The Emotional Jug

The Illustration was so powerful. It was a graphic of a “Jug” – the shape of an old Water Pot. The mouth of the jug was wider, the neck some what narrower, then the stomach of the jug flared out finally tapering to a bottom that was smaller.

My grandmother had a butter churn that was shaped something like the jug on the screen in front of us.

Unfortunately I can’t draw pictures for you in this medium… the words I use will have to do. Why not take pen and draw what I describe for you?

(By the way the Illustration that was on the screen was part of Pete Scavvero’s teaching on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality at our conference this week in Brampton. I described this conference in the last posting.)

Back to the Jug….
As you outline the jug on your paper (or in your mind) draw a cork that will fit the top – make the cork as if it is lifting on one side - as if it is popping. Beside the cork you can put the words, “Pop your cork”, “Blow your top” with a small arrow pointing up.

Around the neck of the jug you can print the words, “Lid of Indifference”.

Next label your jug at the top with the words, “The Emotional Jug”.
Below these words form a list with the following words in this order…

• Mad
• Sad
• Scared
• Relief
• Ease
• Happiness
• Pleasure
• Desire
• Love

You will immediately realize that there is a break between the words Scared and Relief. As you move to the word Relief something has taken place with the description. With all the words in place the jug is full and ready to pop – or blows its top. Relieving the Jug of the top three alleviates the pressure.

The process of removing the top three can be taken away by a beginning exercise of simply identifying what they are and then making a conscious choice of giving them up. (That is actually where I find God helping me the most… He takes the anger, sadness and things I am frightened of… as I give them up)

Ask yourself these questions…

• “What am I Mad about?” (make a list..)
• “What am I Sad about?” (make a list..)
• “What am I scared about?” (make a list..)

The simple listing will produce a new awareness and a better ability to deal with the raging thought patterns. Now give up the list. The person sitting next to me tore up the paper list he had made and tossed it away.

Now suppose the jug stays full to the brim…
If the stopper is on and the jug is full to bursting what will happen? If the “Lid of Indifference” is tightly fastened what happens? The answer is simple – the contents will begin to leak out through the sides. In fact, if it is a clay jug, small cracks will appear with the pressure and the contents will begin leaking out.

This is the next part of your art work(if you haven’t crumpled the paper up and thrown it away..). On the left and right of the jug you will need to make two lists. Here they are…
On the left outside write the words…
Leaks through…

• Dirty Fighting
• Sarcasm
• Ridiculing
• Threatening
• Accusing
• Labeling
• Taunting
• Laughing at..

On the right outside write the words…

Leaks through…

• Assuming
• Sneering
• Contempt
• Ignoring
• Blaming
• Stone walling

These fourteen listed issues of “leaking” come from a life that is too full of emotions that are hurting everything about the jug. Eventually the jug will explode – or it blows its top/pops a cork.

As I prepared my list of the top three things, names and very difficult things surfaced with ease that shook me. I hadn’t realized how significant these situations and people were for me. With God’s help I began to deal with these. I am still on the journey this week in my thoughts as the list continues to grow and God deals with each issue.

I have recognized that sadly there has been a leaking of different things from my life over the years. That has been the hardest part to face up to – history.

The Hope for Emotional Health…
You will quickly have picked up on the fact that when the top three are dealt with it leaves a good mix of emotions in the old jug. The combination of Relief, Ease, Happiness, Pleasure, Desire and Love is the balance that we all seek.

You will also quickly realize that the mess of Mad, Sad and Scared will cover the good stuff below. Now keep on the "Lid of Indifference" and you will have problems.

As I said at the beginning…. “The Illustration was so powerful.”

Well… today I have some homework to do as I go about my business. I am continuing to clean the old jug by making some lists. I am asking for God’s help too. I just can’t do it alone.

Anyone want to begin their own journey along with me?

~ Pastor Murray ~