I’d like to think that my decisions in life are made through a spiritual-logical process of consulting Scripture, praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, seeking insight from godly counsel, evaluating the pros and cons, and generally using wisdom integrated with common sense. Of course, these steps are weighted relative to the significance of each decision. I don’t usually pray about the color of the socks I wear, but I do try to match them with the rest of my fashion ensemble (with much input from my wife, so I don’t look too bohemian or geekish). Should I put my money in a savings account drawing three percent interest or leave it in a checking account drawing zero percent interest? These don’t require long nights in prayer or a “thus saith the Lord.” But other matters are of greater spiritual import and need more than common sense or general life-wisdom, like choosing a life partner or a career change, where I should serve in the local church, how much above my tithe I should give to the Lord’s work, etc.

I’ve taught many times on “Decision Making and the Will of God,” so you would think I should have this topic down pat. However, I have discovered over the years that my emotions play into my decisions far more than I care to admit, especially those concerning impactful decisions. My fear of the right decision may lead me to procrastinate or excuse my going in a different direction. My dislike of what the Word says I should do may lead me to search for a different answer, more palatable to my “common sense.”

That is why I like the book of Psalms. We should not relegate it to funerals, hospital visitations, or for older adults. The Psalms were written by men, often in the vigor of life—King David authored seventy-three of them, some of which deal with his emotions during military battles!

In the Book of Psalms, we find the words and the emotions of godly people as they struggle with life’s issues, running the gamut of anger, frustration, fear, depression, loneliness, exhaustion, and feelings that God had abandoned them. We also find words expressing praise, worship, and overwhelming joy. In short, the Psalms validate our emotions and give us words to use when we talk to God about these things.

The psalms are actually prayers that we can borrow, learn from, and pray back to the Lord. And these prayers give us a godly outlet for our emotions, whatever they may be. As San Diego-area pastor Jason Graves says, “Prayer is our emotional management tool.” I need to spend consistent time in the book of Psalms, regulating my emotions and expressing them in a way God hears, accepts, and responds to. The Lord can handle my emotions—if I bring them to Him. With His help, I can then manage them myself. The more I do that, the less my feelings will control me and influence my decisions.

Lord, thank You for giving me a safe berth for honestly expressing my most deeply felt emotions. Help me use prayer to learn how to manage my feelings so that they don’t become an obstacle to making the right decisions.