Did you know that emotions can alter the perceptions of real events? When we are in a state of emotion, we are propelled toward what we are imagining. In other words, emotion is the energy dynamo, or the motivating power of the mind. If two emotions exist at the same time, the dominant one wins out over the weaker one, such as in the example of a ball player wanting to hit a home run, but striking out because of his more powerful fear of doing so. Caught in the fear, if he imagines striking out he is more prone to doing just that as the idea of missing the ball is emotionally energized right into the subconscious.
This is just one example of how fear can dominate our thinking. We cannot give into fear at any time. Fear has been defined by some as False Evidence Appearing Real. We as Christians have to operate with faith. The Bible is very clear in Hebrews 11: 6: But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him. Walking by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7) will help us eliminate the issues associated with being led by our emotional makeup.
Basic Definitions
- Emotion: any specific feeling; any of various complex reactions with both mental and physical manifestations, as love, hate, fear, anger
- Ambivalence: simultaneous conflicting feelings toward a person or thing, as love and hate
- Apathy: lack of emotion; lack of interest, indifference
Specific Emotions
- Agape: spontaneous, altruistic love
- Amusement: entertained, laughing, smiling; pleasantly or enjoyably occupied or interested
- Anger: a feeling of displeasure resulting from injury, mistreatment, or opposition and usually showing itself in a desire to fight back at the supposed cause of this feeling. Anger is an emotion related to one’s psychological interpretation of having been offended, wronged, or denied, and a tendency to react through retaliation. Anger is a symptom, a way of cloaking and express feelings too awful to experience directly—hurt, bitterness, grief, and most of all, fear.
- Bored: to be weary by being dull, uninteresting, or monotonous
- Comfortable: a state of ease and quiet enjoyment, free from worry, pain, etc.
- Courage: the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult or painful instead of withdrawing from it; the quality of being fearless or brave
- Cowardice: shamefully excessive fear of danger, difficulty, or suffering