Faith Doesn’t Mean Shutting Down Your Feelings

– Maturity involves managing both spirit and soul.

You can be led by the Spirit and still feel deeply.

Somewhere along the way, we were taught—whether directly or subtly—that being spiritual meant you couldn’t feel anger, sadness, or even disappointment. That to be “strong in the Lord” meant we should shout over pain, smile past grief, and speak in tongues rather than sit with sorrow.

But let’s be honest: That’s not maturity. That’s avoidance dressed in a choir robe.

I’ve seen too many people call emotional numbness discernment. I’ve watched people confuse spiritual gifts with a lack of empathy. And I’ve lived long enough to know that ignoring your emotions doesn’t make you more spiritual—it just makes you harder to reach.

Jesus Felt It All

Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, wept (John 11:35). He groaned. He grew weary. He got angry. He wasn’t led by emotions—but He also wasn’t afraid of them.

So why are we?

If the Son of God allowed Himself to feel and still walked in power, who told you that being Spirit-led meant being emotionally cold?

The Holy Spirit doesn’t bypass your emotions—He partners with them. He teaches you how to process, not pretend. He walks with you through your sorrow. He helps you discern what’s beneath your anger. He’s not allergic to your grief. And He’s not annoyed by your tears.

You Don’t Have to Choose One

You can be Spirit-led and emotionally intelligent. You can cry and still walk in faith. You can acknowledge hurt and still declare healing. You can feel disappointment without being driven by it.

We’ve got to stop teaching people that emotions are enemies of the Spirit. They’re not. They’re indicators—flashing lights that point to areas God wants to speak into. The danger isn’t in feeling. The danger is when we start letting our feelings drive without any guidance from the Word.

And let’s be real—some of us have confused being led by trauma with being led by the Spirit. Just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s from God.

Maturity Looks Like Integration

Spiritual maturity is not about shutting down your humanity—it’s about submitting it. It’s about knowing when to speak and when to stay silent. When to process and when to praise. When to rest and when to wrestle.

Maturity is managing the balance between the cry of your soul and the whisper of the Spirit.

Sometimes, your healing won’t come through a prayer line—it’ll come when you finally sit down and feel what you’ve been running from.

Sometimes, being Spirit-led means going to therapy. Talking to a mentor. Journaling your thoughts. Turning off the noise. Asking better questions. Telling God the truth, even when it’s ugly.

Let the Spirit Speak to All of You

You are body, soul, and spirit. And God doesn’t just want the version of you that’s ready to worship—He wants the version of you that’s curled up on the floor asking why.

He’s not intimidated by your emotions. He created them.

So no, being Spirit-led doesn’t mean being emotionally disconnected. It means letting God speak to every part of who you are—so that nothing gets left behind.

Not your anger.
Not your sorrow.
Not your joy.
Not your confusion.
Not your trauma.

All of it matters.
All of it belongs.
All of it can be brought under the authority of Christ.

That’s maturity. That’s wholeness. That’s what walking in the Spirit really looks like.

Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.

District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.

Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.

District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.