What feeling is often associated with the emotional upheaval of repentance?

The emotional upheaval of repentance is often accompanied by discomfort because it involves a profound recognition of one’s shortcomings and the realization of the need for change. This internal struggle can bring about feelings of guilt, shame, or regret as individuals confront the impact of their actions on themselves and others. The process of acknowledging faults and seeking forgiveness can be challenging and might elicit a sense of unease.

While joy and relief can ultimately be part of the experience of repentance, they usually come after the initial discomfort when an individual processes their feelings and moves towards forgiveness and a fresh start. Anger, on the other hand, is typically not a primary emotion associated with genuine repentance but might surface during the struggle against recognizing one's faults or confronting the consequences of actions. Thus, discomfort is the most fitting feeling to describe the initial emotional upheaval of repentance.