Handling Strong Emotions

When Nothing Means Everything

Monday, April 9                             Luke 24:1-12
Read through this passage as though you are experi- encing these things first hand. What do you notice? How hard would it be to take in what was happening? What would you be thinking / feeling?

Read verse 5 again. What do you think this means? How often do you look for things that should give life, but often lead only to death and disappointment? How does Jesus lead you to things that really give life? Why do you think we so often continue looking for that same fulfillment in the other junk?

Tuesday, April 10                       Luke 24:13-27
What word or phrase jumps out at you from this passage? What do you think it means? What is God trying to communicate in this story?

Who did the two disciples say Jesus was? How is this description accurate? How does it miss the bigger picture? What, then, is Jesus' response to them? How does Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fit into the overall plan beginning with Moses and before? What does this tell you about God?

Wednesday, April 11                    Luke 24:28-35
In reading this passage, what is the author trying to communicate about Jesus? What other passages of Scripture does it bring to mind? How is it the disciples didn't recognize Jesus until after verse 30?

What made the hearts of these two disciples come alive, according to this passage? Read Hebrews 4:12. How have you experienced that in your life?

Thursday, April 12                          Luke 24:36-49
Is there a particular part of this passage that strikes you? What does He command? What does He promise? What is the significance of Jesus eating?

Verse 38 poses a question we have all dealt with at one point or another. What is the source of most of your doubts about Jesus or Christianity? If the resurrection is true, how does this impact those doubts? How would that impact the way you live?

Friday, April 13                                Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-3
What is the response of the disciples to this whole series of events? In your life, how often do you experience that response to Jesus? Why? How can you grow in your ability to worship? To experience joy?

Verse 3 states that Jesus taught the disciples about "the Kingdom of God." What do you think He taught? Read Matthew 5:1-12. What are the values of the Kingdom? How can you live out those values now? How are you doing at living out these values in your life? How do these values lead to joy?

Real Men Cry

Monday, April 2                          Luke 19:28-44

What is general mood of this passage? What is going on? How does Jesus respond? Why do you think He has this reaction (in v. 41)? What does that (and His words following) tell you about Him?

In verse 42, Jesus makes an interesting statement: "if you...had only known on this day what would bring you peace..." What do you suppose He means? Why is this such a significant statement? What is God saying to you in this passage?

Tuesday, April 3                                 Matthew 26:36-39
What emotion do you observe in Jesus? Why do you think He's feeling this way? How much of his future do you think Jesus knows at this point? How would you have felt?

How does Jesus handle these emotions? What does He do? Who did He take with Him? What did He ask them to do? How does that inform how we should handle our grief and the stress in our lives?

Wednesday, April 4                         John 16:17-22, 33
What is the context of this passage? How will the disciples grief turn to joy? How does the pregnancy analogy fit into that picture?
Verse 20 holds a larger truth for people who follow Jesus. What do you think this means for you and me? What does the world rejoice in that should make us grieve? How are we to handle that grief? How does verse 33 add to this picture? Is that just a promise of heaven, or is there something now? Why or how?

Thursday, April 5                            Psalm 30:4-5, 119:28-32
Read Psalm 30:4-5. What is the perspective offered in this psalm? What does it instruct us to do? Which thought it first? How have you experienced the truth of this psalm in your own life?

Read Psalm 119:28. When have you felt this way? What does it mean to be strengthened "according to [His] word?" In context, what does the author decide to do in light of his circumstances? What does he pray? What is the conclusion in verse 32? How have you experienced this?


Friday, April 6                              Revelation 21:1-4
Read this passage again, slowly. What strikes you about the imagery? What does it mean? What is the promise?

Do you find yourself longing for heaven? Why or why not? What makes heaven so much better / more complete than what we have now? How will it be different? What part of that is most appealing to you? Spend some time thanking God for this promised future.

Guilty Freedom

Monday, March 26                     John 16:7-11

What does this passage have to say about guilt? Is guilt, then, always bad? When can it be good? How can guilt affect us in a positive way? When does it become a bad thing?

Being a Christian changes the equation a bit...how do you see us belonging to Jesus changing the way we should experience guilt-at least as this passage draws it out? How have you experienced that freedom from guilt? Spend a few moments thanking God for His gift to you.

Tuesday, March 27                           Romans 8:1, 31-33
This is an amazing, freeing passage about belonging to Jesus. In your own words, what is God saying in this passage? What is the emphasis? How does this relate to guilt and shame we tend to carry?

