love

• Anxiety

• Anticipation

Round 3:

If you did the Day 2 Soul Workout, look over the list you wrote down of things that are not okay. Which emotion do you feel the strongest as you look over those things? Circle that emotion on the list above. If your strongest emotion is not on the list, add it to the list and circle it. If you are numb and not feeling at all, write that down.

If you did not do the Day 2 Soul Workout, look over the list of emotions and determine which one you feel the strongest today. Circle it. If your strongest emotion is not on the list, add it to the list and circle it. If you are numb and not feeling at all, write that down.

Burn Out:

Invite God into your emotions. Be curious about what you are feeling and why you are feeling it. If you are numb, be curious about why you don’t feel. What do you think God is saying to you about your feelings? Are they justified? Do they need to be redirected? Do you need to move forward? Write down some thoughts if that’s helpful. Shout for joy if you need to. Shout out of frustration if necessary. Cry if need be. Just remember that you are not alone in your emotions or lack of emotions. God is there too.