Emotions - 29 Days

Use this 29-day campaign to dive deeper into the emotions we all feel: sadness, joy, love and fear. We suggest using each of the bullet points for your Twitter account and choosing just one for your daily Facebook post. For graphics, click the link on the text and you’ll be taken to the graphic on our Facebook.
Sadness
Day 1
- Article: Being Thankful in All Circumstances
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/thankful-in-all-circumstances.html #cruemotions - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" #cruemotions
- Graphic: “Give thanks in all circumstances”
- #CruChallenge: Read Psalm 50. Rather than trying to be thankful for the circumstances God gives you, be thankful in them, trusting His sovereignty. #cruemotions
Day 2
- Article: The Healthiest Way to Face Disappointment
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/the-healthiest-way-to-face-disappointment.html #cruemotions - “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
- Graphic: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!” Psalm 43:5
- #CruChallenge: Read Ruth 1:20-21. How are you facing disappointment? Have you been able to take it to God? #cruemotions
Day 3
- Article: 3 Things I Learned to Better Live the Christian Life
https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/filled-holy-spirit.html #cruemotions - "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18 #cruemotions
- Graphic: "The Christian life isn't difficult, it's impossible – without the power of the Holy Spirit." – Bill Bright
- #CruChallenge: Read 2 Corinthians 7:9-10. Tell God that you truly want His help to stop the sin in your life and replace it for righteousness. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read 2 Corinthians 7:9-10. Tell God that you truly want His help to replace the sin in your life with righteousness.
Day 4
- Article: "Jesus gives peace"
http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/jesus-and-the-intellectual.5.html #cruemotions - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “Disappointments break your heart, but his appointments you accept right cheerily.” – Charles Spurgeon
- #CruChallenge: Read John 14:27. Give your troubles to the Prince of Peace so that you no longer feel the burden. #cruemotions
Day 5
- Article: Making Sense of the World
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/devotionals/making-sense-of-the-world.html #cruemotions - “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.' Jeremiah 30:17 #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: 'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast.' Jeremiah 30:17 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
- #CruChallenge: Read Jeremiah 30:16-17. Are you having trouble making sense of the world and its hurt? Let God heal your wounds. #cruemotions
Day 6
- Article: Depression and Anxiety; it’s all in your head
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/depression-anxiety-all-in-your-head.html #cruemotions - “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “When pain is to be born, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.” – C.S. Lewis
- #CruChallenge: Read Philippians 4:4-9. Are you in the midst of anxiety or depression? Know that God’s love surpasses all hurt. #cruemotions
Day 7
- Verse: Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” – John Piper
- #CruChallenge: Read Romans 15:7-13. Take a moment today to ask God to fill you with His joy and overwhelm you with His hope – Practice doing this daily. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read Romans 15:7-13. Take a moment today to ask God to fill you with His joy and overwhelm you with His hope. #cruemotions
Love
Day 8
- Article: Conversations About Love
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/other/conversations-about-love.html #cruemotions - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son." John 3:16 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “To love someone means to see him as God intended him.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- #CruChallenge Read John 3:5-20. Take the spiritual conversation cards and share them today with a friend in need of love. #cruemotions
Day 9
- Article: Can We Really Find True Love?
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/other/can-we-really-find-true-love.html #cruemotions - “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “Where Love is, God is.” – Henry Drummond
- #CruChallenge: Read 1 John 4:7-10. Have you found yourself scouring the earth for love? Stop. Look to God to fill you with His love.
Day 10
- Article: Learning about Fatherly love https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/parenting/fatherly-love.html #cruemotions
- “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any one of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:14 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.” – Rick Warren
- #CruChallenge: Read Matthew 18:10-14. Who in your life looks to you for guidance and support? Pray that God equips you to pour love into them through Him. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read Matthew 18:10-14. Who in your life looks to you for guidance? Pray that God equips you to pour love into them.
Day 11
- Article: "The color of love"
https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/discover-god/god-is-love.1.html #cruemotions - Quote: “The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy.” – D.L. Moody #cruemotions
- Graphic: “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: “But God showed His great love for us…” Romans 5:8 #cruemotions
- #CruChallenge: Read Matthew 27:45-56. Reflect God’s love today to one person you normally struggle to like. #cruemotions
Day 12
- Article: True love
https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/discover-god/god-is-love.html #cruemotions - “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9
- Graphic: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 #cruemotions
- #CruChallenge: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. Compare the world’s concept of love and God’s. If we loved with God’s love how would our lives be different? #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. Compare the world’s concept of love and God’s. If we loved with God’s love how would our lives change?
Day 13
- Article: God IS love
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/discover-god/god-is-love.5.html #cruemotions - Graphic: “But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God – for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 #cruemotions
- “I cannot love you as I love myself until I love God as I ought to love Him.” – Jack Hyles
- #CruChallenge: Read 1 John 4:10-21. Take pleasure in His love today, then go out and change the world by giving His love away to others. #cruemotions
Day 14
- Do you believe you’re loved enough?
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/other/loved-enough.html #cruemotions - Graphic: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 #cruemotions
- “The chain of love are stronger than the chains of fear.” – Basilea Schlink
- #CruChallenge: Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. Use Cru’s resources to show others that they are loved enough today. #cruemotions
Fear
Day 15
- Article: Overcoming Fear Factors
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/overcoming-fear-factors.html #cruemotions - Graphic: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 #cruemotions
- “How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.” – Florence Nightingale
- #CruChallenge: Read Joshua 1:6-11. We all need to move from fear to faith to courageous act. Pray through your greatest fears and find strength in Him. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read Joshua 1:6-11. We all need to move from fear to faith. Pray through your fears and find strength in Him. #cruemotions
Day 16
- Article: Why Worry?
