Thanks for sharing your experience Becky, I can relate with many aspects. I remember a recurring picture from our preacher that emotions are “the caboose of the Christian life.” But most of the damage to my emotional health was how I learned to shut down all feelings in an emotionally abusive home so that I didn’t have to feel sad or mad, even if it meant I never felt glad. Then I discovered John Piper and Christian hedonism and loved the idea of finding joy in God. Only problem was, it was just an idea; I didn’t know what joy itself felt like, and thought there was something deficient about me because I wasn’t in touch with any of my emotions. Later in grad school for counseling I discovered emotional intelligence and was able to work through a lot of my story in counseling and open up emotionally (individual counseling was helpful, but group was more impactful in awakening emotion through empathy for others). One other component that has had a big impact is becoming more aware of my body (interoception) through regular mindfulness practice. I also did a partial masters thesis (just lit review and methodology) on the correlation between emotional intelligence and relationship with God, so I’m really fascinated by your research on emotion in Luke and look forward to learning more!
Your research project sounds so interesting! Are you familiar with Lisa Feldman Barrett's work on the importance of interoception in our construction of emotions?
Thank you for sharing this, Becky. I resonate with so much of your story I could have written it myself. I’m following your work closely and am learning a lot. God bless you in all of your endeavors and for sharing such good stuff.
Thanks for sharing your experience Becky, I can relate with many aspects. I remember a recurring picture from our preacher that emotions are “the caboose of the Christian life.” But most of the damage to my emotional health was how I learned to shut down all feelings in an emotionally abusive home so that I didn’t have to feel sad or mad, even if it meant I never felt glad. Then I discovered John Piper and Christian hedonism and loved the idea of finding joy in God. Only problem was, it was just an idea; I didn’t know what joy itself felt like, and thought there was something deficient about me because I wasn’t in touch with any of my emotions. Later in grad school for counseling I discovered emotional intelligence and was able to work through a lot of my story in counseling and open up emotionally (individual counseling was helpful, but group was more impactful in awakening emotion through empathy for others). One other component that has had a big impact is becoming more aware of my body (interoception) through regular mindfulness practice. I also did a partial masters thesis (just lit review and methodology) on the correlation between emotional intelligence and relationship with God, so I’m really fascinated by your research on emotion in Luke and look forward to learning more!
Your research project sounds so interesting! Are you familiar with Lisa Feldman Barrett's work on the importance of interoception in our construction of emotions?
I’m not familiar with her, thanks for the recommendation!
Her TEDTalk is a good place to start. https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_feldman_barrett_you_aren_t_at_the_mercy_of_your_emotions_your_brain_creates_them?language=en
Her book How Emotions Are Made goes into interoception in great detail.
Thank you for sharing this, Becky. I resonate with so much of your story I could have written it myself. I’m following your work closely and am learning a lot. God bless you in all of your endeavors and for sharing such good stuff.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I'm sorry you can relate!