Understanding Emotions as a Man

Scripture: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” — Psalm 42:11

Let’s be real—most of us men weren’t taught how to deal with emotions. We were told to “man up,” “tough it out,” or “get over it.” Somewhere along the way, we learned that expressing sadness or fear made us weak. So, we buried those feelings and tried to press on.

But here’s the truth: stuffing emotions doesn’t make them disappear. It just makes them come out sideways—through anger, silence, burnout, or distance from the people we love most.

Psalm 42 gives us a better way. The psalmist (many believe it was David) is not afraid to admit when he's struggling. He asks, “Why are you downcast, my soul?” He’s not ignoring his feelings—he’s naming them, facing them, and bringing them to God.

This kind of honesty takes real strength. It’s not about being ruled by emotion, but about being aware of what’s going on inside and letting God into those places. Even Jesus, the strongest man to ever walk the earth, wept, showed sorrow, and expressed emotion without shame.

Men, it’s time to shift the narrative. Real masculinity includes emotional awareness. You don’t have to fake strength. You can feel, and still hope.

Here are a few questions to reflect on:

1. What emotions do I tend to hide or downplay in my daily life?

2. How have those buried feelings affected my relationships, work, or faith?

3. What would it look like to bring those emotions honestly to God today?

   
   
   
   

Father, I’ve often felt pressure to hide what’s really going on inside. Help me be honest—with myself, with others, and with you. Teach me to see emotions as a gift, not a weakness, and show me how to walk with strength and vulnerability. Amen.