Our emotional lives and our spiritual lives have different dynamics. The ups and downs of our emotional life depend a great deal on our past or present surroundings. We are happy, sad, angry, bored, excited, depressed, loving, caring, hateful, or vengeful because of what happened long ago or what is happening now.
The ups and downs of our spiritual lives depend on our obedience - that is, our attentive listening – to the movements of the Spirit of God within us. Without this listening our spiritual life eventually becomes subject to the windswept waves of our emotions.
emphasis mine


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July 26, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Mervi
“The ups and downs of our spiritual lives depend on our obedience.” My desire to move closer to Him and to follow ALL that is asked of me to do. “to the movements of the Spirit of God within us.” Personal, yes it does depend on the moving of His spirit within me. Many times it is what I have or have not done. I am so glad that His spirit has moved and let me know where I have been short in my walk with the King!
Mervi
July 26, 2009 at 6:40 pm
helenl
Amen, Mervi. Amen.
July 26, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Karen Hopper
Thought of the saying, “Life is full of ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy the ups and have courage during the downs.” My desire is balance, both to soar and then know how to land safely.
July 26, 2009 at 9:42 pm
helenl
I think you have something there, Karen. Landing safely matters.