The Danger of Starting to “Feel Good” Again - Part 1
When I start to “feel good” again, my faith actually starts to slip. It is so subtle that I almost don’t even realize it. As I start to “feel better”, I start to take my life back into my own hands again. I start to think “I can do this”.
The crisis has slightly lifted. I am not “feeling” quite so poorly. I have more hope. I am not so desperate. God has truly been faithful in bringing new support. I have new anchors. I start to think “Hey, I am doing pretty good. Maybe I don’t need God quite so much”.
When I go by my “feelings”, even “good feelings”, I actually start to trust God less and turn to myself more. My mind gets a little busier. I have more energy. I start to amp up my life again. I start to look for more activities. Through this “journey of faith”, one message has been more than loud and clear for me: faith is NOT the same thing as feelings. We cannot base life on our emotions. Emotions change from day to day. In fact, mine can change hour to hour. My faith in Christ cannot be based on how I am feeling, even when I start to “feel better”.
First principle: Keep an accurate measure of yourself.
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith that God has given you.” Romans 12:3 [+/-]
I am a woman that struggles to remember that my worth and identity are not grounded in what I do, who I am married to, how my kids behave, the home I live in, the car I drive, the company I keep. My value is in being a daughter of Jesus Christ. When I look to the world for a standard to follow, I am both defeated by where I don’t measure up and I am falsely elevated by where I think I am better. God does not call us to compare ourselves to each other. He calls us to remember who we are in Him. We are His children. My security comes from Christ. Not from my feelings.
Second principle: Today is a New Day.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 [+/-]
It doesn’t matter if it’s January 1st or 10th or any date of the year for that matter. God’s grace is always available to everyone who believes in Him. We can go to God and start fresh every day. Regardless of how I am “feeling” or what I have done or not done, God’s grace does not change. My feelings don’t influence God’s love for me. During a month where resolutions are commonly made and frequently broken, I can count on God for His compassion for me and every detail of my life.
Third principle: Keep your eyes on God.
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Psalm 89:1 [+/-]
Whenever we take our eyes off of Jesus, even for a brief moment, our lives can get off track. If we are “feeling better” and taking on the business of our lives, then we can come up short and become disillusioned and discouraged. You don’t spend as much time with God in prayer, reading the Bible, going to church or being part of an activity or study group with other believers. You start to do things again that you know may not be completely pleasing to God, but you rationalize that they aren’t that bad. Your frustration and restlessness start to increase. You start to find fault with others again. You start to not feel so good about yourself. Everything starts to shift again.
It was a sweet freedom when you were so desperate for God’s touch that you held onto Him all day, everyday. You sought Him in every interaction. You asked for His guidance with decisions that had to be made. You prayed for wisdom, discernment and clarity. You started each day with God. You praised Him regardless of what was going on around you. And every evening, you thanked Him for carrying you and all problems.
Join me for Part 2 - The Danger of Starting to “Feel Good” Again
