Our emotions can be powerful guides, but they can also be misleading minefields. I’ve discovered that when we stop letting sensitivity run the show, we find the freedom to see life as it really is—not as our suspicions tell us it might be.
Our Emotions Can Be Misleading
Lately, I’ve been thanking God for helping me overcome my sensitivity. Don’t get me wrong—
It's by His grace, that I am getting better at stepping back from getting my emotions ahead of facts. For a long time, they were running the show.
Being overly sensitive used to stir up things in me that weren’t pleasing to God. The enemy had a field day with it, twisting my emotions until simple moments became minefields.
How so?
Well, imagine a switch inside you, one that flips instantly to "defensive mode." That was me.
The moment something felt off, I would tense up, my mind racing with assumptions. The world stopped being a place of balance—where every coin has two sides.
Instead, I only saw the side shaded in doubt, offense, and negativity. Not a pretty sight, that I tell you.
Here is why I say so—
When We Misread Others' Intentions
Have you ever paid closer attention in moments when you caught yourself overthinking when something seemed to have crossed the line?
Excessive sensitivity convinces you that there’s only one way to see things—usually the worst way. It fogs up your vision, making you blind to neutral, harmless, or even well-intended actions.
It whispers, "They meant to hurt you." Perhaps, "They don’t understand you." Or, how about this, "They’re against you." And before you know it, you're reacting—not from wisdom, but from wounds.
And, that’s where the danger is.
When we lose sight of the full picture, we start misreading situations and people. Treating them as adversaries rather than fellow travelers in this life.
But God is teaching us a better way—to pause, to breathe, to see both sides of the coin before letting emotions take the wheel.
And let me tell you, the view from there? So much clearer. Ahhh... so liberating!
The Danger of Being Wrong: When Sensitivity Distorts Truth
Looking back, I can see how my moments of over-sensitivity often took center stage—especially during times of unhappiness or uncertainty—times when I felt lost.
When I felt lost, my mind would quickly convince me that others were against me, feeding a cycle of doubt and defensiveness.
My mind would quickly convince me that others were against me, feeding a cycle of doubt and defensiveness.
Sometimes, these reactions were purely circumstantial. Other times, they stemmed from repeated, uncalled-for experiences with the same person or people.
It would be unfair to place all the blame on myself in every situation, but at the same time, I can’t use that as an excuse. If I did, I’d never be able to truly enjoy life’s moments.
With time, I’ve come to realize that I may have misread situations more often than I’d like to admit. How many times?
I can't say for sure. But what I do know is that those realizations usually came later—after I had already jumped to conclusions based on misinterpretation or miscommunication.
Not good. Not fun. I know.
Finding God’s Truth in Our Emotions
So how did I come to see this flaw in myself?
Simple: God taught me. And He did so through experience—by allowing me to go through "learning moments," one after another until I could see what's causing the perceived disparity...
Because, most often than not, what we are thinking isn't what the "offending" person is actually thinking.
Time and again, He proved me wrong—not to shame me, but to correct me in love.
Because the reality is, my over-sensitivity didn’t just affect me; it risked offending God, and even influencing those around me to respond in the same unhealthy way.
This sure isn't part of the legacy I'd like to leave behind. Just who would want to be remembered as someone paranoid?
Just who would want their family to copy their imperfections? We don't want to be that person, right?
I know I can change that—by God's grace, naturally.
As St. Josemaría Escrivá wisely said, "We are responsible for others' sins because of our actions." And maybe, even through our inactions as well.
Lesson we can all learn:
What we find bothersome or frustrating may not reflect the other person's true intentions or perspective.
So, rather than overreacting, it’s wiser to step back, seek understanding, and remember—there are always two sides to every story.
Pausing enough to drop the thought is easier than we think. We can drop bad habits if we'd allow ourselves.
We'd know when change should come because it steals our peace. It affects our days, making us bitter.
Thank you for reading this little sharing of mine. And remember, wherever you are in the world reading this, I thank you for being part of this journey. If the stories here speak to your heart, I’d love to connect with you I share on Facebook.
Many Blessings!, Emilie
A Note from my Heart
I’m Emilie, a seeker of faith who finds God in the quiet pews and the divine surprises of everyday life. I write these reflections to invite you into a slower, more soulful way of seeing the world.