It is a mistake to think that you must feel love to give it. If, for example, I have a child, and I give up my day off to take him to a ballgame to his great joy, at a time when I don’t particularly like him, I am in some ways being more loving to him than if my heart were filled with affection. (Hardcover, p. 99; paperback, p. 105)
EMOTIONS AND BELIEFS. Emotions are not something we can just turn on or off, but our beliefs about our emotions are under our control. If we begin to resent someone, do we give in to that, or do we say, “That is not the person Christ is creating in me, the one who believes that I live only by God’s mercy and grace”? This changes our attitude. We can resist thoughts of superiority and resentment, and encourage thoughts of humility and forgiveness. So beliefs lead to attitudes, and attitudes lead to behavior and that can have an impact on the original emotion. We are not helpless in the hands of our emotions.
Reflection: Think of a strong, negative emotion. How can you, through belief and behavior, change the hold that emotion has over you?
Thought for prayer: Meditate on Psalm 77:12, where the distressed psalmist says to God: “I will . . . meditate on all your deeds.” Ask God for the same steely resolve to center your thoughts on his Word, especially when your emotions are high.