encouagement from Scott

I received this email yesterday, and it blessed me to tears.

I also know what it's like to have emotions function as the engine of your train.  There are three cars to everybody's train: the mind, emotions, and will.  When we take our eyes off of our heavenly Father and the truths of his word we often start to let our emotions become the engine of the train.  Fight to keep you mind and intellect and the truths you know from Scripture as the driving force of your life.  Keep your emotions in check as the second car.

But this analogy breaks down in that our emotions ALWAYS follow what we're thinking.  It is NEVER the other way around.  If we're depressed it's because we can't see beyond the hurdle and trial in front of us, and thus we think things are hopeless.  If we're joyful, it's because we remember that God loves us (as you talked about loving Corban) and seeks to give us exactly what we need most at every given moment.  (Or we are just stupid and choose not to see any hurdles or trials before us.)

But you're not stupid and you do see the trials in front of you.  The difficulty you seem to be having is remembering the love God has for you and his promise to provide.  (Matt 6:25-34)  And don't forget Rom 8:32!!!  "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"  God already did the greater thing, how will he now not do the lesser for those he loves.

So brother, these days look often at Corban and Emily.  Meditate on and FEEL the love you have for them, and then transpose that into the love that God has for his children and that Jesus has for the church.  Let these truths lead your emotions.  "Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth."