[For several issues of Christianity Magazine, Dee Bowman ran a series of articles entitled “I Am Fred.” This piece is taken from the February 1989 issue. It’s truths are just as relevant and practical today.]

I guess you’re beginning to see by now that Fred is fairly complicated. Even though he is not famous and hasn’t done anything to distinguish himself, he’s still a fairly intricate fellow.

I know how Fred feels about everything. I am his emotions. Emotions are a feisty lot. We are not fitted for controlling people, yet we just can’t help trying. But usually Fred won’t let me. He’ll step in and wrest away the control by returning to his intellect so that he gets a clear picture of things and not just some sort of feeling. Folks have tried in vain to define me and my kind. They use definitions like “any agitation or disturbance of the mind.” And I have to admit, I do that a lot - agitate the mind, that is. I’ve caused Fred many a sleepless night by stirring up his mind about something. But I’ve caused him lots of joy by getting him really excited about something or other, too. Emotions are a nebulous sort, I guess.

The reason I’m so hard to define is that I am not based on observations or operations, but rather on subjective perceptions. And, to be perfectly honest, that’s another reason I’m not really good at ruling the mind, because I have lots of trouble being logical, rational, sensible. Frankly, I’d rather not be confused with the facts. I’d rather just do what feels good.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have lots to do with Fred - both his mind, and his body. For instance, one of my tools is anger; it’s one of my strongest feelings. When I use it, I can affect the adrenal glands and get Fred so infuriated he wants to fight or say hurtful things. When I make Fred feel anxious or worry, it affects the digestive glands and may even make him need some sort of antacid to quiet things down. And when I cause fear, I can constrict the blood vessels and make his blood pressure rise.

I can also help Fred with these tools, too - if he keeps me under control. For example, righteous indignation is controlled anger; and it certainly has a place in a man’s life. Concern is the right measure of worry and is necessary for good spiritual health. And the right kind of fear - reverential respect - is necessary to please God. Perhaps the best thing I bring him is peace, causing him to feel really good - even tranquil.

I also affect Fred’s powers of communication. If he is in a depressed state - feels blue - it can be transmitted to those round about him and cause them to be sad, too. On the other hand, if he is bright and cheerful - feels good - then that may well translate to others and cause them to adopt the same happy feeling.

I can quickly disguise myself, appearing to be very intellectual. For that reason, people ask Fred, “How do you feel about that?” when what they really want to know is, “What do you think about that?” I’m not very intellectual, though. I just like to look the part.

I am tied to all the rest of Fred’s mind in some way. I have an effect on his will and sometimes his will has an effect on me. I can cause a decision (Acts 2:38), or I can be impressed by one (Acts 8:39). I can affect his intellect by giving him good information (Luke 15:17) or I can, improperly used, give him a bad course of pursuit (Acts 26:9). And when Ole Conscience hurts Fred, I am the culprit who comes down hard on his heart. I can cause him to have pity (Proverbs 19:7), compassion (Matthew 18:27), mercy (Luke 6:35- 36), all on account of Ole Conscience and me squeezing his heart.

I provide an important function for Fred in worship. I help him worship in spirit (John 4:23), or with the right disposition. I provide the right mental atmosphere for him (Acts 17:24-27). I help him to have the right kind of respect for God (Job 28:28). I even help him keep the exercises involved in worship from becoming mere rituals (Psalm 105:1-5).

I know I’m a little hard to understand, a little hard to control. But I’m a help, too. I’m part of Fred, just like your emotions are part of you.

Be careful with your emotions. They can serve you well only when you subordinate them to your reason.