Emotions: The Human Superpower We Often Overlook

Emotions - Our Human Super Power!

"An emotional response is wrong."
"Don't be emotional."

Often, when we need to make decisions we say these to ourselves or hear other people say them or some other versions of them.  Emotions are frequently vilified, dismissed as irrational, and relegated to the background in favour of logic and reason. These phrases are thrown around so often that many have come to believe emotions are a flaw—something to suppress, control, or ignore. But have you ever stopped to ask: What is wrong with emotions and emotional responses?

Emotions are one of the most defining aspects of being human. Yet, they have been treated as weaknesses, and pushed to the background. People are told to rely only on reason, as if emotions have no value in decision-making. But here’s the truth: both reason and emotions are processed in the brain. Our memories are tied to emotions, stored in every part of our being. So the typical ‘heart refers to emotions’ and ‘brains to logic’ are wrong and misleading.

The Hypocrisy of Emotional Suppression

Ironically, many who preach against emotions are deeply emotional themselves. They insist that others remain "rational," yet their decisions are often shaped by their own unspoken emotions. Some suppress their feelings, only to disengage from work, quit jobs, or struggle silently. Others get to show how they feel the moment someone in authority validates the emotions they have been suppressing to please others.

The reality is, we are all emotional beings. The problem is not emotions—it is emotional dishonesty. Pretending emotions don’t matter does not make them disappear; it only forces them to manifest in unintended ways.

This aversion to emotions stems from several deep-seated beliefs:

1. Mistrust in Emotional Maturity – People assume others cannot control their emotions and will act irrationally.
2. Association with Wild Behavior – Emotional expressions are often linked to outbursts or impulsiveness.
3. Personal Struggles with Control – Many who downplay emotions struggle to manage their own.
4. A Culture that Overvalues Logic – Society has conditioned us to believe that logical reasoning is superior, making emotions seem like a liability rather than an asset.

The Power of Emotional Responses

Some of our best decisions come from an emotional response, often referred to as "gut feeling." You meet someone who offers you a business deal, and something about them feels off. You can't explain why, but you hesitate. Months later, you find out they were fraudulent.

The scriptures are filled with emotional responses from people we are encouraged to imitate. When Jesus saw the suffering of people, he felt pity—and that compassion moved him to heal, teach, and feed them. He didn’t coldly analyze who deserved his help; he felt, and he acted.

The Danger of Stripping Away Emotions

If we remove emotions from our interactions, what remains? We become mechanical, robotic, over-righteous and legalistic. We lose our ability to connect with others on a human level. Worse still, we lose our ability to connect with ourselves and others.

To change this, we need to:

1. Reeducate Ourselves – Understand that emotions are not obstacles but essential guides.
2. Normalize Emotional Intelligence – It’s not about suppressing emotions but mastering them.
3. Integrate Emotions into Decision-Making – Ask “How does this make me feel?” alongside logical reasoning.
4. Encourage Healthy Expression – It’s okay to laugh heartily, cry openly, and express how we truly feel.

So, instead of suppressing emotions, acknowledge them, understand them, and use them wisely. Let emotions bring depth and colour to a world trying to make everyone monotonous. Some will resist, but those who value authenticity will connect with you deeply.

The next time you face a decision, don’t just analyze the facts—listen to your emotions too. Ask yourself ‘how does this make me feel?’ Choose the path that feels right and aligns with your long-term well-being. After all, what would humanity be without the ability to feel and show it?