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Feel Your Emotions

 

To feel your emotions (Romans 12:15) is to grow in virtue, which leads to true happiness. The goal is to intentionally understand what you feel at least once per day, and then grow from there to multiple times per day. The following are examples of ways to feel your emotions every day:​​​

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• Recognize common negative feelings that trigger near occasions to sin:

  • Bored​

  • Lonely

  • Angry

  • Anxious

  • Hungry

  • Stressed

  • Sad

  • Tired

• ​Recognize what you feel and why you feel that way based on these 8 basic emotions and some related emotions:

  • Joy (also Peace, Content, Happy, Ecstatic)

  • Sadness (also Lonely, Gloomy, Discouraged, Grief)

  • Fear (also Anxious, Worried, Insecure, Uncertain)

  • Anticipation (also Intrigued, Hopeful, Excited, Eager)

  • Anger (also Disappointed, Annoyed, Irritated, Vindictive)

  • Surprise (also Overwhelmed, Shocked, Speechless, Baffled)

  • Trust (also Secure, Admiration, Assured, Confident)

  • Disgust (also Contempt, Loathing, Displeasure, Repulsed)

• Journal and/or talk with someone you trust about what you feel and why.

• Reframe your emotions and choose what you want to feel.

  1. Identify the negative emotion and what is causing it.

  2. Challenge the emotion. Is it certain? What evidence is there for/against it?

  3. Consider alternate emotions or accept the emotion.

  4. Encourage yourself  with one or more of the "I Am" affirmations.​

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