Many believers experience deep emotional stress over the sin and pain in the world. When these emotions become paralyzing, what should we do? “Pastor John, thank you for this podcast. Do you think Christians feel more than unbelievers? Before I became a Christian my life was challenging of course, but I almost seemed to be ‘numb’ or ‘uncaring’ towards sin. Upon becoming a Christian, and as I continue to learn more about the faith, I’m finding my emotions growing stronger and stronger. “Right now I’m walking through a season of loneliness because I no longer date unbelievers. Now I feel like I have almost too much empathy because others’ pain and troubles bring me to tears. My chest becomes heavy and my soul aches as I wrestle through so many life questions. “I guess you could say God is ‘molding’ me, which I’m eternally grateful for, but it has taken a toll on me, too. I’ve been encouraged to hear that a number of great Christians experienced great emotional stress and struggle (even David in the Psalms), but it is almost paralyzing for me at times. Is this normal? As Christians we’re called to have faith, confidence in Christ, and be filled with a joyful spirit, but now I find my spirit to be heavy. I guess you could say my prayer life lately sounds like Psalms 88 Chapter 88 1 O Jehovah, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee. 2 Let my prayer enter into thy presence; Incline thine ear unto my cry. 3 For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draweth nigh unto Sheol. 4 I am reckoned with them that go down into the pit; I am as a man that hath no help, 5 Cast off among the dead, Like the slain that lie in the grave, Whom thou rememberest no more, And they are cut off from thy hand. 6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the deeps. 7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, And thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah 8 Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. 9 Mine eye wasteth away by reason of affliction: I have called daily upon thee, O Jehovah; I have spread forth my hands unto thee. 10 Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall they that are decreased arise and praise thee? Selah 11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in Destruction? 12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13 But unto thee, O Jehovah, have I cried; And in the morning shall my prayer come before thee. 14 Jehovah, why castest thou off my soul? Why hidest thou thy face from me? 15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: While I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. 16 Thy fierce wrath is gone over me; Thy terrors have cut me off. 17 They came round about me like water all the day long; They compassed me about together. 18 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, And mine acquaintance into darkness. Psalm 89 Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. .” Pastor John, how would you counsel Amanda? EPISODE 1168 // March 7, 2018 // http://desiringgod.org/interviews/do-christians-carry-more-emotional-stress-than-non-christians For recent and popular Ask Pastor John episodes, visit http://desiringgod.org/ask-pastor-john