Oceans of Emotions
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 26:3, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Timothy 1:6-7
Introduction
World emoji day is July 17. This program will help to tap into the various feelings and emotions we might have, which are expressed in emojis.
Refreshments
Enjoy a variety of emotions with these dips. Provide appropriate items to go with the dips.
Angry: Hot Jezebel Dip https://dashfordinner.com/hot-jezebel-dip/ (Crackers)
Disappointed: Pickle Dip https://heartbeetkitchen.com/baked-ranch-pickle-dip/ (Potato chips)
Happy: Carmel apple dip https://midwesternhomelife.com/caramel-apple-dip/ (Apple slices)
Sad: https://efilres.com/the-no-name-dip/ (crunchy tortilla chips or crisp vegetables)
Ice Breaker
Emotional Puzzle. Print out 3 or 4 different emojis (happy, angry, depressed, disappointed, etc.) and put a corresponding Bible verse on the back. (example: Happy emoji=John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full.”). Cut the emoji page into 3-4 pieces (large enough to read the words on back).
Do this with all emojis. Mix all the pieces and give each person a piece. They have 3 minutes to find the other pieces of the puzzle and complete the verse. The first team to complete the puzzle wins a prize.
Emoji Quiz
Enjoy this fun video quiz where you guess the word by the emoji.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKI8meeiajo
Instead of a video, print one of the printable emoji quizzes and let the women enjoy figuring out what the emojis represent: https://worldofprintables.com/printable-emoji-quiz-with-answers/
Emotional Art
Canvas Painting. Download an emotion color chart for the women to reference.
https://upliftkids.org/emotions/
Using the color chart, choose colors that best describe your emotions this past week. Have the women paint a picture using those colors to depict their emotions. The painting does not have to be perfect or make sense. It is a way for you to express yourself in a creative way. Instead of painting a picture of something, perhaps allow the colors and emotion to drive the shape of your painting. Perhaps simply painting waves in the various emotional waves.
Coloring Pages. If you don’t like painting, use adult coloring pages (it would be easier if the coloring pages have patterns and designs, and aren’t pictures depicting something to color). Have the ladies color in the various shapes based on the emotions they have felt in the past week.
Emotional Worship Songs
Perhaps play these songs/videos as the women are painting or coloring.
- Oceans-Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GGFb6LcX3U
- Eye of the Storm-Ryan Stevenson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2FqFLKisys
- I Surrender All-Israel Houghton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wUVv_lszk0
- Joy – For King and Country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-r7ogDaaEQ
Oceans of Emotions
As a little girl, I wore my emotions on my sleeve. If I was happy, excited, or sad, everyone knew it. If I was angry, everyone knew it! Because of that, I was constantly being told to control my emotions. That worked for a little while, but sooner or later, those emotions would escape. I was constantly feeling guilty for feeling the way I did. I thought there was something wrong with me. I didn’t realize how important emotions were until I got to know Jesus. He expressed happiness, sadness, excitement and even anger; but He expressed them under the control of the Father. God created us with feelings and emotions, and they were created to be expressed, but with what purpose and how do we express them in a healthy way?
Philippians 4:4-7 describes a variety of emotions: Rejoice (vs 4)! anxiety, thanksgiving (vs 6) and peace (vs 7).
In this chapter of Philippians, believers are encouraging not to be anxious about anything and to lay down every situation (negative emotions) in exchange for what God has for us, which is “peace that surpasses understanding’ and ‘the guarding of your heart and mind.” (positive emotions).
Positive Emotions
There are several Scriptures that characterize positive emotions. Galatians 5:22-23, listing positive behaviors such as love, kindness, gentleness, joy. Colossians 3:12-14 explains how we are to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, patience and love. Bearing with each other and forgiving one another just as the Lord has forgiven us. All emotions that, without the Holy Spirit living inside of us, would be impossible.
How can we express our emotions in a biblical way?
- Keeping your mind focused on God and He will give you peace to manage your emotions. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
- Pursue the fruit of the Spirit through prayer, Bible reading, and intentionality, which will help you control sinful desires and express emotions in a healthy way. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24.
Negative Emotions
There is one common feeling that frequently holds our emotions captive: FEAR. Fear can push us to lash out in anger, hide, or drive us into making unhealthy choices.
Do not let the emotion of fear control your behavior, because it leads to a lack of self-control. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 1 Timothy 1:6-7
Another negative emotion that is often exhibited is worry/anxiety, which can be connected to fear. In Matthew 6: 25-34, Jesus taught “… do not worry about your life.” Worry demonstrates doubt of God’s love and provision for you, which only causes more negative emotions to take over your thoughts and judgment.
How God Handles Emotions
One thing we must be sure of is that God loves us, God loves you. Emotions may get the better of us, but even in our worst moments, our Father loves us. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). So, when those negative emotions start to bubble up inside who best to turn to in handling our emotions but God Himself. Only He can help us manage our emotions. God created in us the ability to feel emotions; they are a gift from God.
Allowing our emotions to take over and control us is not godly. Denying our emotions is also not godly. So how can we manage our emotions? By growing in our walk with God. We are to be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12: 1-2) and by the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in us, produces fruit of self-control (Galatians 5:23).
Our emotions can be the drive behind our successes but also our downfalls. There are positive emotions: joy and love; and there are negative emotions: anger and sadness. The more you spend time in His Word, meditate on God’s attributes, and know His heart through prayer, you will realize that emotions are good, even the strong ones. There will be times you will feel certain emotions must be expressed. As your relationship with God grows, you will learn that they are less about having your own way and more about having God have His way in you.
