Here are two major griefs that can occur in life. Read them. Then review your own emotional program. One major life goal should be to run a healthy emotional program.

Grief #1

What if you woke up at age 65 and had this experience? You were confronted by an old, friend. He made this statement. “You have been operating your whole life with only half the tools you needed to succeed.” (He was talking about your emotional/relational skills, not work skills.)

He continued. “Furthermore, your emotional connecting skills are those of a 6th-grader. You know how to talk but don’t know how to emotionally connect to anyone!”

This is a mature, honest friend who loves you. You are shocked but also have a light bulb, ah-ha moment. Your mouth opens and these words spill out. I’ve lived 65 years and you’re saying I’ve been emotionally shallow in all my relationships. Wow!

Grief #2

What if you were trained by parents that were critical. And, you also became good at criticism, judgment, and mocking others. Growing up, you learned that to survive you had to be tough. And, you also got good at numbing out your own feelings.

Then, one day a friend said, “You must be very, SELF CRITICAL. Because, you sure criticize others easily.” That statement gets through to you. And, you break down. It’s true.

You have lived a life of misery, self judgement, and harsh criticism. Now, you feel like a tired, unhappy, critical soul.

The Good News

The good news is this is a great day for growth and change. God has a great program of grace, love, and transformation. Our parents started our journey but God is the author and finisher.

Bible Connection

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (LSB)

Prayer

Father, I want to operate my emotional and spiritual systems in harmony with you. Your ways are better. Help me have eyes to see and ears to hear. And, help my heart and my spirit hear your Holy Spirit. I want to be renewed everyday. Help me model my emotional and spiritual programs in harmony with you and your promises. Amen.