Episode 11. Embracing Your Emotions

Episode 11. Embracing Your Emotions

Show Notes

In the Christian life, the Holy Spirit himself accomplishes his work by mobilizing the whole being, with all its sorrows, fears and sadness, as is visible in the Lord's agony and passion. In Christ human feelings are able to reach their consummation in charity and divine beatitude.
~ Catechism of the Catholic Church  §1769

If we are going to enjoy lives of peace and wholeness, it's imperative that we understand and embrace our emotions for the gift of God that they are. But emotions can be just so confusing and overwhelming! We all find ourselves asking questions like: "Why am I so emotional?", "Am I supposed to feel more strongly about this?", "It feels like my emotions are in control half the time!", "I know how I feel, but what am I supposed to DO about it?"

But the good news is that there is a healthy and holy way to acknowledge our emotions and to put them in their rightful place: as valuable information for the benefit of our holiness and flourishing. Join the conversation as we unpack the value and questions around feelings - you'll feel thankful you did!

Show Notes

  • How do you feel about emotions?

    • Are you an emotional person?

    • When you think about the events of the past week, what emotions did you have most often?

    • Are there emotions that you almost never feel?

    • Do you ever feel like you’re “too emotional” or “don’t have emotions”?

  • Emotions are not inherently good or bad; they just ARE

    • Emotions are information. God gave them to us to help us know ourselves.

  • St. Thomas Aquinas: Emotions & the five senses are the “animal faculties” and they are at the service of the “angelic faculties” (intellect & will)

    • Summa Theologica, Part I, questions 77-83

  • Our emotions are at the service of the angelic faculties.

  • What tools are out there to help us understand our emotions?

Feelings wheel & Feeling as Messengers

  • Are you letting enough information come from your emotions to inform your intellect & will?

  • Are your emotions driving your intellect & will? Have they hijacked you?

Challenge By Choice

Do a daily mental health check-in at the end of each day.

  • Check in with your feelings. Acknowledge and validate them.

  • Use the Feelings Wheel & Feelings As Messengers to understand what your emotions are telling you.

  • Take in the information your emotions are providing to make holy & healthy decisions going forward.