31st July 2019
READ: Ezra 3:10-13
“Jesus wept, Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” – John 11:35-36
People are attracted to people who show emotion. Don’t be afraid of showing emotion. People will gather around you and listen to what you have to say because you are real. There is no need to live in pretence because you are a leader. Everyone born on this earth laughs, cries, gets angry and becomes happy. There are highs and lows in everyone’s life.
People who do not show emotion kill the atmosphere around them. It is very tense to sit with a strict and unsmiling individual who makes no contribution to the conversation going on. Emotionless men and women are often strict, stern, authoritarian, exacting and rigorous. They may also be phoney and artificial. People simply do not want to deal with a pretender. They feel that if someone reveals his true emotions, the things he says will also be true. A show of emotion stirs up the emotions of others.
When people are stirred up emotionally, they become more committed. People love to listen to a preacher who ministers varied emotions of joy, anger, sadness and suspense.
Jesus, our great example, showed emotion on a number of occasions. He was moved with compassion for lost and helpless people (Matthew 9:36). Jesus was also angry with hypocrites and drove them out of the temple (John 2:13-15).
Most people don’t know what to do with their emotions. If they find someone who is successful in spite of the real emotions he feels, they would like to relate with him.