The enemy knows that if he can trap us in our emotions, he can blur our vision and derail our obedience. Offence, fear, and insecurity are his subtle tools to cloud our sight. He whispers lies, magnifies hurts, and stirs up comparisons, all so we would walk in circles instead of stepping forward into the calling God has set before us.

A few days after a vivid dream of bugs swarming inside a box, the Holy Spirit revealed its meaning to me. This dream unsettled me deeply. In the dream, there was a box full of bugs of which one escaped. It might sound simple, even strange, but the weight of it shook me to my core. It reminded me of old nightmares and carried a sense of dread that I couldn’t shake.

As I prayed and processed, I realised the dream wasn’t about insects at all. The box represented my emotions — hidden away, shut tight, because I believed if I let them out, they would do damage. Over the years, I had stuffed so many feelings into boxes, burying them so deep that I no longer even remembered what was inside. Yet like the bugs buzzing within, those buried feelings were still alive, still restless, still trying to break free.

That revelation was painful, but also freeing. For the first time, I could name the truth: I had lived afraid of what would happen if my emotions were seen. I thought they would overwhelm me or hurt others. Yet God was showing me that He is not afraid of my boxes. His light can shine inside, His love can cover what I have hidden, and His Spirit can bring order to the chaos I feared.

I had spent my life numbing my feelings, piling them all into a hidden “box” so I wouldn’t have to face them. Yet that box was never meant to be a grave for my emotions. God was showing me that He wanted to open it, to bring light and healing, teaching me to no longer suppress my feelings but to express them in His presence. That revelation began a journey of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me — not by shutting away what I felt, but by surrendering those feelings to Him.

In prayer, I handed Him the box. I let Him be the One to open it, because He knows how to bring healing without harm. I don’t have to fear the buzzing anymore, because what once felt like a swarm of darkness is now a testimony: Jesus is my Way Maker, my safe place, and my healer.

We were never called to be driven by feelings. We are called to be led by the Holy Spirit. To live Spirit-led means acknowledging our emotions, but not bowing to them as masters. It means learning to express them righteously — anger without sin, grief with hope, joy with humility, love with purity.

👉🏻Read about the dream here — Bugs in a Box Dream (15 June 2023)

Emotions themselves are not wrong. God created us with feelings — they are like colours on the palette of the soul. They allow us to experience joy, sorrow, compassion, grief, and delight. Yet, when feelings take the lead, they can become stormy waves that toss us to and fro. Cloudy emotions, if left unchecked, delay obedience and dim the clarity of God’s direction.

We were never called to be driven by feelings. We are called to be led by the Holy Spirit. To live Spirit-led means acknowledging our emotions, but not bowing to them as masters. It means learning to express them righteously, anger without sin, grief with hope, joy with humility, love with purity.

When surrendered to God, even our deepest emotions can become vessels of grace. Tears become intercession. Anger becomes fuel for justice. Fear becomes an invitation to trust. Joy becomes strength.

💡Reflection:

• Where have I allowed feelings to cloud my obedience to God’s voice?🤔

• How can I acknowledge my emotions honestly while inviting the Holy Spirit to lead me?🤔

• What practical step can I take today to move from being led by feelings to being led by the Spirit?🤔

🙌🏻Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank You for the gift of emotions. Teach me to express them in ways that honour You. Guard my heart from being ruled by offence, fear, or insecurity. Lead me in truth, clarity, and love. Please help me to walk by faith, not by sight, and by Spirit, not by feelings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.