Choosing Life Changing Faith: Faith Vs. Feelings


Today 

Today, I want to help you experience life changing faith that is similar to what we are calling the “Heroes of Faith,” in this series on faith, which is found in Hebrews 11. If you look at today’s picture of life, you will see three important parts as we chug along in our Christ Follower’s journey. Check out what each part of this picture attempts to share in order to, hopefully, encourage you in your faith.

  • Locomotive = Faith: Faith leads. Faith pulls. Faith is anchored in the truth of God’s Word. It comes from God as a gift. It comes when we read the Word of God or hear it out loud. (Romans 10:17.) It is based on H-O-P-E, as we Hold On Promises Eternal, and God’s eternal promises are NOT based on the shifting sands of emotion.

  • Coal Car = Facts / God’s Promises The coal car feeds the engine. God’s Word fuels faith. Without the truth of Scripture, faith has nothing to burn. We could consider the Holy Bible as God’s Coal Car for our lives.

  • Caboose = Feelings: Feelings are real, but they find reality in how we think. If we do stinking thinking, we will do stinking feeling. Our feelings find life in how we believe. If we believe the wrong thing, or if we focus the locus of our thinking on the wrong thing, we will have feelings that are not helpful. They follow. They do not steer. They do not supply power. They simply come along for the ride:

Additionally, our feelings can be impacted by a number of other things: They can be driven by hormones or the lack thereof. Our feelings can be driven by medications we are taking. Our feelings can get really hyped up when we drink too much caffeine. The food we eat effects our feelings. Alcohol can be an emotional downer. Sleep deprivation can leave us frazzled. Growing up in a home where perfectionism is demanded, and which causes us to be driven, can make fear and anxiety right in home with each one in adulthood. Go ahead: Think about too many days ahead, instead of today. Or worry about days gone by, instead of focusing on today, and you will find both ways of stinking thinking will cause feelings to go all wonky.

SATAN is a liar, says Jesus, and “he is the father of all lies, and when he lies he speaks his native language". John 8:44. Through the world system, and the fleshly nature, and from he and his demons, lies can be implanted. Now, we can choose to believe his lies. Or we can respond to his lies with the truth. Like Jesus, we can say, “IT IS WRITTEN,” and then speak the Word out loud; otherwise, if we believe his lies, our feelings will rob us of God’s best. Even so, this does NOT mean we are not still people of Faith.

IN OTHER WORDS:

Your life moves in the direction of what leads your train. If faith is in front, fueled by the facts of God’s Word, your feelings will eventually line up. But if feelings are allowed to take the lead, the whole train of your Christ Follower life, can get off track.

God never asks you to feel strong before you move. He simply asks you to trust Him as you seek to move forward. Faith is not pretending emotions don’t exist. They are important for processing information; however, Choosing to have faith refuses to let them drive you.

When the locomotive of faith is pulling, the journey becomes steady. When the coal car of God’s promises is full, faith has power. When the caboose of feelings is in the right place, you experience peace instead of chaos.

You don’t wait for feelings to change before obeying God. You move because His Word is true — and feelings follow truth, not the other way around.

Here are some God Promises To Help You Move Forward:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 — “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

  • Psalm 119:105 — God’s Word lights the path, not emotions.

  • Isaiah 26:3 — Peace comes from a mind stayed on Him, not on feelings.

Prayer

Lord, I believe. Please help me! Help me overcome my unbelief. Lord, help me put faith in the lead today. With your help, I will read your Word. I will hear your promises, I will study Your Word. I will meditate on Your Word. I will memorize it, and as I do, I am trusting you to fill my coal car of life with Your promises. Have mercy, O Lord, and let my feelings remain where you intend them to be. Help me choose truth in order that my feelings will follow truth instead of steering my life. Teach me to walk by faith. In Jesus Name I Pray.  AMEN!

Y'all Keep Chugging Along By Faith !

Ya Hear?

SoJourner



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