Tag Archives: feelings

Feelings vs. Faith

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“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

Are you afraid of your feelings? Afraid that you may drown in your overwhelming emotions? Do you bottle up your feelings because the thought of the pain that comes with feeling is too much to handle? I can relate!

I used to fall on either extreme of bottling up my feelings or drowning in them.  I’m happy to say that even though  I can be sensitive, I express my feelings in a much healthier way now.  I’m no longer afraid of feeling because it may hurt.  It’s actually quite relieving to experience the pain because in doing so I can be free to experience healing and move forward.

Maybe you’re wondering what changed for me… Well truthfully I began to feel safe when I entered into a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.  I knew that I was no longer alone and that I didn’t have to be afraid anymore.  My emotions may have felt bigger than me, but they definitely weren’t bigger than my God.  He could handle them.  I had to surrender everything over to Him especially my broken heart.  The more I poured my heart and soul out to Him the more healing I experienced.

I guess you could say that if it wasn’t for my FAITH in God I’d most likely still be bottling up my feelings or exploding and drowning in a sea of emotions.  I highlight the word faith because sometimes it literally feels like your feelings and emotions are at odds with your faith.  It’s a battle that requires looking up, and despite what we’re feeling, holding onto our faith.  The truth of God’s promises are so vital for when we are going through a battle of our feelings vs. our faith.

Sometimes in my efforts to be pious, I shy away from fully expressing to God what I’m really feeling as though it would be displeasing to Him.  An example of this would be when I’m feeling lonely in my singlehood and my heart is longing to be with my future husband.  At first I think that if I admit that I’m feeling sad and lonely that God would see that as me being dissatisfied in my relationship with Him, or as lack of faith on my part in that God wouldn’t provide for my desire. Fortunately, I realize the truth that He cares about every detail and that nothing is a surprise to Him. He knows my heart and He’s aware of my pain.  The Bible says that He is close to the broken hearted. That is so comforting!

Though I’m an imperfect, sinful human being, He perfectly heals the brokenness of my heart and helps me to feel and express in a safe and healthy way. I’ve entrusted my heart to the one who created it. I encourage you to do the same.

If you’re reading this and you want to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour then with a sincere heart please pray the following prayer out loud since Romans 10:9 says that, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”:

Dear Jesus,

I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Saviour.  I believe that you are Lord and that God raised You from the dead.  Please forgive me of all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I receive Your gift of eternal life and I thank You for saving me.  It is my desire to follow You all the days of my life and to do Your will. Please deliver me, heal and restore me.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen ❤

 

 

Overcoming Depression With A Good Word!

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Overcoming depression with a good word!… what does that even mean?  Let me share that I just made a conscious choice right now not to wallow in my feelings of loneliness and sadness but instead to acknowledge that they are there and they are valid, but they do not rule me.  I have a choice to allow myself to give into these feelings and head down a path of  negative thinking which will only cause anxiety about my current situation which really isn’t bad or anxiety about the future.  My choice is to look upward and not inward; to step outside of myself and entrust what I’m feeling to my Saviour.  As I turned to God for sweet comfort and relief, I came across a Scripture which inspired me from the book of Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25.  It reads: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” God is so faithful, He never fails to provide what we need just when we need it!  So I’ve decided to turn to His Word, His truth to bring me (and you) comfort and relief while weathering these stormy waves of loneliness and sadness.  The first Scripture that comes to mind is Psalm 46:10 which says: “Be still, and know that I am God.”  We’re actually applying this Scripture right now by turning ourselves and our feelings over to the care and trust of God knowing that He can comfort and bring relief and that we can find gladness for our hearts in His Word.  I find it most helpful to address specifically what we’re feeling with Scripture that speaks truth to counter the lies that our feelings may lead us to believe.  For example, I’m feeling lonely right now but does that mean that I’m alone? No, so I will read and meditate upon a Scripture which speaks truth into my being. In Isaiah 41:10 God says:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I also know that I never have to worry about being alone because as a born again believer in Jesus Christ, He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me.  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Finally there’s one more Scripture I’d like to meditate on and that’s from Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

That is one of my favorite Scriptures because it offers so much hope about a future that is unknown to us but known to God.  During these emotional times we have a choice to let our feelings rule us and lead us into anxiety and depression or turn to a loving God who is in control and knows every detail that lies ahead.  I choose to trust! I trust that as I choose to trust God I will be blessed – maybe not necessarily with what I want when I want it, but definitely with what I need when I need it.  He knows my needs better than I do  and He is a faithful provider.

I’d like to pray tonight for anyone that may have an anxious heart…

Dear Lord,

Thank you for Your mercy and love for us.  You truly are compassionate and you care enough about your children to want to carry our burdens and give us rest.  Lord I pray for all the anxious hearts tonight. Father please gives us the rest and peace that only You can provide as we surrender ourselves, our feelings and our emotions completely to You.  Please give us the strength Lord to lift up our heads even though we may feel so low and to look upward and not inward so that You may shine Your glory upon us and bring us sweet relief and comfort during this time.  Father I pray for your protection so that we may not be led into the temptation to give into the enemies tactics to use our feelings against us by feeding us lies.  Help us to turn to You through Your word so that we may equip ourselves with Your armour so that we may withstand and share in Your victory.  Father God, thank you! To you be all honour and glory.  In the name of Jesus, Amen. ❤

For those who feel alone who do not know Jesus as your personal Lord & Saviour I pray that you will turn your heart over to Him who will love and rescue you from eternal separation from Him.  He loves you and cherishes you so much that He died for you.  Hear that… Yes you are worth dying for! Romans 10:9-10 clearly says “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” I urge you, don’t wait another minute! Run into the arms of Jesus right now and allow Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to give you His gift of eternal life.  You are loved!