Saturday, December 18, 2010

Feelings and Faith

I haven't been on here in a while but I thought I would share a few things.

Within this past year, I have been in a season of brokenness. It has been hurtful, hard, and oh so sweet. Looking back, I see that God has been sovereign and perfect through it all. He has never left my side, He has always been there to pick me up. He is good, He is faithful.

A certain theme came about in this season of brokenness:: the difference between feelings and truth, and the battle between my flesh and spirit.

I have learned that feelings are lies. Feelings are fleeting. If we are to rely only on feelings, we will constantly be caught in chaos between our heart and our mind. Sometimes we go through seasons where we can't "feel" God. We can't "feel" His presence or His voice; it's almost as if He isn't there. If we rely on that feeling, we are calling God a liar, we are saying that His word is not true. God says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." [Isaiah 41:10]

His word is truth. Galations 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."-- This verse does not say I live by feelings in the Son of God. We are called to live by faith. Even when we don't feel like reading our word or we don't feel God near to us, we must take up the shield of faith and refuse to live by those feelings.

This goes right along with our flesh. All throughout the new testament we see that Paul and others constantly write about the battle between our flesh and our spirit. This never meant much to me until this battle has been made apparent to me every day. Feelings are of the flesh and sin is of the flesh.

I realize that as a girl with many feelings and emotions, my flesh seems to take over most of the time with selfishness and just "hurt feelings". Likewise, as a woman of God, I am called to a higher standard, a standard of faith and continuously putting on Christ about 100+ times a day. It is so important to fight the battle between our flesh and spirit and not allow our flesh to gain control.

Romans 8:13 describes it perfectly, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Praise God that we don't have to fight the battle alone. It is only by the Spirit that we can defeat it, which means we need Him more than anything. I am thankful for His grace through it all. He is a beautiful, gracious Savior who wants the best for His children. All glory be to God.