Navigating Emotions

AM Psalm 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 • PM Psalm 119:121-144
1 Macc. 3:42-60 • Rev. 21:9-21 • Matt. 17:22-27

When I was a teenager, I became an avid reader of the Psalms. I could always find one to fit my current angst perfectly. I preferred the King James Version…the language sounded much more poignant and beautiful. The Psalms display the broad diversity of human emotion; ranging from brutally honest accounts of anger, hatred, envy, and desperation to beautiful expressions of joy, hope, love and gratitude. The Psalmist in Chapter 101 seems to be celebrating justice and a desire to be a good person. Then moving on Chapter 109, the level of vitriol displayed in the cursing of his enemies is quite intense. However, the Psalmist here does seem to be pleading with God for help.

Reading the Psalms as a teenager all those years ago, taught me that all human beings struggle; that life is not patently easy all the time for anyone, regardless of age and appearances. The teenage years in particular are fraught with inner change, pain, confusion and extremes of emotion. I don’t know one single adult who would willingly go back to those teenage years, unless of course we could take with us the wisdom of experience and perspective that we now have.

I have to think that social media, the instantaneousness of everything, the disturbingly graphic nature of the media, and the high expectations and competitiveness of society, make life more difficult to navigate as a teenager today. It is a tumultuous time of life anyway, biologically, socially, and psychologically. Today’s world with today’s problems has created a very difficult path for many teenagers: those who develop serious psychiatric issues, suffer abuse and/or neglect, have identity issues, are bullied, lonely, homeless, unparented, and on and on. They are hurting deeply and our system has failed them and continues to fail them. Over the last decade, suicide rates among youth have continuously and drastically risen. It is more than disturbing; it is, actually, sadly, a pandemic of its own.

I like that the Psalms show us that is is important to express ourselves, and talk about our feelings. They tell us that it is okay to cry, to get angry, to struggle with difficult feelings without shame. And of course, there is the flip side….there is so much in our human experience that is very beautiful, joyful, and fulfilling. The Psalms tell us to celebrate those feelings, to sing and dance with joy! I believe that being part of a safe and nurturing community is vital to emotional well-being. Having faith in God, and committing to growing spiritually can help us all navigate every stage of our lives.

Written by Deborah Griffin

...who is very grateful that St. Paul’s offers a nurturing community for people of all ages.