Having Victory Over Our Feelings

“Thou are ever on their lips, yet far from their hearts” (Jer. 12:2, N.E.B.). 

Have you ever thought or expressed, “I feel so far from God?”

Today’s Christians place too much emphasis on the way they feel. The truth is our feelings have escalated to the point that we have an internal battle about whether or not we can really trust God. We place God on our level and have determined that His power and promises are severely limited. Our emotions have weakened our spiritual connection to God. How we think overrides our faith and trust in God and is an indicator of unbelief.

Historically, church services have consisted of prayer, praise and worship, and the sermon. But we have established churches where worship services are designed to elevate one’s based emotions by only singing. Yes, today’s culture is designed to feel good. And isn’t that what God wants us to be “happy”? The issue is that songs occasionally do not provide a spiritual foundation.

So, outside of the song experience, we have a mind full of conflict and uncertainty. Many are plagued by fear, doubt, and worries that have a vice grip on us, causing more profound unbelief in an Omnipotent God who says, “I change not, and Is there anything too hard for Me?”

“The point is that feelings and emotions are a very unstable basis for measuring one’s closeness to God.” D. Winn, His Healing Love

David did a self-analysis to call out his depression, “Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, My Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

“Jeremiah complained to his Father about the attitudes of his people toward God: “Thou are ever on their lips, yet far from their hearts” (Jer. 12:2, N.E.B.).  Jeremiah knew that closeness to God was…measured rather by the alignment of the mind with the values of God’s kingdom.” D. Winn

Nike had a slogan, “Just do it.” We choose daily to rely on our limited abilities or to have total faith and trust in God. Make the declaration and commitment by speaking daily over your life, “My Feelings have nothing to do with my Faith in God. I will trust in the Power of God!!!”

Our faith obtains growth and strength by diligent prayer and knowledge of the Scriptures. We cannot be once-a-week Christians. Emotions are fed by the starvation of our spiritual connection with God. Our God parted the Red Sea and gave strength to the prophet Elijah to run past King Ahab’s chariot and horses. Has our Heavenly Father’s love, concern, and power ceased to exist?

We trust in ourselves and others who have good intentions.

Yet, God asks, “To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal says the Holy One? Have you not known? Have you not heard the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth, neither faints nor is weary? His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no strength he increases strength” (Isaiah 40:25, 28-29).

You can’t get any promises from humans that compare to God’s promises. We are created in His image with a spiritual connection more powerful than a baby connected by the umbilical cord to its mother. Our Father God never severs our relationship to Him. In fact, Jesus calls us friends because we know His plans and power.

No, you can never be closer than that with anyone, can you?

Prayer: God, we need Your help with our vacillating emotions. We desire a foundation that is rock-solid strong, built on faith and trust. We speak victory over our emotions and our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.