Feelings

Imagine life without feelings.

Imagine life without hurt, even when you don’t feel included, like when everyone else was invited to that birthday party but you weren’t. Or imagine life without anger, even when the other guy is wrong, and you still get the blame.  Imagine life without tears. Ever. Not when you get broken up with, nor when you lose someone you love. Imagine life without frustration, or loneliness, or despair, or fear, life without confusion, or discontent, or envy.

I’m not talking about robots walking around. I’m just asking you to imagine real live breathing communicating thinking human beings – without feelings.

You’d see the woman cut you off on the road, but you’d just keep going, unfrazzled, unhindered.

You’d run into the group of cool girls in the lobby having a ball without you, but you simply wave and go about business as usual.

You’d check your online bank account with the dwindling balance, and you’d just sigh and go to your next errand.

Life without feelings would be stress free. I think.

But then imagine life without feelings.

Imagine life without joy, even when you see your firstborn take his first breath. Or imagine life without laughter, even when the funniest joke was told. Imagine life without shock, even after watching a documentary on the summer of evil. Or imagine life without the contentment of a job well done, or the relief of a loved one’s safety, or the satisfaction of a brand new purchase.

You’d watch the fireworks on the fourth of July then go home to sleep.

You’d read the surprising ending to the novel, and simply, well, breathe.

You’d walk up the aisle to meet your future husband, and think good.

Life without feelings would stink. I’m sure.

There is no joy where there hasn’t been sadness. There is no relief where there hasn’t been fear. There is no comfort where there hasn’t been anxiety. There is no love where there hasn’t been hate.

Ecclesiastes 6:14 says it this way:

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other.”

No matter what your feelings are today, I have a feeling they will change tomorrow.

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