Let me start with some questions to consider … What makes you happy? What brings you joy?

Do you think there’s a difference between happiness and joy or are they simply two words with the same meaning?

Perhaps joy feels an odd topic to be exploring in the midst of a pandemic – in the midst of a season where so many are experiencing so much that is really tough. However, I believe that as we read the Bible, we discover that joy is an emotion that can be experienced even in the depths of despair.

But how?

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Anger can be a hot topic.  We often think that there is something shameful about anger or feeling angry about situations. Anger is not the problem – it’s how we react when we are angry, that can cause us problems!

Here are some common triggers for anger and frustration:

·        Parents

·        Siblings

·        Friends

·        Social Injustice

We should be angry about situations of injustice in our world, as our response can be a catalyst for change.  However, right now, when we are all in lockdown again, the anger and feelings of frustration are more likely to be focused on our family.  They will provide the stimulus, but we need to consider our response.

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Let’s move away briefly from individual emotions and look at the whole range of emotions that we display.  There are times, especially during this lockdown, when emotions are just tumbling around inside us, a bit like the balls in the lottery machine!  They are swirling around and we do not know which emotion will appear next.  Maybe its anger, sadness, worry or fear; are we going to shout or cry or laugh? 

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Worry is a word that we use all the time; it’s part of our everyday language.  Sometimes, we use the word to describe something that is close to us – ‘I’m worried if I will pass that exam’ or ‘I am worried about whether someone is still talking to me, after what I said!’

These kinds of worries are normal, they show we care about different situations around us.  Generally, they are things we can do something about.  If we are worrying about exams, we can put a study plan in place, talk to a teacher or create a study group with others.  Although we may still be concerned about the exam on the day, if we are well prepared, it makes a big difference.

However, sometimes we may find ourselves getting worried and anxious over situations that are not ours to hold onto.  I was in the situation yesterday where I found myself mulling over different things that are happening.  

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When I started to write this post it certainly wasn’t with a feeling of relief!  In fact, I was feeling the complete opposite. What do I say?  How do I convey to others that the feeling of relief is life-giving, necessary and something we should seek out in life even if others around us are not feeling that same sense of relief?

It brought me back to two events that are recorded in the Bible that we can read about in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9 verses 18 – 26.

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