Day 35 Nurturing Emotional Wellness
Made in the image of the God who feels
Our focus this week has been our emotions, including our capacity to express, learn from, and cultivate a wide range of emotions. What did you notice this week about your emotional well-being? How does it help you to think of yourself as made in the image of God who feels?
Last night I giggled as I went to bed. I felt happy. This came from having just finished a few hours of reading and research for a work related project and my recognition of how much I had missed that kind of stimulation. What energy is coming from doing something ‘newish’. That coupled with Day 34 focus on the power of play was a good reminder that God wants me to feel the range of emotions if I let myself.
The biggest thing I noticed about my emotional well-being over the past week is the need and desire to develop more joy and play/creativity in my life. I have noticed a tendency to be impatient with my own emotions (even though I am exceedingly gracious and patient with the emotions of other people… Hence the need to be intentional about self-care.)
Also, learning that “joy is a discipline“ = a huge revelation for me.
Realizing that I am created in the image of God who feels is a liberating revelation. I had not been aware of the extent to which I have internalized the concept that stoicism is the hallmark of a so-called good Christian, and that emotions are at odds with “proper discipleship”.