Everyone has emotions. Everyone has logic. I want to begin by saying that. However, the way people employ these elements and to what degree reveals a lot about their person. They each have strengths and weaknesses which is why they work well together when they function simultaneously.
As I sit here at the table, eating a cream cheese wonton, I mull this over. I think it is interesting that emotion is always equated with the heart, and logic with the brain. I think it's all a bit more interconnected than that.
Some logical, biblical musings about logic: Logic is everywhere in the Bible. In Mark 2:10-11, Jesus explains
as he heals a man, "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." He also says in Acts 2:36 as he gives graspable evidence, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Citizens of various cities, Roman officials, even the disciples constantly ask for evidence that Jesus is God. And Jesus constantly provides proof through His miracles that He is.
The Bible also has a lot to say about feelings. It's refreshing to know that not only do we have a God who acknowledges the necessity of fact and knowledge, but we also have a God who experiences deep emotion. The actual word emotion isn't mentioned in the Bible, but the words anger, joy, grief, terror, peace, and a host of others are mentioned hundreds of times. The Lord cares about our emotions; in Psalm 34:18, it says that God is close to the brokenhearted. King David expresses roller coaster emotions throughout the Psalms, and he is known as a man after God's own heart. Jesus weeps, sweats blood, dies for the world because of His great love. More emotions: Exodus 4:14 and in 1 Chronicles 29:17.
God gives us multiple warnings for both emotion (Proverbs 15:18; Philippians 4:6) and logic (Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 10:5). Both of these are gifts, but as with anything beautiful and good, if twisted in the wrong way, each can become destructive. I am becoming more and more aware of this in my own life, and I have friends that lean toward both sides of the spectrum in how they approach life as well. Naturally, I slant more towards making decisions based off of my feelings. As a fantastic contrast, quite a few of my friends make decisions based off of facts and rationality.
I've discovered that if I make hasty decisions based on my fleeting emotions, I often come across as directionless, unbridled, and foolish. Mainly, because I am probably being directionless, unbridled, and foolish. If I depend solely on my fleeting feelings, I may end up making rash choices, thinking irrational thoughts, or simply become swallowed up in a sea of sadness, passion, etc. However, while these things could happen if I'm not paying close attention, I wouldn't give up my inclination toward feeling things strongly for anything. My emotions help me work through things in my life. Just as the nerves in fingers alert an individual to pain as a protection if he or she touches a hot stove, negative emotions can help alert you of the state of your soul. Not only that, but they help me to sense what others are going through and understand, they help me sympathize and rejoice.
At the same time, I admire those with the ability to look at a situation, strip it to facts and logic, and move forward with practical assurance. While those with a bent toward thinking things out may occasionally come across as harsh or blunt, if wary of this, their pragmatism is a gold mine and incredibly helpful in situations where feelings could get in the way.
I am so grateful for these people in my life: my friends that feel my emotions with me, and my friends that help me work through situations rationally.
Whatever your bent is - feeling or logic - own it. You've been given a great gift. Don't wish away the fact that you cry in movies or that you go straight and bluntly to the point in sticky circumstances. You bless others with how you function; allow them to bless you too.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A_OJ-ccZug&w=420&h=315]
This has nothing to do with anything, but I've been obsessed with this song lately.