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/why-worry.html #cruemotions - “Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: “Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
- Graphic: “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” – Corrie Ten Boom
- #CruChallenge: Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Remind yourself that where you are weak, God is strong. #cruemotions
Day 17
- Article: Fear, Faith and Failure of an Artist
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/devotionals/fear-faith-failure.html #cruemotions - “The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.” – John C. Maxwell #cruemotions
- Graphic: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” Ephesians 2:8
- #CruChallenge: Read Ephesians 2:8-10. Think of a time when you failed or were too afraid to even try. Was God in it? Give him each moment of your life. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read Ephesians 2:8-10. Think of a time when you failed or were too afraid to even try. Was God in it? Give him your fears.
Day 18
- Article: Answered Prayer for Boldness
http://www.cru.org/communities/locations/australia-and-oceania/australia/answered-prayer.html #cruemotions - “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “You can ask God for anything. He will answer you. Be patient to wait and expect the answer.” – Lailah Gifty Akita
- #CruChallenge: Read Mark 11:20-26. Do you have faith like Jesus talks about in these verses? Ask for something and believe God for it. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read Mark 11:20-26. Do you have faith like Jesus talks about in these verses? Ask for something and believe God for it.
Day 19
- Article: "God conquers fear"
https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/share-the-gospel/evangelism-principles/faith-steps-what-are-you-afraid-of.html #cruemotions - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil 4:6
- Graphic: “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.” – John Newton
- Twitter Text: “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!” – John Newton
- #CruChallenge:Read Philippians 4:1-7. Write down the things right now that make you anxious. Pray through each item that God carry that fear away. #cruemotions
Day 20
- Article: How to Talk to Your Family About Christ
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/share-the-gospel/outreach-strategies/how-to-talk-to-family.html #cruemotions - “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone, but make your fear a visitor and not a resident.” – Max Lucado #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone, but make your fear a visitor and not a resident.” – Max Lucado
- Graphic: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you.” 2 Peter 3:9
- #CruChallenge: Read 2 Peter 3:8-14. Think of a family member in your life who doesn’t know Christ and reach out to them. It can start with just a cup of coffee. #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge: Read 2 Peter 3:8-14. Think of a family member who doesn’t know Christ and reach out. It can start with just a cup of coffee.
Day 21
- Article: How to Bring God into the Negative Parts of your Life
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/how-to-bring-god-into-the-negative-parts-of-your-life.html #cruemotions - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35 #cruemotions
- Graphic: “A perfect faith would lift us absolutely above fear.” – George Macdonald
- #CruChallenge:Read Luke 7:1-10. As Ney Baily has said, faith is not a feeling, it’s a choice we have to take God at His Word. How is your faith today? #cruemotions
- Twitter Text: #CruChallenge:Read Luke 7:1-10. As Ney Baily has said, faith is not a feeling, it’s a choice we have to trust God. How is your faith today?
Joy
Day 22
- Article: Joy Before a Firing Squad
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/discover-god/god-is-a-personal-spirit.10.html #cruemotions - "We rejoice in spite of our grief, not in place of it." – Woodrow Kroll
- Graphic: “The joy of the LORD is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10
- #CruChallenge: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Ask the Lord to help you be joyful in all circumstances. #cruemotions
Day 23
- Article: Pervasive Joy and Peace
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/discover-god/god-is-faithful.7.html #cruemotions - “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:16
- Graphic: “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude” – Karl Barth
- #CruChallenge: Read Psalm 16. Discover how the author was filled with joy. #cruemotions
Day 24
- Article: Pure Joy
http://www.cru.org/communities/campus/tiffany-found-pure-joy.html #cruemotions - “But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
- Graphic: “There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.” – William Barclay
- #CruChallenge: Read Luke 15:1-7. Have you experienced the joy of knowing Christ? Share your joy with someone today. #cruemotions
Day 25
- Article: Can You Really Find Happiness?
http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/my-story-a-life-changed/my-story-sarah-templeton.html #cruemotions - "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22
- Graphic: “The Lord gives His people perpetual joy when we walk in obedience with Him” – Dwight L. Moody
- #CruChallenge: Read Psalm 51. Remember and ask the Lord to restore and renew the joy of your salvation. #cruemotions
Day 26
- Article: Joy in Being You
http://www.cru.org/communities/athletes/why-did-god-create-me-like-this.html #cruemotions - “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
- Graphic: “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” – C.S. Lewis
- #CruChallenge: Read Jeremiah 29:11. Look at where you are at right now. Surrender and trust the Lord that His plans for us are for our good. #cruemotions
Day 27
- Article: Secret of Contentment
http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/help-others-grow/mentoring/contentment-secret-of.html #cruemotions - Graphic: “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.“ Psalm 16:9
- “Happiness is untested delight. Joy is delight tested.” – Jack Hyles
- #CruChallenge: Read Philippians 4:12-13. List down the things at you are discontent with. Claim the joy of contentment that the passage declares. #cruemotions
Day 28
- Article: True Happiness
https://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/my-story-a-life-changed/my-story-sarah-templeton.html #cruemotions - “Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience.” – Matthew Henry
- Graphic: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
- #CruChallenge: Read Romans 15:13. How are you in trusting the God who gives joy? Think of steps so your love for Him will grow. #cruemotions
Day 29
- Verse: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:7
- Graphic: “Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.” – Sam Storms
- #CruChallenge: Read James 1:2-4. Can you be joyful in trials? What is your perspective when you face trials? #cruemotions