| [For several issues of
Christianity Magazine, Dee Bowman ran a series of articles
entitled “I Am Fred.” This piece is taken from the
February 1989 issue. It’s truths are just as relevant and
practical today.]
I guess you’re beginning to see by
now that Fred is fairly complicated. Even though he is not
famous and hasn’t done anything to distinguish himself,
he’s still a fairly intricate fellow.
I know how Fred feels about
everything. I am his emotions. Emotions are a feisty lot. We
are not fitted for controlling people, yet we just can’t
help trying. But usually Fred won’t let me. He’ll step in
and wrest away the control by returning to his intellect so
that he gets a clear picture of things and not just some sort
of feeling. Folks have tried in vain to define me and my kind.
They use definitions like “any agitation or disturbance of
the mind.” And I have to admit, I do that a lot - agitate
the mind, that is. I’ve caused Fred many a sleepless night
by stirring up his mind about something. But I’ve caused him
lots of joy by getting him really excited about something or
other, too. Emotions are a nebulous sort, I guess.
The reason I’m so hard to define is
that I am not based on observations or operations, but rather
on subjective perceptions. And, to be perfectly honest,
that’s another reason I’m not really good at ruling the
mind, because I have lots of trouble being logical, rational,
sensible. Frankly, I’d rather not be confused with the
facts. I’d rather just do what feels good.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I have
lots to do with Fred - both his mind, and his body. For
instance, one of my tools is anger; it’s one of my strongest
feelings. When I use it, I can affect the adrenal glands and
get Fred so infuriated he wants to fight or say hurtful
things. When I make Fred feel anxious or worry, it affects the
digestive glands and may even make him need some sort of
antacid to quiet things down. And when I cause fear, I can
constrict the blood vessels and make his blood pressure rise.
I can also help Fred with these
tools, too - if he keeps me under control. For example,
righteous indignation is controlled anger; and it certainly
has a place in a man’s life. Concern is the right measure of
worry and is necessary for good spiritual health. And the
right kind of fear - reverential respect - is necessary to
please God. Perhaps the best thing I bring him is peace,
causing him to feel really good - even tranquil.
I also affect Fred’s powers of
communication. If he is in a depressed state - feels blue - it
can be transmitted to those round about him and cause them to
be sad, too. On the other hand, if he is bright and cheerful -
feels good - then that may well translate to others and cause
them to adopt the same happy feeling.
I can quickly disguise myself,
appearing to be very intellectual. For that reason, people ask
Fred, “How do you feel about that?” when what they really
want to know is, “What do you think about that?” I’m not
very intellectual, though. I just like to look the part.
I am tied to all the rest of Fred’s
mind in some way. I have an effect on his will and sometimes
his will has an effect on me. I can cause a decision (Acts
2:38), or I can be impressed by one (Acts 8:39). I can affect
his intellect by giving him good information (Luke 15:17) or I
can, improperly used, give him a bad course of pursuit (Acts
26:9). And when Ole Conscience hurts Fred, I am the culprit
who comes down hard on his heart. I can cause him to have pity
(Proverbs 19:7), compassion (Matthew 18:27), mercy (Luke 6:35-
36), all on account of Ole Conscience and me squeezing his
heart.
I provide an important function for
Fred in worship. I help him worship in spirit (John 4:23), or
with the right disposition. I provide the right mental
atmosphere for him (Acts 17:24-27). I help him to have the
right kind of respect for God (Job 28:28). I even help him
keep the exercises involved in worship from becoming mere
rituals (Psalm 105:1-5).
I know I’m a little hard to
understand, a little hard to control. But I’m a help, too.
I’m part of Fred, just like your emotions are part of you.
Be careful with your emotions. They
can serve you well only when you subordinate them to your
reason.
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