It happens to the best of us.
Actually, it happens to ALL of us.
A spiteful remark to your spouse in the heat of an argument. A raised voice to the kids when they just won’t listen. An emotional meltdown after a particularly hard day.
We’ve all had our fair share of hot mess moments. And they’re often followed with shame and regret.
But what does God say about emotions? How does He respond when our feelings cause us to spiral out of control?
Fortunately, we don’t have to wonder. The Bible is packed with examples of our ancient ancestors experiencing their very own meltdown moments.
So, let’s look at a few and see what we can learn about how to deal with negative emotions.
Biblical Examples of Emotional Meltdowns…
David
David was no stranger to venting his emotions. The Psalms are filled with his highs and lows. Psalms 22 is one of those Scriptures.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads. (verses 6-7)
And later in the same chapter…
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death (verses 14-15)
David sure isn’t pulling any punches here! He’s about as low as a man can get. He feels rejected by people and abandoned by God. He’s physically and emotionally spent.
We can’t be sure what trials David was facing during this time, but one thing seems clear-he’s reached the end of his rope.
And yet, here’s what he goes on to write…
But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me. (verse 19)I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you. (verse 22)
David finishes the Psalm with praise and proclamations of God’s power.
What can we learn here? What does God say about emotions through this passage?
First, David is honest with God. He doesn’t sugarcoat his feelings or pretend like everything’s okay. He pours it all out.
Second, David asks for God’s help. He knows he can’t get himself out of his current situation. He recognizes his need for a Savior. And he’s not shy with his requests!
Third, David’s strong emotions don’t keep him from praising and honoring God. David ends his Psalm with worship, despite his troubles. He acknowledges God’s power and providence, despite his current situation.
Elijah
In the following passage Elijah, the prophet is fleeing for his life from an evil queen. He’d been traveling all day through the desert when he reached his breaking point.
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am not better than my ancestors who have already died.” (1 Kings 19:4)
Elijah was definitely in the middle of an emotional meltdown. He was so discouraged and weary that he was suicidal!
So, what happened?
First, God took care of his physical needs. He slept and then ate. His strength was restored and he traveled to Sinai where, like David, he poured his heart out to God.
I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your alters, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too. (1 Kings 19:10)
Elijah may have worked through his suicidal thoughts, but he was obviously still struggling. So, what did God do?
He sent help.
He gave instructions to Elijah about finding a successor. This is when we first meet the great prophet Elisha.
What can we learn here?
First, we see again that God doesn’t shy away from big emotions. Telling him exactly how we feel is not only okay, but healthy.
Second, Elijah’s emotional response was also followed by obedience. He did exactly what God said and went to find Elisha. His deep discouragement didn’t keep him from trusting and following God.
Hannah
Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:10)
Hannah was praying at the Tabernacle in such an emotional state that the local priest thought she was drunk! But Hannah was far from intoxicated. She was struggling with a heartache all too familiar for so many women…she was unable to have children.
I am very discouraged, and I was pouring my heart out to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow. (1 Samuel 1:15-16)
Hannah had been praying for a child for years. Prayers that had seemingly went unanswered. Not only that, but she’d watched her husband’s other wife have multiple children and taunt her relentlessly.
Hannah was at her wit’s end. What can we learn from what she did next?
First, Hannah took her grief and heartbreak straight to the Lord. Are you noticing a pattern? Just like our two previous examples, Hannah held nothing back from God. She wasn’t ashamed of her emotions or her struggle. And she didn’t try to hide them.
Second, she didn’t give up. She’d been petitioning the Lord for years for a baby. But that didn’t stop her from asking again. Just like David, she asked God for help. Her shaken emotions didn’t cause her to lose her faith.
(The answer to the question, “What does God say about emotions?” doesn’t end here! Find more bible verses about overcoming anxiety and fear here.)
Four takeaways from these heroes of old…
David is one of the most famous kings of all time. In the lineage of Jesus and a man after God’s own heart. Elijah was one of the greatest prophets in the Bible. And Hannah was the mother of Samuel, one of the most influential leaders of his time.
Yet each one of these heroes of the faith walked through tricky emotions…just like us. From them we can learn four things about how to navigate our own hot mess moments.
1. Be honest with God.
Your emotions don’t shock or overwhelm God. He created you with them after all! Bring him your grief, your discouragement, your uncertainty, and your fear. He’s ready and waiting to listen and comfort as only He can.
2. Never give up.
Don’t let your meltdown moment cause your faith to falter. Keep asking God for help. Keep seeking His face. And keep believing in His good promises for your life. Even if they aren’t reality yet.
3. Praise Him anyway.
Praising God isn’t always done with a smile on your face and a happy heart. In fact, some of my deepest times of praise came in the middle of some of my greatest struggles. Make the choice to praise Him, even it it’s the last thing you feel like doing.
4. Obey.
God just may use your emotional breakdown as an opportunity to get your attention. If that’s the case, listen and obey. The Bible has proved it true time and again…your obedience can change the trajectory of your current situation.
(Need more help navigating negative emotions? Check out this post about ten tips for a less anxious life.)
What does God say about emotions?
I’m not advocating that we constantly ride an emotional rollercoaster. Or that we let our feelings dictate our reality.
Emotions are fickle. They ebb and flow with every changing circumstance. We must be a people grounded in faith and stable in truth.
But I am saying that God understands our emotions. He created us as emotional beings. He’s not ashamed of our tears or surprised by our anxiety.
We don’t have to hide any of it from Him. In fact, He wants us to come running and let Him love us through it all.
So, take a cue from the heroes of old.
Vent. Ask for help. Praise. And obey.
Then move forward with confidence, knowing that even in the middle of your most emotional moments, you’re in pretty good company.
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