It starts small: a reaction too quick, a word too sharp, a spiral too deep. When emotions sit in the driver’s seat, life feels volatile. You’re left either excusing yourself — “That’s just who I am” — or drowning in guilt for letting feelings win again.
The system whispering beneath: “You are your emotions. To deny them is to deny yourself.”
The Lie Vine
Lie: “My emotions define me.”
“If I feel it, it must be true.”
“I can’t help it, that’s just me.”
“Unless I express it fully, I’m not authentic.”
The Tree You’ve Been Under: Emotion-as-Identity
Anatomy of this tree
Walk through the core parts of this tree, following the fruit - what you are seeing - to the root lie. Expand each section for a short explanation and reflection prompts.
Fruit — Visible outcomes
- Broken trust
- Shame
- Instability
- Relational strain
Leaves — Everyday actions
- Snapping in anger
- Shutting down in sadness
- Reacting before thinking
Branches — Reinforcing patterns
- Outbursts
- Withdrawal
- Impulsive choices
Trunk — False belief
Expressing emotion = authentic identity
Root — Core lie
Self is defined by feelings
You are not less human for feeling deeply.
But you are not free when feelings become your master.
There is a better tree — one where emotions are honored, but not enthroned.
Step into the Spirit-Led Tree
See what life looks like when emotions are guided by the Spirit, not enthroned as self.
See the Good Tree