Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. Asking what it feels like to be a Christian might sound like the wrong question to some of you. I mean, feelings? Aren’t we supposed to be all about faith and not feelings? Isn’t that what we’ve been told?
And sure, I get it—nobody wants to be lumped into the “happy-clappy” Christian camp, where everything is sunshine and rainbows and we all pretend like life is just one big worship song on repeat. I’m also not about that toxic positivity life, where we slap a Bible verse on someone’s pain and call it a day.
But here’s the thing: feelings are undeniably part of the Christian experience. Joy, love, grief, fear—these are all very human emotions, and they show up all over Scripture. And not just as something we passively experience but as something that shapes how we live as followers of Jesus.
Emotions Are Part of the Christian Life
Let’s take a minute to talk about this new book by historian Andrew Crislip, Emotion in Early Christianity. (Don’t worry, I’ll keep this light—no pop quiz at the end.) Crislip dives deep into what emotions actually do in Scripture and how they’ve shaped the lives of believers since the early church.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think, Oh great, another academic book trying to tell me how to feel, hear me out. Crislip isn’t here to guilt-trip anyone into feeling holier or happier. Instead, he’s exploring the role emotions have always played in the Christian life. Spoiler alert: they’re not just a modern invention of theological liberalism or a byproduct of 20th-century “feel-good” church services.
From the very beginning, emotions have been part of what it means to follow Jesus. Think about it:
- In John 15, Jesus tells His disciples to love one another.
- Paul’s letters are packed with emotional language—joy, grief, longing, even righteous anger.
- The Psalms are basically an emotional rollercoaster set to music.
The Bible doesn’t just acknowledge emotions; it calls us to experience them in certain ways. It’s as if God is saying, “Yes, I made you to feel things. Now let me show you how those feelings can draw you closer to Me.”
Feelings: Friend or Foe?
Here’s where it gets tricky: for a long time, Christians weren’t sure what to do with emotions. Some saw them as unreliable, like that friend who always cancels plans at the last minute. Others thought they were beside the point entirely, like a side dish you didn’t order but got stuck with anyway.
The great Presbyterian theologian J. Gresham Machen once said, “If religion consists merely in feeling the presence of God, it is devoid of any moral quality whatever.” Translation: if all you’ve got is warm fuzzies about Jesus, you’re missing the point.
But here’s the flip side: when we ignore emotions or treat them like they don’t matter, we’re also missing the point. Crislip reminds us that emotions like love, joy, grief, and even anger aren’t just random feelings—they’re part of how we experience God and live out our faith. They’re not just things that happen to us; they’re things we cultivate as part of our discipleship.
Emotions as a Spiritual Practice
This is where it gets interesting: Crislip argues that emotions in the Bible aren’t just spontaneous bursts of feeling that hit us out of nowhere. Instead, they’re described as practices—things we do and develop as we follow Jesus.
Think about it:
- Joy isn’t just a feeling; it’s a response to God’s goodness.
- Grief isn’t just sadness; it’s a way of mourning sin and brokenness in the world.
- Love isn’t just a warm, fuzzy emotion; it’s an action, a choice to put others before yourself.
In other words, emotions are part of how we navigate the world, how we interpret what’s happening around us, and how we respond to God’s work in our lives. They’re not just about what’s happening inside us—they’re about how we live out our faith in the real world.
An Emotional Community
Here’s another fascinating point Crislip makes: from the very beginning, Christians have been an “emotional community.” That means our feelings aren’t just personal—they’re shared and shaped by the people around us.
Think about it:
- We’re called to rejoice together.
- We’re taught to grieve together.
- We’re encouraged to bear one another’s burdens.
Even our emotions are meant to be lived out in community. That’s why the church is so important—it’s a place where we learn, together, how to feel the way God calls us to feel.
And let’s be clear: this doesn’t mean suppressing your feelings or pretending to be happy when you’re not. It means bringing your whole emotional self—your joys, your fears, your griefs, and yes, even your anger—into the presence of God and allowing Him to shape your heart.
Why This Matters Today
Here’s the challenge: we live in a culture that tells us emotions are untouchable. We’re taught to accept them as they come, to validate them without question, and to never let anyone tell us how we should feel.
So when the Bible says things like, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4) or “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), it can feel a little… well, pushy. Maybe even manipulative.
But here’s the thing: God isn’t gaslighting you. He’s not telling you to fake it until you make it. What He’s saying is that your emotions—just like your thoughts and actions—can be brought under His care. They’re not just wild, untamable forces. They’re part of how you were made, and He wants to help you use them for His glory.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Here’s the big idea: God cares about your emotions because He cares about you. He made you as a whole person—mind, body, and soul—and He’s not interested in leaving any part of you out of His work.
That doesn’t mean emotions are the only part of faith, but they’re not something to ignore, either. They’re part of how we love God, love others, and live out our faith in the world.
So, the next time you feel joy, or grief, or even anger, don’t just brush it off or let it control you. Bring it to God. Let Him shape it, use it, and transform it. Because your emotions? They’re not just something you feel. They’re part of how you worship.
Your Turn
What’s one emotion you’ve been struggling with lately? How might God be inviting you to bring that emotion to Him?
I’d love to hear your thoughts—hit reply and let me know. And remember: God isn’t afraid of your feelings. He’s ready to meet you in them, right where you are