The Men of Iron Minute

by Justin Watkins | Chief Generosity Mentor

Strong Faith is a Real Faith

Christian men often face two pressure points when it comes to difficult emotions: 

1. Some Christian circles push the idea that Jesus makes everything perfect so we shouldn’t have hard emotions like grief, anxiety, or doubt.  
2. There’s a pressure from our culture that men should be tough and avoid expressing certain emotions that might come across as weak.  

Both points are harmful and inauthentic to the health and wholeness that God calls men to pursue. From David to Jesus, the Scriptures are filled with godly (and yes, masculine!) men who express grief, frustration, and fears to God and others around them.   

Life is still challenging even with Jesus by our side. Pretending like we don’t struggle is not the answer and often compounds our suffering. God has created you with emotions. He is not intimidated, uncomfortable or angered by them. He wants you to be real.  

A strong faith invites you to be real about difficult emotions you carry. 

Today, if you’re dealing with something heavy, don’t be afraid to express those emotions to the Lord. Pray through them, write them down, express them. Don’t run from them. And if you need the encouragement or language to express those emotions, read David’s words in Psalm 35, 69 or 109. These are journal entries from a very manly hero of faith who was never afraid to bring his tough emotions to the Lord. 

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