We are led to believe our lives should be easy, we should be pampered, our every whim satisfied, our feelings and wants trumping all truth.
It looks something like this:
I don’t feel good about something someone says….I blurt out hurtful things. I mean, someone has to “set ’em in their place”, right? Might as well be me.
I don’t like something someone does….I slander their name. Gasp. Who do they think they are?
Someone doesn’t make me feel good about myself….I feel devalued. How dare they not notice what I’ve done! Why, if it weren’t for me…….
Something doesn’t go the way I think it should….I freak out. Yeah, I know best. Don’t mess with me and my plan.
We have made a god out of our feelings. They have become more important than truth.
Functioning from our feelings alone, tells God we don’t trust Him enough to take Him at His Word.
The only way to overcome this god of feelings is to acknowledge them, see what God says, believe it, and rearrange my perspective.
1. When I feel angry….God says:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… along with every form of malice.”
~Ephesians 4:26-31~
“Everyone should be…slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” ~James 1:19-20~
2. When I feel disdain or irritation….God says:
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” ~Romans 12:3~
“Honor one another above yourselves.“ ~Romans 12:10~
“Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.” ~James 5:9~
Do I humbly elevate another’s value? Or is it all about me?
3. When I feel discontent or jealous…God says:
“Be content with what you have“ ~Hebrews 13:5~
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” ~Proverbs 14:30~
“When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work- this is a gift of God.” ~Ecclesiastes 5:19~
Am I happy with the wealth and possessions God has given me? Or do I doubt His faithfulness because I don’t have the best, the most, the greatest?
4. When I feel overlooked, unnoticed….God says:
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart.” ~Proverbs 16:5~
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves… look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ~Philippians 2:3-4~
“Humility comes before honor.” ~Proverbs 15:33~
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” ~1 Corinthians 4:5~
Do I value others more than myself enough to be ok with not being the center of attention? Do I trust God to one day personally acknowledge my unnoticed works?
5. When I feel hurt by others words….God’s Word says:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” ~Proverbs 15:1~
“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court…my conscience is clear….It is the Lord who judges me.” ~1 Corinthians 4:3-4~
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my Helper…. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust man.” ~Psalm 118: 6-8~
If I am in right standing with the Lord, why do I care about another’s judgment?
Without a doubt, there are times our feelings should be reconsidered in light of God’s promises. His Words have proven a firm foundation for thousands of years. Let’s choose to acknowledge them, believe them and through His grace, apply them.
I learned a long time ago not to act from feeling alone. Good thoughts, friend.
Wonderful points. One of the most life-changing things I've learned is that if someone says something that upsets me (or does something) – 90% of it is my issue – 10% theirs.
Oh, that's good! Thank you for sharing!
“The god of feelings” is right! “Follow your heart” is one of the biggest lies of the culture. As it says in the scripture you quoted, the heart is deceitful. We need to quash our flesh and rather live in the Spirit in obedience to God. Many, however, live by their flesh because they know no other way.
So true, Laura!! So true!
Kaylene…what an excellent post! How much we tend to focus on "me, me, me" even in the smallest things. I love that you remind us its not about us but in everything about God. When we look up and not inward, we will not get wrapped up in our feelings but instead get wrapped up in pleasing God most importantly in all things. Thank you for sharing at Monday's Musings. Have a fabulous
You're right Kaylene. I do think feelings are a natural part of being human, but controlling them should be too. If I can ignore my feelings, I do; but if I can't – then I work to calmly use my words. Conversation works better than venting. It's taken years of practice, and I'm certainly not perfect but I continue to work on it. Thanks for linking at Counting My Blessings. Enjoy
This is such a great reminder that the Bible really needs to be the authority of our lives. We can trust it far more than we can trust our own feelings. Leading by feelings only leads to regret when following the wisdom of God always leads to our best!
Thanks for that reminder, Kaylene! Blessings to you and yours.
Ooo, Kaylene, I love this post! So much truth here for all of us, myself included! I’ll be sharing it around.
Jen 🙂
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