This is the dreadful area where the devil uses his deceiving ways to lure us away from God. I admit the issue with following your feelings instead of God is something i struggle with everyday, and i bet many others do to.
Since it's summer i've been telling myself that i'm going to get up early and exercise to keep healthy. More times than i want, i give in to my sleepy body when it whispers "No, stay in bed Rachel! Don't get all sweaty and tired!" Satan uses this just the same like when you're home alone, or even have time on your hands and you know you should read your bible but instead he whispers "Are you sure? Look what's on TV today, check your Facebook!"
Something inspiring i read the other day, was a status by Chad Graham from the Chrisitan pop band, Anthem Lights.
"The Christian walk isn't about what you "feel". Satan uses your "feelings" against you. Ignore your "feelings" telling you not to spend time in the word today. Ignore those "feelings" telling you that you'd rather sleep or watch TV. God never said this walk would be easy... But man is it rewarding. I'll be the 1st one to raise my hand and admit I battle my "feelings" everyday. WHY is it that when I win that battle. I feel amazing the rest of the day. Yet I STILL have to battle my "feelings" the next day even though I know how rewarding it is when I win that battle. Why? It's simple. Satan. It's one of his many tools he uses against us. Ignore those "feelings" he uses against you. You are called to grow.. As a woman or man of God, you must win that battle Satan throws at you everyday. Start today. No more excuses."Now, don't get me wrong, feelings can be an incredible thing! They're great when you use them for what they're intended for. But if you start to let your feelings get the best of you, then you slowly slip from God's plan he has for you.
Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
God says we must not "follow our heart", but that is a mindset of the world we live in today. If we all followed our feelings, our lives would be a disaster! When it comes to staying pure for marriage, a person, both boy and girl, must keep a tight reign on his or her feelings. The main aspect behind purity is controlling your feelings and giving them to God.
When i complain about something and say "I don't feel like it" my mother constantly reminds me that i'm not to let my life be ruled by my feelings. Many don't 'feel' like going to work, but in fact if they didn't, they wouldn't be earning a living. My youth pastor spoke the other day on the difference between a slave and servant. A slave is ruled by an "I have to" attitude whereas the servant is ruled by an "I get to" attitude. Us as Christians should always have an attitude of a servant, because God calls us to be servants!
"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12:26
"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28Above are just a few of the many times he talks about being a servant. We must want to humble ourselves, ignore our feelings, and be a servant for Christ. When it comes to sharing Christ with others we must ignore the feelings telling us to keep walking, not to talk to the person that's lost because it will be "awkward" for you. In many situations of life, God wants us to listen to HIM not our feelings which the devil twists.
So what about you? I know i need to work on this area in my life big time. We need to help others with this issue too! God never said this walk will be easy, everyday we must take up the cross, forget our feelings, and humble ourselves completely before Him. Don't let the feelings get the best of you. Ask yourself, am i listening to God or my feelings?
