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THESE FEELINGS WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME!

Hey friends, how are you doing? How was weekend? There was a time, when I looked forward to my weekend; I suppose I still do, to some extent. Lately, my weekends have been a bit busier than I appreciate, perhaps it’s due to the two college girls who live with us.  There are lots of ‘discussions’ that take place in our home, especially in light of the recent upheavals in our country and take up way too much time.  Have I told you before I’m a task-oriented person? This pandemic has made it very easy to slip back into my ‘get these done’ mentality.  Now that our economy is on a timeline to gradual reopening, my attitude needs some realignment or an adjustment.  We need people to be ‘people oriented’ don’t we? Actually, people are a necessary component to build almost every godly character. In order to exercise love, patience, goodness, mercy, forgiveness, we need people in our lives. In my defense, He’s still working on me.  

When I was younger, I believed that the Lord would bless only the things I do willingly.  If I did not feel like doing something, then I should not do it, because after all the Lord knows my heart.  He knew I did not want, nor did I feel like doing, what ever it was that I should be doing.  Should I obey if I don’t feel like it? Are my feelings required in obedience?

There is a beautiful story in the Bible about a man called Jonah.  It is the 32nd book of the Old Testament and there are only three chapters. At our church, our pastor has actually begun a study on Jonah.   The Lord told Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the citizens of impending judgment. But Jonah didn’t want to. As far as he was concerned, the people deserved God’s punishment. Read the story. It is really a beautiful story of a man’s disobedience and God’s amazing grace. When feelings and obedience align, there is this instant gratification.  “Yes!  We can do this, Lord!”  But when there is that tug of war between my feelings and obedience? Which one wins? Which will get the victory?

Truthfully, obedience will triumph, when my life is in accordance with the Word of God.  What do we do with obedience to the Word of God when we don’t feel like it? 

You asked me to love, but indifferent is how I feel (I John 4:11)

You asked me to forgive, but bitter is how I feel (Colossians 3:13)

You said, ‘have faith’, but anxious is how I feel (James 1:6)

You said to be content, but jealous is how I feel (Hebrews 13:5)

You said to be kind, but violent is how I feel (Ephesians 4:32)

You said to be cheerful, but angry is how I feel (Psalm 68:3)

You said to be patient, but frustrated is how I feel (Galatians 5:22)

You said to be gentle, but spiteful is how I feel (Galatians 5:23)

Should I then acknowledge my feelings and go with it? Or should I apply self control and intentionally choose to obey the Word of God?  Should I surrender to my feelings and give it control? Should I do what I feel and then plead for  grace? Should I submit to God’s authority and rather, beg for strength? Should I wait for my feelings to catch up with obedience? What shall I choose to do today? Should I obey in spite of how I feel? What will you choose today? 

Sometimes, I like my feelings, sometimes I justify my feelings, sometimes I feel I have a right to my feelings (and I do usually) but when I give these feelings the option to control my actions, then I’ve gone against the precepts set for me as a Christian, in the Word of God.  The word of God did not give me suggestions or room to negotiate.  My feelings should take secondary place when they go against the Word of God.  I am entitled to my feelings, but I can take these feelings to the Lord. I can tell Him exactly what I feel, why I have these feelings, perhaps even why I should keep and act according to these feelings.  

Our God is always open to dialogue. Dialogue is good, but because our God is holy and righteous, He reminds me that He has even more reasons to be angry and impatient, and vengeful than I do.  He reminds me that if He can love me, surely, I love them (in spite of how I feel. He says safety is found in Him, rest is found in His arms, beauty is found in obedience.  He says His Word is final and forgiveness is free.

Most times our feelings are deceitful, at times, they do not tell the true story of a situation. When we adhere to those feelings, inevitably sin is not far behind. Will you allow these feelings to be the ‘death’ of you?

Let’s continue the conversation over on Instagram. Follow my Instagram and I will follow back, just let me know in the comment section. I would love to meet you 🙂

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43 responses to “THESE FEELINGS WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME!”

  1. Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers

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  3. I really really enjoyed your post : you are describing me . Thank you for your honesty because it is so refreshing !

    Interestingly enough as I grow older I become more passionate about issues of injustice and I have to constantly remind myself that God cares about justice more than I do and I must not let anger take over … but bring it all to him in prayer : thy will be done on earth …
    anyway : one day at a time!
    ( I am curious do you read French ? )

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  4. I really really liked your post: you seem to be describing me and all the questions I have about my emotions. I appreciate your honesty which is rare in some Christian circles . It is refreshing !
    Keep it up!

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  9. In agreement with you here. I have come to realize during this current virus crisis and spending much time in GOD’S word that yes, my feelings often do not line up with HIS word. Very often I need an attitude adjustment and thank GOD HIS word does that! Oh how thankful I am for HIS word and where would I be without it? Certainly in a pit! Choosing to obey in spite of our feelings is a hard thing……but it is a right thing to do. HIS word NEVER fails us! Thank you for your thoughtful post!

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  13. Such wise words my friend…this is where the word “surrender” that I’ve been trying to be mindful of comes into play….thank you for your obedience in writing this out❤️
    P.S. Your girls are so darn cute!!

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  15. So, this was a timely post! Especially the part about justifying my feelings today. More times than not, my feelings can come from my flesh. It’s a habit that I’m slowly learning but being aware of this, I go to God to deal with my flesh and feelings in order to get my “faith adjustment.” In today’s case, I found out my fleshly feelings LIE. Thank you for sharing this, Brenda. I needed to read this

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  16. What an apt title you gave this post! A particular passage in Romans has been tagging at my feet these past few weeks, and I am reminded of it in regard to your “feelings vs obedience” wisdom:
    Romans 8,5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

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  17. You and your daughters can go to the mall 🙂
    Sometimes for me I need to get my body there and my mind follows later. What I mean is that even if I don’t feel like obeying and showing God’s love and grace, if I do the action I am usually glad I did.

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    • Yep 👍🏽 we are on our way (as soon as it opens) unfortunately our governor did not give permission to reopen, but thankful for everything and in everything 😁😁 I definitely agree with your method. That’s usually how I have to obey, obey first let the feelings follow

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  18. My oldest son is a very passionate defender of victims of injustice. He has been wearing me out lately. But I know that God doesn’t want me to refuse to talk with him about these important issues just because I am old, tired, and cynical about things getting better. So I guess I’m saying that even thought I don’t want to, I feel like I should obey God’s leading. And I must say that I feel much better after I do! I think of the story of the lazy son who said he wouldn’t help his father but in the end he did the work, versus the son who said he would help, but he didn’t . I think obedience is the thing. Great post! Hope your day goes well. ~ Paula

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  20. God and I have feeling conversations a lot. Unfortunately, I still have a lot of growth to do in terms of self-control, lol. But I am working on it! Some times I do better than others. In this together! God Bless!

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