May 7, 2023

Emotional overload is the accumulation of a thousand disappointments that go unnamed.

The accumulation of a thousand disappointments that go unnamed will cause a simmering anger below the surface.

Colossians 3:8-9 (ESV) But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.

Anger: attitude of hostility

Wrath: eruptive speech

Malice: hurtful speech

Slander: insulting speech

Obscene talk: dishonorable speech

Lying: deceptive speech

Putting off the old self happens the moment a person comes to faith in Jesus, whereby the old practices no longer fit.

Colossians 3:10-11 (ESV) *and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

It is fitting that a follower of Jesus is progressively seeing people more like how Jesus sees people.

Greek and Jew: racial

Circumcised and Uncircumcised: religious

Barbarian and Scythian: cultural

Slave and Free: social

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another …

It is fitting that a follower of Jesus is developing a greater endurance for other people.

Colossians 3:13 (ESV) … and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

It is fitting that a follower of Jesus is extending forgiveness to those who have disappointed them.

Margin Principle #4:

Emotionally healthy people regularly assess what grudges they need to lay down.

Take an hour this week to write down as many disappointments as you can remember and begin to forgive.