Emotional Inebriety 

This morning I am impressed with our emotions. Wikipedia provides numerous general samples regarding emotions.  However, it sums it up with “There is currently no scientific consensus on a definition.” 

“Inebriated” refers to “drunk, intoxicated”. 

I have never ventured far into drug abuse.  I thank God.  I have, however, spent a part of my journey of life as a slave to alcohol.  With the unwavering encouragement of my family and support group, I voluntarily enrolled in a rehab centre.  Take note, “unwavering support”; “voluntary”. My journey into alcoholism began with two things.  I didn’t want to be where I was, but I wanted to belong.  I still have times that I don’t really want to be where I am, and, I still want to belong. 

As we take a look at Wikipedia’s comments on emotion, we have evidence that, although we understand what we mean when we speak of emotions, we cannot nail it down to a black and white definition. 

from Psalm 139 

Verse 14 & 15: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 

Verse 11a: If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; 

Verse12a: Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; 

Verse 23 & 24: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Friends, read the whole of Psalm 139.  Read it slowly.  Wonderful! 

The writer of this Psalm explains why emotions have no scientific description or explanations.  They are a part of mankind.  Part of the Creation.  We, together with our DNA and emotions, are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Why the uncommon combination of words.  Fearfully and wonderfully made? The writer was at a loss for better words to describe his emotions.  

In this case his emotions, as well as his awareness for which he lacked words, frames the very picture that he wished to showcase. This awe and respect are a small view of the mighty God we serve! 

Why then inebriation?  For the most part, inebriation or intoxication refers to alcoholic beverages. Alcohol has known qualities that aid digestion, among other perks, relating to physical health. Apostle Paul in I Timothy 5:23 refers to “a little wine for thy stomach’s sake”. That said, for the most part, alcoholic beverages serve as a relaxant.  As the amount of alcohol intake increases, the relaxant develops into intoxication.  At another stage, it becomes irresponsible, then incoherent.  If not controlled it causes loss of consciousness, and, ultimately, alcohol poisoning and imminent death. 

The reason I chose to use this metaphor is because our emotions are a little like wine. In a controlled setting they serve a good purpose. They are desirable. 

We are familiar with the saying, “Don’t let your emotions get away on you,” meaning that controlling our emotions is important, in the same way as is controlling our intake of wine.  We have the knowledge that controlled or “healthy” emotions are a good thing.  This same emotion that starts as a good thing can, and will, develop into a not-so-good thing, if it gets away on us. We hear of crimes of passion, where someone physically harms another because they claim to love them. “He killed her because he loved her so much, he wanted to be sure no one else got her.” There is no rational thinking behind this action. 

We do well to be educated on the effects of excessive intake of wine or other related substance. Early childhood teaching gives most people enough of an edge that they will learn to adhere to limits. Likewise, we need instruction to make us aware of limitations regarding our emotions. 

In the same way that there are individuals who need outside help to bring alcohol misuse into check, there are people who will need clinical help or counseling help to control out-of-control emotions. 

Parents, for the most part, are responsible for children up to the age of 18 years old. This is not a task to be taken lightly.  Our society has reached a point where six-year-old children are given authority, by the schools, to make life-changing choices. The security and love of a solid home has been exchanged for a few childish, yet potentially devastating liberties, at an age where the child is far too immature to deal with it. This perceived “freedom”, in turn feeds anger, when anyone chooses to impose restrictions on this child.  We have examples of children with guns; of youth girls stabbing and killing grown men. This is emotional inebriation. 

There is really only one place that mental health can start, and that is in one’s own world. We need to consider the value system in our own minds.  We are made aware of many success stories.  We hear how single parent homes have established boundaries and ethics.  We learn of children who picked up the knowledge from their emotionally-stable mothers, who themselves had little to spare, that they were not victims, and that it was in their power to accomplish much!  God Bless these mothers and fathers. 

To further discuss emotional well-being, we can consider habitual reaction. 

Confrontational action by family members will sometimes result in predictable patterns of behaviour.  Sometimes there is a large financial or social achievement discrepancy between brothers. This can result in sensitive feelings. Often these discrepancies are a result of differing priorities and temperaments. Nonetheless, insensitive observations and remarks made by parents or others can seed deep-seated emotional trauma. In some cases, this seems to be almost impossible to resolve.  Sooner or later, within a generation or two, a member of the “underdog family” finally gets tired of this state of affairs, and puts an end to these feelings. Sober, factual, practical analysis is often all that is needed to curb the momentum. This is an example of emotional sobriety. 

Emotional inebriety, like alcoholic inebriation, is elusive until someone says, “Enough is enough.”  In most cases, willpower alone is not enough. It takes persistence, support from loved ones, determination, and an understanding that there is a God in Heaven that indeed is capable and willing to help. And He will.