Faith says, “I am a son of God by grace through faith in Jesus.”
Feelings say: I am not living up to my potential. I deserve correction, discipline or punishment.

Faith says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Feelings say: I feel overwhelmed. Where is Christ when I need Him? He seems a million miles away. How can I do anything pleasing to Him?

Faith says, “God is with me and will never leave me nor forsake me. He counsels me in the way I should go and He guides me with His eyes on me. I cannot be lost or forsaken. He will not reject me.”
Feelings say: Why can’t I feel His presence? If He’s really with me, where is He? I must be doing something wrong, or maybe there’s sin in my life I need to confess…

What is the Truth?
It has been taught that “we don’t go by our feelings.” Au contraire, mon ami. [To the contrary, my friend.] The Bible teaches that we default to what our heart FEELS to be the truth. This is why we are admonished to guard our hearts diligently and keep them focused on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. This is why Paul taught that we are to present our bodies (our whole being, spirit, soul and body) as a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to God and allow the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to transform the way we think and see life (Romans 12.)

The teaching, “we don’t go by our feelings,” is well intentioned, but doesn’t go far enough in helping people to change their feelings and align their feelings with their faith. It is powerful and satisfying to have feelings that reflect faith based in God’s Truth.

If what you are believing about God, about yourself and about others is not God’s Truth, then your heart has been polluted and cannot produce feelings that line up with your faith. You actually need an encounter with God’s Truth to allow Him to reveal the lies you believe that hinder your faith. He delights in giving you His Kingdom.

We do what we FEEL to be true. Our behavior is a product of our believing. What I do does not reflect my being. It reflects what I believe to be true.

Listen carefully and follow this reasoning:

  • If I tell lies, that does not make me a liar. It reflects the fact I believe telling lies will protect me, enhance my value or help me avoid taking responsibility for something.
  • If I steal, that does not make me a thief. It reflects the fact I am believing that I can get away with it, or I need what I steal and I cannot trust God to provide my needs, or what I steal will make me feel happy, valuable or worthwhile. In fact, it does the opposite…
  • If I stumble or come up short in a task or project, that does not make me a failure. It reflects what I believe about my ability to accomplish the task, or maybe it reflects my lack of knowledge or training. It might reflect my unwillingness to ask for help…

The “Feelings say” statements are all about our DOING. Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? Why do I keep doing it wrong? Is God pleased with what I am doing? All such reasoning leads you away from God and actually dulls your ability to know His presence, and follow Him in faith.

How do I change the way I feel?

Some people choose to numb their feelings, ignoring them or even denying them. They think this is ‘walking by faith.’

Some people follow their feelings because they are convinced God is not with them or for them.

Some people live well below their potential in the Kingdom of God because their feelings speak louder than their faith and they do not know how to recognize their Father’s voice calling them up to their destiny.

How do I overcome feelings that don’t line up with my faith? How do I get my feelings to reflect my faith? Is that even possible —to feel what God’s Word says is true?

Take for example, “If God be for me, who can be against me?” (Romans 8:31)
Is it possible to FEEL that God is FOR me? The answer in Christ is YES and AMEN! (2 Corinthians 1:20)

If your feelings don’t line up with your faith, it might be time you ask for help. We can help you encounter God’s Truth. That would be Jesus. He identified Himself as The Way, The Truth and The Life. For this cause (to save, heal, deliver and make us whole) Jesus came to destroy the lies of the evil one. (I John 3:8)

Go to the upper right corner of this page and click on the three lines. Find “Sign Up” and complete the Sozo Application form. We will be in touch with you to set an appointment where you will encounter the Truth that sets you free.

Blessings,
Pastor Bill

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