| Taking out the trash is a chore that we do | | | | guilt. Now why is this necessary? Well, |
| not look forward to. We do it on a regular | | | | these negative emotions that arise from both |
| basis to get rid of the garbage and junk in | | | | perceived wrongs and guilt which are never |
| our home. We take the trash to the front | | | | confessed or expressed. These negative |
| curb or the rear alley way to be picked up | | | | emotions are garbage and junk that will move |
| and carried away - never to be thought of | | | | us in the direction of back roads, which will |
| again. | | | | bring us to a destination of pain and hurt. |
| | | | |
| Most of us wouldn't even think of allowing a | | | | Isaiah 53:4 explains that, "...The |
| bunch of smelly garbage and junk to build up | | | | chastisement for our peace was upon Him |
| in their home. However, many of us allow all | | | | (Christ)..." Chastisement is defined as |
| sorts of garbage and junk to build up inside | | | | punishing somebody. Peace is defined as the |
| of us - and often times we never take this | | | | freedom from oppressive emotions. In other |
| type of trash out at all. | | | | words Christ took punishment upon himself so |
| | | | that we could have freedom from negative and |
| The garbage and junk we allow to build up | | | | oppressive emotions like unchecked rage and |
| with in us can be broken down into two | | | | unyielding remorse. God never meant for us |
| negative emotional categories. The emotions | | | | to hold on such harsh emotions. |
| we feel when we wrong someone and the | | | | |
| emotions we feel when we are wronged. When | | | | Jesus wants us to confess our hurts and |
| we feel we are wronged, we may withdraw and/ | | | | wrongs. In other words, Christ as our |
| or hide our rage away from everyone - even | | | | personal high priest wants us to take the |
| those close to us. Or, we may lash out in | | | | garbage out and leave it on the curb for him |
| unrestrained rage against those we perceived | | | | to take away. Hebrews 4:14 says, "14 Seeing |
| to have wronged us. Often times when we lash | | | | then that we have a great High Priest who has |
| out in this manner, we have allowed anger to | | | | passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of |
| rise above the need to look at a situation, | | | | God, let us hold fast our confession." In |
| objectively, from all view points. Whether | | | | other words, we need to get the trash out of |
| we withdraw or lash out, we never reach the | | | | us by admitting what is wrong in us and |
| point where we feel that the wrong done to us | | | | letting it go. We need to create a Hebrews |
| has been resolved to our satisfaction. | | | | 4:16 mindset, where we "...come boldly to the |
| | | | throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and |
| When we wrong others, we still either | | | | find grace to help in time of need." We need |
| withdraw and / or hide our emotions of guilt | | | | to accept the freely given mercy and grace by |
| from everyone - even those who are close to | | | | a loving God who is firmly on his throne. |
| us and sometimes we withdraw or hide from | | | | Then release our anger or guilt by talking or |
| ourselves. Hereto we sometimes, lash out in | | | | praying with a Christian accountability |
| a raging fury at those we perceive are making | | | | partner, whom we have developed a relation |
| much to do about nothing, regarding something | | | | with. We need to give mercy and grace to |
| we did or failed to do. Again, whether we | | | | those who have wronged us. |
| withdraw or lash out, we often never reach | | | | |
| the point where we feel we have | | | | Similarly, we also need to release our guilt |
| satisfactorily resolved or dealt with our | | | | by admitting it and praying with a Christian |
| feelings of guilt. | | | | accountability partner you feel you can |
| | | | trust. Once again, we need to freely receive |
| The reason our emotions, whether they arise | | | | mercy and grace into our lives. |
| from a perceived wrong or from guilt, are | | | | |
| never satisfactorily resolved is that we do | | | | Whether it is a perceived wrong or personal |
| not do a very good job of releasing wrongs or | | | | guilt, we can use the experience we have |
| guilt. In other words, we are not taking out | | | | gained, as a result, for positive personal |
| our negative emotional trash of obstinate | | | | growth and development in our lives. So take |
| rage and persistent guilt like we should. | | | | out the garbage that is inside of you. Leave |
| | | | the trash of wild anger and endless guilt on |
| It is important that you understand that our | | | | the curb to be hauled away. Once you remove |
| emotions are simply pleasure or pain that we | | | | this trash from inside of you, you will find |
| feel on the inside, which moves us towards a | | | | that you have more room for personal growth |
| certain direction in life. We need to | | | | and development in your life. What is your |
| confess and release the negative emotions | | | | next step my friend? Are you ready to take |
| that come from both perceived wrongs and | | | | out the trash (in your life) now? |