Lazarus’ appraisal theory of emotion powerfully proposes that emotions arise not simply from events themselves but from our meaning-making, our cognitive appraisal of whether a situation is relevant to our goals, values, and resources. This insight was developed by Richard S. Lazarus from the 1960s onward (notably Lazarus, 1966; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984; Lazarus, 1991), building on earlier appraisal ideas from Magda Arnold (1960) and alongside later refinements by scholars such as Klaus Scherer (1984), and it reminds us that human beings are not passive victims of circumstance but active interpreters whose evaluations shape fear, hope, anger, gratitude, and compassion. From a Christian perspective, this resonates deeply with Scripture’s emphasis on the heart and mind as the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23) and on the transformative power of renewed thinking (Romans 12:2), as well as biblical narratives showing how different appraisals of the same reality, such as David’s faithful interpretation of Goliath (1 Samuel 17) or Paul’s reframing of suffering as meaningful in Christ (Romans 8:18) lead to radically different emotional and behavioural outcomes. Lazarus’ distinction between primary appraisal (What is at stake?) and secondary appraisal (What can I do?) aligns with a theology of responsible agency under God, encouraging individuals to entrust ultimate control to God while actively exercising wisdom, coping, and love (Philippians 4:6–8), thereby fostering resilience, emotional regulation, and compassion. For personal wellbeing, this theory empowers people to understand and gently reshape their appraisals, reducing chronic stress and cultivating hope, gratitude, and forgiveness; for societal health, it offers a framework for addressing conflict, trauma, and injustice by transforming collective interpretations toward empathy and constructive action, echoing the Biblical call to “seek the peace of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7) and affirming that how we interpret our world can, by God’s grace, heal both hearts and communities.