“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers” 3 John 2
Being a pastor’s wife is a high calling, a great responsibility and a great blessing. The pastor’s wife is inextricably connected to the success or failure of the pastor’s ministry. Considering the significant role of the pastor’s wife, her wholesome health – her spiritual, physical, emotional health is of paramount importance in the ministry and for the ministry.
Before we proceed with emotional wellbeing of a pastor’s wife let’s define emotion.
What exactly is an emotion?
“An emotion is a complex psychological state that involves three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioural or expressive response.” (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 2007)
Dorothy Finkelhor, author of How to Make Your Emotions Work for You, describes emotions this way:
“Emotions are the motivating force of our lives, driving us to go ahead, pushing us backward, stopping us completely, determining what we do, how we feel, what we want, and whether we get what we want. Our hates, loves, fears, and what to do about them are determined by our emotional structure. There is nothing in our lives that does not have the emotional factor as its mainspring. It gives us power, or makes us weak, operates for our benefit or to our detriment, for our happiness or confusion.”
Researchers over the years have noted a number of basic emotions that are universal throughout human cultures: fear, disgust, anger, surprise, happiness, sadness, embarrassment, excitement, contempt, shame, pride, satisfaction, and amusement.
God created us in His own image – body, soul, and spirit. As human beings, we live eternally as a spirit, we have a soul, and we dwell in a body. The soul and the spirit are mysteriously tied together and make up what the Scriptures call the “heart”.
The soul consists of the mind, the will and the emotions. Our mind gives us the ability to think, our emotions provide the ability to feel, and our will allows the opportunity to choose. They are intricately interrelated. The choices we make influence what we think and the decisions that we make. Our thoughts influence how we feel and the choices we make. In other words, our emotions influence the spiritual, social, intellectual and physical parts of our lives. Therefore it is paramount that are we are emotionally healthy.
To be continued next month
Article By Pastor (Dr.) Grace Sola-Oludoyi
Christian Counsellor/Integrative Psychotherapist (MBBS, BA (Hons) Theology & Integrative Counselling, MBACP, MACC)
Regional Mother, RCCG Europe Mainland Region 3
Executive Pastor, RCCG Royal Connections, London
