Parosysm

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 134: Today, I am grateful for paroxysm. 

Mondays are great for new vocabulary words. 

Paroxysm (n): sudden outburst of emotion.

Isn't that how a sparkler or fireworks display makes you feel? A sudden outburst of emotion. Delight and wonder come to mind. 

Emotions are not always negative. They are often unpredictable, especially in grief. 

Some see emotion as a sign of weakness. Some fear what it reveals. Other' s avoid it as a means of self-defense. Sadly, some will call upon emotional manipulation of others, which is exhausting to the other party in the relationship. Take toddlers for example. 

Toddlers have been known to attempt manipulation through emotional outbursts. In fact, many years ago, I read an article that said when a toddler starts a "fit" or "emotional outburst", it is often very intentional and controlled. But, at some point, in the process of working themself up, they sacrifice the very control that was their original intention. 

I found this fascinating and true. I have watched toddlers explode from intentional naughty power struggles into the child being powerless and helpless to stop the tears they intentionally started. As grown ups, we can teach them a better way.  

The ability to express emotion is part of what makes us human. Embracing emotions helps us connect with others.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-14

Case in point... Hallmark commercials. They have this way of moving us to a sweet, emotional place that is pleasant and leaves us smiling. For me... the paroxysm might be smiles or tears, and maybe, both. I am a sucker for Hallmark commercials. 

Remember - we were created in His image... but then God took on human skin and wore our emotions. He longed to know and understand our feelings. Jesus, for this reason, is our advocate before the Father. He fully relates to our emotional side, while understanding the righteous, justice parts of God's character, too. 

"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." -1 John 2:1-3 

Emotions are not sinful, they are just the opposite. They are wonderous and amazing. It is how we choose to embrace them, feel them and keep them in check at appropriate times.  Paroxysms... sudden outbursts of emotion are often when humans connect. We need connections.

I think of Martha and Mary grieving the death of Lazarus. Their grief was magnified when their best friend, Jesus, failed to come and make their brother well. They sent a friend to call him to Bethany. They believed he would come and heal Lazarus.  Instead, he finished teaching and preaching in another town, first.  Lazarus died and was in the tomb four days before Jesus arrived. Martha ran out to meet him. It took Mary a little longer. When Jesus stood there, in the midst of two sisters knee deep in grief, "Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

He shared their grief, and their shared grief moved him to tears. I've often wondered if Jesus grief was two-fold. He was about to call Lazarus back from heaven's joys... where Jesus would soon be returning. Still, the raising of Lazarus was an important miracle. Jesus had resurrection power over death. Imagine Martha and Mary's emotions when Lazarus walks out of the tomb, fully alive. A paroxysm of weeping was surely their response. Tears of grief turned to joy. 

I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow." -Jeremiah 31:13

We can choose to let our emotions be our master, or we can use them to please the master. Back to my recent favorite scripture that can help us choose well in most every scenario:

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15 

Embrace the paroxysms. We can live fully for all of our days... until our days are spent. 

Today, I am grateful for paroxysm.