Power of the Providential Pause

As we prepare for communion this morning, I would like to talk about the Power of the Providential Pause. I want to start by asking a few questions and then share something that has helped me deal with the feels.  In the last 48 hours, how many of you have felt any of the following: Read emotions of anger, sadness, and then confusion? 

Anger	Sad	Confusion	Happy	Strong	Energized
Annoyed Raging Livid Fed Up Irritated Mad Critical Agitated Resentful Disgusted Outraged Furious Bitter	Upset Sorrowful Crushed Dejected Heavy Depressed Disgusted Hateful Mournful Weepy Desperate Frustrated	Doubtful Hesitant Uncertain Shy Unsure Pessimistic Indecisive Perplexed Embarrassed Lost Tense	Glad Content Joyful Grateful Pleased Optimistic Amused Delighted Charmed Loving Marvelous	Powerful Confident Empowered Unique Sure Certain Dynamic Bold Determined Hardy Tenacious Secure Ambitious	Healthy Motivated Refreshed Strengthened Inspired Determined Creative Renewed Vibrant Focused Invigorated

If you went grocery shopping on New Year’s Eve, I guarantee you experienced half of those emotions, and if you are a Brown’s fan, I assure you have felt them all!  When it comes to emotions, I want to ask a question: What is the wise thing to do when those emotions are high? How do you say no to the emotions that compete for your control?  Your feelings are not who you are. You are a child of God. Communion reminds us Christ lives in us.  It is normal to want those emotions to go away.  Instead, welcome those emotions and look at them through the frame of Jesus and the cross. 

Let me explain. Here is where the providential pause comes in. When your emotions are high, I want to encourage you to hit pause. I want to guide you through prayer now. This is the prayer I use to help when My emotions are high and other times for that matter.  Please bow your heads or sit tall and look downward or at the cross.  Take a few deep breaths and say this, “Our Father, Who Art in Heaven.”

By doing so, you are saying, God, you are my father. You love me. That means you are patient with me and my emotions, you are kind when I don’t feel kind, and you are not rude when I feel like I am. You keep no record of wrongs. You forgive me when I fall short. You do not delight in evil, but you rejoice in the truth. Help me know your truth. You always protect, trust, hope, and persevere. You will not fail me.  Who art in heaven. Thank you for loving me unlike any earthly father could.

Help me be patient with others. In fact, I have one person I am thinking about now. Help me be kind, help me not be envious. Help me not be boastful, help me not be rude or self-seeking. Help me keep no record of wrongs. Help me not to delight in evil, but rejoice in your truth and to always protect those around me. Help me always trust, hope, and persevere for those I encounter.

Praise God for the positive emotions He provides (Happy, Strong, and Energized).