How would you answer Paul's question in verse 31? What should we say in response to knowing all this? What should we do? How should we feel? Can you rest in the truth of this verse? Is there anything keeping you from that rest?

Wednesday, March 28                        Hebrews 10:19-24
How do we have any confidence over guilt and shame? What does verse 20 say Jesus has opened for us? What does that mean? What does it instruct us to do, then (v. 22 and following)?

Is this a freeing passage for you? Why or why not? What picture does it paint of God? Of our access to Him? Have you ever thought about it like that?

Thursday, March 29                             Psalm 38:1-4; 32:1-8, 11
Read Psalm 38. Have you ever felt like this? What was the guilt over? How did you deal with the situation? How has it affected your life? Did you ever gain freedom from that guilt? How?

Read Psalm 32. What does this passage teach about handling guilt in a positive way? What does it name as the source of guilt? Is that true in your life? How does the psalmist handle his guilt? What does he experience in the end?

Friday, March 30                                    1 Timothy 1:15-17
What does this passage say, in your own words? How do you identify with Paul, the author? What, then, is the reason we can have freedom from guilt?

Why do you suppose we have such a hard time coming to grips with our sin-even just admitting that we are "sinners?" What is the freedom in admitting it? How have you experienced that freedom? How can you pass that along to others?

De-Greening Your Envy

Monday, March 19                                      John 4:5-15
How is this passage about envy? What is the problem that Jesus says we all face when it comes to wanting things? When have you experienced that sense of never being fully satisfied by what you drink or eat or buy? What does He promise as a solution?

When have you experienced being satisfied? What was involved? Describe the feelings associated. How, according to Jesus, can we get that at a soul-level?

Tuesday, March 20                   Psalm 73:1-5, 13-17, 28

Read through this passage. This psalm is so honest about the human condition of comparison and envy. How do you identify with the psalmist? His belief about others? His belief about himself?

What does he end up with as his solution (see v. 17, 28)? How have you experienced the rest that comes from this? Read Matthew 11:28-30. What does Jesus promise us when we lay down our perceptions and envy? How do you need that today?

Wednesday, March 21                       Ecclesiastes 4:4, 6; Matthew 6:31-33

Do you agree or disagree with Solomon's statement in Ecclesiastes that all work comes from one man's envy of another? What is the truth in that statement? What does verse 6 have to say?

Read Matthew 6:31-33. What does Jesus prescribe here for a fulfilled life? How have you experienced the truth of this passage? How are you doing in following Jesus' instructions?

Thursday, March 22                      James 3:13-16; Jeremiah 9:23-24

What does James say about envy? Where does envy reside? What is it a sign of? How is this true in your own life? What can we learn from this passage about dealing with envy?

Read the Jeremiah passage. What does it say about what our values and priorities should be? Examine your life-how are you doing at living for these things instead of searching after vain pursuits? Jeremiah 9 has to do with a reorientation of the heart toward the things of God. How do these passages fit together?

Friday, March 23                             Proverbs 14:30, 27:4, 23:17

What do these proverbs say about envy? What do they mean? When have you experienced the truth of these passages in your own life?

Why do you think God is so adamant about envy? What damage can come of it? Read Proverbs 23:17-18. What is the solution here? What's the promise? Pray that God would guide you to understand and grow.

Facing Your Fear Factor
Monday, March 12 Mark 4:35-41
We all get caught up in the storms of life. What storm has been most recent in your life? Is there a storm you are going through now? Is there one you are dreading? What is the disciples' reaction to the storm? What has been your reaction to storms past, present, and future?

What is the disciples' reaction to the storm? What is Jesus' response? What was Jesus reacting to? How do you react to Jesus when he seems asleep in your life? What is Jesus showing the disciples about Himself in all this?

Tuesday, March 13                           Psalm 46:1-2. 27:1

How do these passages express a fear or anxiety? What are the circumstances going on in the life of the psalmist? What is his reaction? What do you think is the baseline worry/fear that this passage addresses?

What do these passage say about God? How is this comforting to you, especially in dealing with fear and anxiety?

Wednesday, March 14                      Mark 5:21-24; 35-43

What specifically is the synagogue ruler fearful of in this passage? The general fear is one of loss-have you ever had that fear? Do you still carry it? What is Jesus' response in v. 36? Is fear, then, a choice, the opposite of belief?

What is the reaction to Jesus at the home? Do you ever, internally, have doubt that Jesus can take care of your fears and anxiety? How has He done so in the past? Journal through some of those times as a way to remind yourself-and choose to believe!

