A young man recently posed a profound question that resonates with many: “How can I better express my deeper emotions like joy, despair, wonder, and fear?” This question is not just about improving emotional intelligence; it’s about deepening our spiritual connections and expressing our heartfelt affection towards God and others.
The Struggle with Spiritual Expression
Many people struggle to articulate their feelings, especially those related to their spiritual life. This isn’t just about personal communication styles; it’s a spiritual issue that affects our relationships with God and with each other. For example, Augustine’s Confessions showcase a vivid and passionate way of communicating with God—something many of us aspire to but find challenging.
The Root of the Problem
The inability to express spiritual emotions can stem from deep-seated issues. It might be due to personality traits, past experiences, or even spiritual blockages. This lack of expression is significant because, as Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). If our hearts are full of love for God, shouldn’t our words reflect that? If there’s a disconnect, it’s an indication that something is amiss.
Steps Towards Emotional and Spiritual Expression
- Acknowledge the Issue: Recognizing that there’s a problem is the first step towards solving it. Understanding that this isn’t just a quirky trait but a barrier to spiritual intimacy is crucial.
- Heart Examination: It’s vital to examine whether our hearts truly harbor love for Christ and delight in God. This involves a deep, personal introspection to check if our emotions align with the spiritual experiences and commands described in the Scriptures.
- Identify and Address Sin: Often, our inability to express affection can be hindered by sin—pride, fear, or past hurts can stifle our emotional expressions. Identifying and repenting of these sins can lead to the freeing of our hearts.
- Scripture Memorization: Immerse yourself in the language of affection found in the Psalms and other expressive parts of Scripture. Regularly reciting these can help in forming words to express your feelings towards God.
- Community Influence: Spending time with believers who freely express their spiritual emotions can inspire and influence us to do the same. Emotions are often contagious, and being around expressive people can help unlock our own emotional expressions.
- Heavenly Perspective: Reflect on the expressive nature of heaven, where unbridled praise and love for God are the norms. Aiming to start practicing heaven’s language here on earth can motivate us to break free from our reservations.
- Evangelistic Impact: Consider how your expressions of faith could lead others to Christ. Just as David’s psalms have drawn many to God, your heartfelt expressions could have a profound impact on someone’s faith journey.
- Prayer for Freedom: Ultimately, it is God who frees our lips to praise Him. Regularly pray for God to open your lips and allow your mouth to declare His praises genuinely and freely (Psalm 51:15).
Embracing a More Expressive Faith
The journey to becoming more expressive in our faith is not just about personal growth; it’s about enhancing our witness to the world and deepening our relationship with God. By taking deliberate steps towards expressing our spiritual emotions, we not only enrich our own spiritual lives but also draw others closer to God.
In a world where many struggle silently with their spiritual expressions, opening up about these challenges and actively seeking growth can serve as a beacon of hope and encouragement to many. Let us move forward, aiming to reflect the joy and love of our faith not only in our actions but also in our words.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Faith Activist
Featured Image by Miran Lesnik from Pixabay
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