Emotions can cause all kinds of problems. Especially when those emotions are negative. Negative feelings are often deceptive combinations of fatigue, insecurities, and misunderstandings. But we still have them, still battle them. I don’t think we are ever free from the wars that rage in our minds and hearts. Though we all have different battles, the Enemy’s tactics are the same – bring up old hurts, old angers, past events that we thought we’ve moved beyond but discover bits and pieces of them linger. “Forgive and forget” is possible only for God. Humanity suffers from an abhorrent ability to recall all things negative and, too often, to forget the good.

I know this. Even as a fairly even-tempered person, I have my moments of losing control. Moments of anger or tears or extreme frustration. And I have been around long enough to know those emotions fade. They are replaced by happiness, humor, calm. Emotions are like waves in the ocean, rising and falling, guaranteed to change, but never disappear.

What God reminds me every time I face the emotional waves that threaten to drown me is that I don’t have to go under. I don’t need to let those waves toss me around and beat me up. They can only control me if I give them control. The Psalms teach us that our God is a refuge, an ever-present help in times of trouble. A port in the storm. I can cling to Him when my feelings crash in on me. He doesn’t always lift me out of those waves – Jesus Himself had to suffer through emotions far worse than any I will ever face – but He will provide me with the strength to withstand them. He will help me keep my head above water until the worst of it passes.

Maybe you’re feeling like your drowning right now. First, know you’re not alone. Second, know you don’t have to let those feelings win. Cling to the Rock, seek shelter in His arms. “This, too, shall pass.”