Feelings In Perspective

Chuckle: TEACHER: "Clyde, your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?" CLYDE: "No, teacher, it's the same dog."

Quote: “When we have 'second thoughts' about something, our first thoughts don't seem like thoughts at all — just feelings.” --Sydney J. Harris

FEELINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

    "Surely you heard of Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires (feelings); to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness"  (Ephesians 4:21-22 NIV).

The proper order for making life's decisions is facts, faith, and, finally, feelings.  “Take a strong foundation, build a house upon it, and then above the house you have the clouds and the weather. The foundation is the fact/truth of God's Word; the house is our faith settled down on the foundation; the weather represents our feelings because it is constantly changing -- coming and going." –Unknown source.  Let’s consider the following two truths:

1. I should make the right decision, take the right action, and do the right things based on God's truth, not how I feel. The Bible says we are to renew our minds.  How does God renew our minds?  Through His Word -- His truth.  God wants us to choose to do the right thing even before we feel like it.  If you wait until you feel like reading your Bible, praying, attending church, witnessing, doing the right thing, you won't do much -- that is until God matures you to the point that your desires and feelings begin to correspond with His truth.  His Spirit will empower you to choose to do what's right.  Paul said we should put off the old way of thinking by saturating ourselves with divine truth, then living it -- even when we don't feel like it.

2. I should constantly affirm the truth of God's Word.  We are to "prepare our minds for action. Be self-controlled." How do you do this?  You choose to do what God says in His Holy Word.  As you affirm the truths of God's Word, you can make decisions and take actions you never thought you could make or do.   “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).  If you have feelings of doubt and insecurity, listen:

"This then is how we know we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything" (I John 3:19-20 NIV).

If I confess my sins, and ask God to empower me, then He will give me strength.  To win at life, we must learn to control the way we feel.  Remember, God is in control even when you feel nothing.  We must rely on His promises and His truth.  True Christian maturity comes when our feelings begin to correspond, through faith, with His truth and will.  "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse