Putting Emotions in Their Place

We are all emotional human beings—some more than others, but we all have real emotions. Emotions are essential and allow us to experience life’s greatest feelings. However, sometimes, our emotions influence us too much, and we later find out that emotionally motivated decisions are usually shortsighted. Emotions make things feel very real but can give us a false sense of security if we fail to apply logic and reason.

I loved showing the 1933 Disney version of the story of The Three Pigs to my grandkids. It’s eight minutes long, and they all loved it. As we were watching it, a simple illustration of life emerged. The three pigs all build their own houses in their own ways. The first is out of straw, the second is out of sticks, and the third is out of bricks. The first two pigs are done right away and go to play. They tell their brother they are done while he is still working and has no time for play. They sing a little song about their brother that says, “He don’t take no time to play. All he does is work all day.” The hardworking pig responds, “Play, laugh, and fiddle, but don’t think you can make me sore. I’ll be safe, and you be sorry.”

The two playful pigs are full of emotion and feel that life is good. They aren’t afraid of the wolf despite their brother warning them that only brick houses are wolf-proof. Feeling confident that they could handle the wolf if he appeared, they sing about what they would do to him, “I’ll punch him in the nose, I’ll tie him in a knot, I’ll kick him in the shins, and I’ll put him on the spot.”

Then, suddenly, the wolf appears, and they are overwhelmed with fear. All their boasting about their courage goes up in vapor. They do nothing of what they propose to do and instead run for their lives. The prophetic words of their wiser brother come true as the wolf blows their houses down. They are only safe because they run to his brick house.

The 70 disciples in Luke 10 that Jesus sent out into ministry returned with glowing reports of success. They were joyful that miracles had occurred and demons had been subject to them. They were like the gleeful little pigs so infused with positive emotions of their success that they forgot tough times could come at any time and life could return to humdrum. Jesus responded to the disciples, “I’m glad things went well for you and that you saw people healed and demons cast out, but be careful thinking you have it figured out. I saw the greatest devil cast out of heaven, but you don’t hear me bragging about it. I will tell you, however, what you can rejoice about, and that is that you belong to my father and that you have a home in heaven (Luke 10:18-20).

All too often, we are like the little pigs when things are going well, and we like to make sure we get the credit for our accomplishments. Jesus says to remember your perspective is very small, and you don’t know when things will change; therefore, boast about what will never change. Emotions are a gift from God, but they are never to be solely relied upon without logic and reason. Your position in Christ is supported by your emotions, your reason and your faith.