“Be angry or disturbed, but do not act negatively; do not let the sun set on your upset.”
Ephesians 4:26
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- In this passage, from the section sometimes called, “Rules for the New Life,” the Writer to the Ephesians (numerous biblical scholars doubt Disciple Paul’s authorship) shares precepts for living as a spiritually mature person in community with others. The writer encourages you to acknowledge your feelings without acting out, and harming yourself and/or others.
- Sometimes people on the spiritual path believe they shouldn’t have any negative feelings because negativity is “unspiritual.” Yet, feelings are divine messengers that support your absolute wholeness—mind, body, and soul. Ignoring them isn’t spiritual; it’s a form of self-neglect that harms your physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as your relationships.
- When you’re willing to tune into yourself, you can be curious about what you feel and probe deeper. Like using a scope to pinpoint a specific area, you can notice what negative feelings, such as anger, frustration, or jealousy, are telling you. You stop judging yourself and others so you can discover what matters most to you—what you value and need for your wellbeing and for those in your care.
- Emotions vibrate on a cellular level and thus affect your body. During her healing process in the late 19th century, Metaphysician and Unity Co-Founder Myrtle Fillmore discovered that unacknowledged, unexpressed thoughts and feelings delayed her full recovery. She realized: “I had tried to keep my feelings to myself, taking great pride in the fact that I never let anyone know how I felt when anything displeased or hurt me. I found that I did not feel as sweet and poised on the inside as I seemed outwardly. I began to watch and redeem this state of mind. I determined to handle all that came to me, before I ‘swallowed it’ and allowed it to irritate, cut, and weaken my nerves and organs.”
- Much modern-day research proves her point. The fields of medicine, biology, and psychiatry, for example, reveal that your body functions based on the messages it receives, like coding within a computer system. Those such as Dr. Francesca McCartney in Body of Health, Dr. Judith Orloff in Emotional Freedom, Dr Candace Pert in Molecules of Emotion, and Dr. Bruce Lipton in Biology of Belief detail the physiological effects that trauma, repressed emotions, negative thought patterns, and unhealthy behaviors have on your body.
- Demonstration is your evidence of how well your life works. When you recognize yourself as a spiritual being with a radiant soul, living in a divine body temple, having human experiences, you can monitor and manage your behavior and reactions. You can choose consciously to notice and transform negative feelings for your greatest emotional wellbeing.
Contemplation Questions:
As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:
- What negative feelings are swirling within me?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies.
- When I consider these feelings, what do they want to tell me?
- Take your time with this. Get grounded in a quiet, meditation space. Tune into your breathing. Then, just stay present. When you’re ready, list, word map, or illustrate the first thing(s) you notice.
- What are at least three (3) ways I can express my feelings in healthy, healing ways?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you imagine.
- Based on my emotional revelations, how can I heal my body, mind, and soul?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you imagine.
Use this devotional whenever you want to quiet the inner critic and access your divine nature. Give yourself space to turn within. Ground your body. Breathe deeply. Observe yourself without judgment. Let your intuition, your still, small voice, speak as it will. Honor yourself, and trust that you’re healing and transforming from the inside out.
© 2024 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
Photo from Shutterstock by Pascal Huot.
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