Thursday, March 15                    1 John 4:16-19

What is the fear expressed in this passage? When it comes to God, have you ever felt that fear-of punishment, and not grace? Why? What is your image of God? What image does this passage paint?

It has been said that perfect love casts out fear. Why do you think this is true? What about love (especially God being a God of love) chases away fear? Read Romans 8:31-32. How does this impact the way you relate to God? To others?

Friday, March 16                      Isaiah 41:10

This is the very voice of God to His people. What is the command in this passage? What is the promise? How can you grow more secure in the promise?

This passage doesn't mean that we won't have to go through hard things, things that can cause anxiety and fear...but what does it promise in the midst of that? How often, when you hit a hard spot, do you look for solutions instead of looking for God who is with you? What's the difference?

Being Good and Mad
Monday, March 5 Matthew 5:21-24
What new standard of right and wrong is Jesus creating in this passage? How does he link anger with murder? Why do you suppose He makes that leap? What is the negative inner attitude?
Who is the offending party in this passage? Who bears responsibility for reconciliation? What inner attitude (positive) is this stressing? When do you notice these attitudes in yourself? Is there anyone in your life whom this passage brings to mind? How can you initiate reconciliation?

Tuesday, March 6 Ephesians 4:25-32
Read this passage in its entirety. If you had to rephrase it in 2 sentences, what would those be? In other words, what is Paul getting at here? How are these two paragraphs connected?

In verse 26-27, Paul gives very specific instructions about dealing with anger. What are they? Why do you think these two thoughts are so closely allied? What is the progression of words and actions in v. 31? When have you experienced this? What is the answer, according to v. 32?

Wednesday, March 7 James 1:19-21

This is another passage of scripture that deals directly with anger. What is the attitude that James is getting at in v. 19 that leads us to be slow to anger? What is the reason James gives for this attitude (v. 20)?

What is the prescription offered (v. 21)? How do you react, internally, to this directive? Why? What does morality have to do with anger? Again, is there a relationship that comes to mind in which this counsel (v. 19) would be helpful?

Thursday, March 8 Proverbs 29:8, 11

Of what two types of people do these passages paint a picture? Where have you seen the truth of these passages? Is there a distinction between "blowing off steam" and giving "full vent to [your] anger?" If so, what is it? What do you think is the healthy/godly amount of venting?

What is the heart and mindset of the wise person here? How can you cultivate that in your own life? Is there someone in your life with whom you can vent (in a healthy way), yet who won't let you get away with unjustified anger?

Friday, March 9 Num 14:18; Neh 9:17, Ps 86:12-15; Ps 103:8

This refrain is repeated throughout the Old Testament. God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Do you see God like this? If we were fully able to see God in this light, how could it change the way we act toward others, particularly when we react in anger?

Week of Feb 28 Mark 14:32-36

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Monday, February 26             Mark 14:32-36
What emotion is Jesus dealing with here? When was the last time you felt this way? Does it comfort you to know that even He dealt with being overwhelmed? Why or why not?
How does Jesus deal with His emotion? How does that inform how we should deal with our emotions? Does that seem real or practical to you? Why or why not? How can prayer be a benefit to you during these times?

Tuesday, February 27           Habakkuk 3:17-18

In this passage, all kinds of things go wrong...have you ever had a time where it seemed as if everything that could go wrong did? What emotions did that bring on? How did you deal with those emotions?

In this passage, the prophet acknowledges his situation. But what does v. 18 say about his focus and his heart? How can we, even in bad situations, take joy and rest in God? Is that realistic? Read Philippians 4:7.

Wednesday, February 28             Psalm 16

What emotions are listed in this psalm? When and how do you experience these in your daily life? What is the source of these feelings?

Is there an emotion or a thought that jumps out at you in particular? Maybe one that you are feeling or dealing with today? What is it? Is it challenging or encouraging to read through this psalm? Take some time today to pray that God would lead you to handle this emotion well.

Thursday, March 1                      John 10:10

What are some of the ways that the "thief" comes to steal, kill, and destroy? What are the emotions that are tied into that? Do you easily recognize them (and their source) when they arise in you? In light of their source, how do they deserve to be dealt with?

What are some of the ways that we feel the life that Jesus gives? What are the emotions? How have you experienced this full life?

Friday, March 2                            Hebrews 4:7

What does this passage communicate about emotion and prayer? What does it say about how God feels about our emotions? What does it say about how we should channel those emotions? How are you at doing so?