And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Over the years I have come to learn a great deal about myself from the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the most perplexing discovery is trusting the truth of my feelings … or at least I always thought they were true.
God designed each of us with feelings and with them we are able to express the love, joy and happiness in our relationships. But what happens when someone or something upsets the “applecart?” When what once was joy turns to pain and sadness? When smooth waters turn to fear and anxiety? Is this what the lord had in mind? Did He really expect me to hurt in grief to the edge of despair or experience the pain of loss to the edge of hopelessness? No, no He didn’t. In fact, Satan, with all of his same tricks from all generations has confused us to trust our feelings as Truth. But here is the problem with that … trusting in anything for redemption places those things in front of our Savior. It says that God is not able to save me, comfort me, redeem me, love me, change me, protect me or provide for me.
You see, our feelings are often times out of sync with the truth. Our feelings respond to impulses from our minds and our minds draw conclusions through correspondence with our will. Together, the three of these in a split second construct a belief in which our behavior is birthed. But what is right? It “feels” like it is right many of the times, but this is Satan’s crafty way of making that which is untrue appear true. This, in turn produces sin.
It’s important to remember that my feelings are not Truth. God is Truth! So, when I am feeling anxious in a relationship or disgruntled over a circumstance, what is Truth? God is! It is imperative that we seek God in the midst of our feelings and ask Him to reveal His truth so that I do not bend truth in my mind to match my feelings. What I may perceive as true and what actually is Truth are two different things.
So, the next time I feel out of control, the next time I feel anxious, the next time I feel unworthy I’m turning my heart towards the Truth to seek The reality of who I am in Christ not because of what I’ve done, but because of what He’s done in me!
by: Mark Cruver
Sealed & Seated 