When those ungodly emotions return

As the winter nights draw in, the log burner in our house gets used a little more. In the evenings, the flames dance – towards the end of the night, they diminish – soon there are just embers to be seen – eventually the fire goes out. Sometimes, however, that is not the end of the story. Sometimes – seemingly out of nowhere – the flames revive, and they can be fierce.

Some of us will know something similar in our sanctification. Something happens – our ungodly emotions or words run hot – but, with prayer and a Bible-centred pursuit of change, we become more like Christ. Sometimes the ungodly emotions feel as if they have disappeared; it feels like a victory has been won, but then they seem to re-emerge in a flash. Anger ignites, reviving hurts from the past; jealousy overwhelms as an unwanted memory pops up. Something we thought was long dealt with comes rushing back.

When that happens, it is important not to jump to simplistic conclusions. Those who struggle may assume they are a mess, ungodly to the core because they cannot let go. Those who look on may assume the person who is struggling has failed to forgive or trust the Lord. The picture is likely to be far more complex than that. Change does take time. Sanctification does include periods of encouragement and periods that are hard. Even our largely ungodly emotions may have some good in them – they will certainly have some reasons behind them. Instead of leaping to assumptions, there may be some helpful questions to ask: