Emotions

Our western society over-emphasizes emotions. Emotions are fickle. They need the assistance of reason in order to contribute to a productive life. I would say, we are influenced by our feelings, AND we can influence them. It works both ways, but to be CONTROLLED by feelings is to be enslaved by them. That should not be. 

In the social skills program „PATHS“ (Program for Alternative Thinking Strategies), the children in our school learned to recognize feelings, and to tell the difference between positive/ good feelings and negative/ bad feelings. In the course of primary school they learned to name feelings at increasingly intricate levels, and to deal responsibly with them. I believe this process of creating an inner space between „having“ and „being“ feelings is an important factor of maturity.

Attitudes are shaped in this ongoing process of evaluating our experience. The process is informed by our faith assumptions. The Bible talks about the „flesh“ (our biological nature, feelings) and the „world“ (social secular influence, values) being opposed to the „Spirit“ (our connection to God). These are helpful metaphors for the maturing process.

In his fascinating book „The Book that made your World“, Vishal Mangalwadi shows in detail how the Bible has informed the success of western society by forming attitudes in science, economy, governance etc. He shows vividly how the earnest followers of Jesus have brought human flourishing to other societies - and how the negligence of our Christian roots is bringing decay to the western culture.

May we be firmly rooted in God’s Word and resist the tides of our secularized culture!