Emotions can be a tricky thing, and can also be overwhelming at times. I don’t know about you, but this pandemic and being in quarantine has made me feel A LOT of things.
Whether it’s things that have come up because of the quarantine, or things from a while ago that I still haven’t properly worked through. I think we can all agree that there’s been a wide range of emotions.
Personally, I am someone who feels things very deeply. Something I’ve recently realized about myself is that I tend to downplay my emotions, or feel I’m just being overdramatic. I don’t give myself permission to really feel what I need to. It just seems easier to go about my day and let myself get distracted by other things, instead of taking time to really process what I’m going through.
Can I just say that I’ve tried the ‘just pretend like it’s not happening and it won’t exist,’ method and it’s never worked? While pushing things down may seem like the safer, less hurtful option, it’s not what’s best.
So what has God been teaching me in quarantine?? LET YOURSELF FEEL. Whatever it is, you’re allowed to feel it! No matter if it seems big or small, or people are telling you it’s not a big deal or you’re being dramatic. What you’re going through is REAL. Your feelings MATTER. Your emotions are VALID.
The whole world is going through a collective, traumatic experience. Yet everyone is experiencing this in different ways. You might be feeling emotions like anger, fear, grief, peace, love, loss of control, contentment, and more. Whether you’re at home by yourself without a job, or you’re an essential worker coming face to face with people who are hurting. Maybe you’re home with family and loved ones, or you’re in a house where you don’t always feel safe there’s a lot of tension. Everyone is experiencing this so differently, and every experience is so real and life-altering.
So, whatever it is you’re feeling, give yourself the permission, the time, and the space to feel it. Psalms 34:18 ‘The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits ate crushed.’
God sees you. He knows you. He loves you. And He cares about your feelings and emotions more than you know. He is not afraid of how you feel, and He is so near and ready for you to draw close to Him. So don’t be afraid, and let yourself feel.
For more blogs by Heather, https://heathercondren.com/