Emotions Are A Bad Pilot
There are times when we must let ourselves feel deeply (Jn 11:35); at other moments we must wait to feel deeply because the task at hand requires all our effort. For instance, an Olympic figure skater cannot immediately give vent to their disappointment if they make a costly mistake at the beginning of their routine. They must focus on the task at hand then tap into the feeling later. We should not let ourselves feel deeply whenever we become aware of an emotion. Timing is important (Eccl 3:1, NCV).
However, we need to let ourselves get in touch with our feelings or we will become emotionally dulled and bottled up. This, too, would be problematic. We want the full range of our emotions to be as freely and fully accessible as possible.
Nonetheless, emotions are not the most important aspect of any situation. What really matters is the fact of Jesus’ empty tomb and reason, properly applied, to that fact. Clearly, emotion should follow facts and their implications. When we don’t do this, we often make serious errors. An example of this would appear to be the U. S. Supreme Court verdict in the Dred Scott decision. It seems that the emotional commitment to slavery, on the part of a number of justices, clouded their reason. Likewise, it appears to have been emotion rather than reason that led a number of states to join the Confederacy (Catton, The Coming Fury, p 352).
As Rousseau indicated, we should not have an exclusive attachment to either reason or emotions. Having a balance can be difficult but it can also enrich and inspire us. Really, we want both our emotions (Rom 9:1, NCV) and our thoughts (Rom 8:6, NCV) to be controlled by God’s Spirit.
Comforting others is costly but worth it.