If you don't deal with your emotional pain, it will deal with you and your loved ones. Pretending it doesn't exist won't help you get emotionally fit.

When a warning light comes on in a car, putting a piece of black tape over it won't fix the car. When a car is broken, it needs to be taken to someone who knows how the car works and understands how to fix it.

For a long time, I pretended that my pain didn't exist. I covered up my warning signs. My life did break down, and I was forced to face my feelings.

I walked away from God, telling HIM that I wanted no part of Him or His church. I made the statement to God that if and when His church became real, then I would come back. I was a divorced mother of one, no job, living on $120.00 a month, going from one bad relationship to another, hoping someone would rescue me. But not God! I was angry and hurt. I couldn't believe the infidelity I saw in the church. In the natural and spiritual! I didn't realize from what height I was about to fall.

I had to "get real" about who I was and who I was becoming. A few years later, I finally got real with God.

If we are not honest with Him about our emotions, we will die inwardly. God is the God of truth-and only the truth can set you free (see John 8:32).

If you are having trouble identifying what you are really feeling, and why it's affecting you, pray and ask God to show you any hidden hurts that need to be healed. Come out of the shadows into His light and be set free to fly!

Have you ever thought to yourself, I shouldn't be feeling this way? Why can't I be joyful about this?

It's time to get real with God. Voice to God your bitterness, your jealousy, your envy, your hatred, and your resentment.

The Scripture says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4-6, NKJ).

Many times we tell everybody, but God, how we feel, but we must never forget that He loves us despite any emotions that we are experiencing.

God sees behind the curtain that covers your heart. Don't give a performance for God; invite Him into the dark rooms where you hide your pain.

He promises to be your strength when you are weak. He will be a light in your darkness.

So get real with Him. Don't hide your emotions in your heart. Confess them to God, and ask Him to give you His strength to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

In closing, He has promised that when we "walk through the water, He will be with us and the river will not overflow us......."

Grace, grace, His marvelous Grace!

In, through and to HIM,
Deborha