during holiday’s emotions run high n n in the holidays we often think back upon loved ones and...

During Holiday’s Emotions Run HighDuring Holiday’s Emotions Run High

In the holidays we often think back upon loved ones and past times in our lives.



So many things cause us to reflect. This may bring many emotions.



So many things cause us to reflect. This may bring many emotions.

In cases of sadness or regret it is important that we be able to move on and serve God today! (Phil 3:13-14)


Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.


Our emotions are given from God and are to be understood and controlled!


The issue for each of us is to walk by faith and not by feelings. (Prov 14:12)


Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) - There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.


At the same time we must not run away from how we are made! Men especially think that expression of emotions are a sign of weakness.


Let us examine how men of faith both recognized and responded in emotional times.

What is loneliness?What is loneliness?

It is the “state of being alone” or the pain caused by the desire for companionship.


It is the “state of being alone” or the pain caused by the desire for companionship.

Towards the end of Paul’s life he experienced the pain of standing alone. (2 Tim 4:16)


2 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV) - At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.


There are events that can suddenly thrust us from a world surrounded by people to a hostile world where we are alone. (Job 29:4-12; 30:10-11, 26-29)


Job 29:4 -12 (NKJV) - Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me;


6 When my steps were bathed with cream, And the rock poured out rivers of oil for me! 7 “When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square, 8 The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood; 9 The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth; 10 The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.


11 When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me; 12 Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper.


Job 30:10-11 (NKJV) - They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face. 11 Because He has loosed my bowstring and afflicted me, They have cast off restraint before me.


Job 30:26-29 (NKJV) - But when I looked for good, evil came to me; And when I waited for light, then came darkness. 27 My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me. 28 I go about mourning, but not in the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry out for help. 29 I am a brother of jackals, And a companion of ostriches.


There is a good probability that you will walk down this path in your life!



One can be lonely in the midst of people!



One can be lonely in the midst of people! There is a longing for a certain kind of

companionship. A companion to share your joys and to bear your hurts.



One can be lonely in the midst of people! There is a longing for a certain kind of

companionship. A companion to share your joys and to bear your hurts.

It may be the longing for just one person to do this.


This should be what people find here at this church! (1 Cor 12:23-26)


1 Corinthians 12:23-26 (NKJV) - And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,


25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.


Even when one is rebuked by those who care there is a support for that one that allows healing. (Heb 12:12)


Hebrews 12:12 (NKJV) - Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,


Many come to churches to hide and run away rather than be involved with others! Mega-churches with big shows are popular but do little for the spirit.


Many come to churches to hide and run away rather than be involved with others! Mega-churches with big shows are popular but do little for the spirit.

Some churches neglect some or may not be aware of others needs.


The emotions from loneliness is not wrong, we must not however let ourselves live in them!


You can be single and not be lonely. (1 Cor 7:32-33)


1 Corinthians 7:32-33 (NKJV) - But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.

What are the fruits of loneliness?What are the fruits of loneliness?

You do not feel complete and secure. (Ecc 4:9-10)


Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV) - Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.


You tend to look upon the past. (Job 29:1-5)


Job 29:1-5 (NKJV) - Job further continued his discourse, and said: 2 “Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me; 3 When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness;


4 Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me;


Could Job return to the past?


Could Job return to the past? However Job’s past could be an

encouragement to his here and now! (Psa 22:1-5)


Psalm 22:1-5 (NKJV) - My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;

And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.


4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.


You tend to focus upon yourself.


You tend to focus upon yourself. This is natural, as it is like being hungry.

You cannot help but notice!


You tend to focus upon yourself. This is natural, as it is like being hungry.

You cannot help but notice! You are made to feel different and even

unwanted. (Job 30:9-10)


Job 30:9-10 (NKJV) - “And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword. 10 They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face.


It can drain your energy.


It can drain your energy. You can second-guess yourself and even

second-guess God!


When left alone our emotions can grow and eventually create their own reality. (1 Kings 19:4,14)


1 Kings 19:4 (NKJV) - But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”


1 Kings 19:14 (NKJV) - And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”


Consider some men of faith who were alone and in pain.


Jesus – (Psa 69:20, Jn 16:31-33)


Psalm 69:20 (NKJV) - Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.


John 16:31-33 - Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”


Paul – (2 Cor 7:4-7)


2 Corinthians 7:4-7 (NKJV) - Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.


6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.


King David – (Psa 142:4)


Psalm 142:4 (NKJV) - Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

Harmonizing our emotions and our faithHarmonizing our emotions and our faith

We must choose to instill God’s word as our reality. (1 Jn 5:3-4)


1 John 5:3-4 (NKJV) - For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.


How often do you find a passage to “hold on to” during emotional times? (Psa 57:1)


Psalm 57:1 (NKJV) - Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.


In our Bible study in good times we should be preparing ourselves now for the emotional times. (Psa 119:11)


Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) - Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.


Worship is the way we can bring the spiritual truth back into focus.


Worship is the way we can bring the spiritual truth back into focus.

How often in the psalms do you see trouble mentioned and then how comfort was found in worship? (Psa 56:6-7, 9-11)


Psalm 56:6-7 (NKJV)- They gather together, They hide, they mark my steps, When they lie in wait for my life. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God!


Psalm 56:9-11 (NKJV) - When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. 10 In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), 11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?


How did Jesus find comfort before the cross? (Mt 26:38-41)


Matthew 26:38-41 (NKJV) - Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”


40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”


If we do not worship like this alone then we often will be overcome.

Some wisdom to rememberSome wisdom to remember

Always seek the truth. (Phil 4:8-9)


Philippians 4:8-9 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.


Do not run from what has happened, it will only compound the hurt.


Do not run from what has happened, it will only compound the hurt.

Often we will need to stop and think “what is really true and what are my emotions leading me to believe?”


Always be thankful! (Phil 4:6-7)


Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


We tend to be negative and as a result miss reality.


God wants us to be thankful during suffering because He will use that too for our good. (Phil 1:29-30; Rom 5:3-4)


Philippians 1:29-30 (NKJV) - For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.


Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) - And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.


Always look for God’s provisions.


Always look for God’s provisions. How did Paul and David overcome their

loneliness? (2 Tim 4:16-18; Psa 142)


2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NKJV) - At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.


18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!


Psalm 142:1-7 (NKJV) - I cry out to the Lord with my voice; With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me.


4 Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. 5 I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I.


7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”


You should get busy in God’s work by sharing burdens with faithful Christians and by collective worship. These are just a few of the many things that can lift us up.


You should get busy in God’s work by sharing burdens with faithful Christians and by collective worship. These are just a few of the many things that can lift us up.

Consider how Paul overcame an emotional time. (2 Cor 7:4-7)


2 Corinthians 7:4-7 (NKJV) - Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.


6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.


Be humble and see the needs of others. (Phil 2:3-4)


Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.


In good times we can benefit and prepare for the day that we suffer.


There is a powerful strength that comes from sharing one another’s burdens. (Heb 10:33-34)


Hebrews 10:33-34 (NKJV) - partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.


Let us be faithful in both good and bad times!


It is not so much as what happens to us but rather that we can overcome. (Rev 2:7,11,17; 21:7)


Revelation 2:7 (NKJV) - “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’


Revelation 2:11 (NKJV) - “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’


Revelation 2:17 (NKJV) - “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’


Revelation 21:7 (NKJV) - He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.


Let us rejoice in the way God has made us and with wisdom serve Him.

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