In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest myths many of us have believed about emotions: that they are either good or bad.

But what if emotions aren’t good or bad at all? What if they’re simply information?

Today, I’m unpacking why emotions and feelings should not be judged as positive or negative, and why that kind of language can actually make us afraid of the very thing God gave us to help us pay attention. Emotions are bodily responses. Feelings are the meaning we assign to those responses. And neither one is sinful, shameful, or something we have to run from.

Instead of calling feelings good or bad, I want to invite us to see them as pleasurable or painful. Pleasurable feelings often show us where a need has been met. Painful feelings often show us where a need has not been met yet. And that changes everything.

Because pain does not always mean something is wrong. Sometimes pain simply means there is something we need.

In this episode, I also talk about hunger pains, emotional needs, anger, boundaries, grief, and how Jesus modeled the full spectrum of feelings without sin. This is an invitation to stop judging what you feel and start getting curious about what your feelings may be communicating.

Life Work:

Write down every feeling word you can think of.

Excited. Angry. Sad. Frustrated. Joyful. Hurt. Peaceful. Disappointed. Whatever comes to mind.

Don’t judge the words. Don’t separate them into good or bad. Just write them down and begin noticing the full spectrum of feelings God created you to experience.