Where is God???
Have you ever been in a season of your life where you wonder WHERE in the world God is? Does He care? Why is He so quiet? Did He forget you?
I have. Often.
It is the hardest place to be. The worst part is, you really do KNOW He is there, but you just cannot get past the funk of “feeling” like He is NOT there.
The key here is feelings. We cannot allow our feelings to rule or influence us in any way. When we do, we are totally in the flesh. Yes., we are. Feelings based living is the polar opposite of faith based living.
Let’s compare feelings and faith….
Feelings say… I can’t. do this.
Faith says… I am more than a conqueror and I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus!
Feelings say… I am a worthless nothing.
Faith says… I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath!
Feelings say… I can’t forgive, I am too hurt.
Faith says… I have the mind of Christ!
Examples of Faith v/s Feelings in the Bible
Abraham – God told Abraham he would be the father of many nations. Abraham, could have laughed and stayed complacent right where he was. He chose to forgo “feelings” and trust what God said and walk towards the goal! There are several examples in Abraham’s life that show his faith based living and even what happened when he veered off course into feelings for a bit. (Ref. Genesis 11-24)
Joseph – He had quite a few trials that would have left most people broken. However, even though it was hard, unfair and many times unbearable, he persevered and wound up on the top and in victory. All because of the Lord. The same God who we often feel like He is not there…Do you think Joseph ever felt like God did not care? Well, of course! Did he dwell there though? No. THAT is the point! (Ref. Gen 37-45)
Gideon – He could have hid under a rock. That is what his “feelings” wanted him to do. However, he trusted in the Lord, even though it was not easy or natural for him and he defeated his foes. God saw the hero in Gideon, even if Gideon did not! He see the same in YOU! (Ref. Judges 6-7)
David – David is a good example of feelings taking over and learning the hard way. He allowed his feelings of lust to take over his mind and heart. The result was murder and then the death of his unborn child. However, he repented and God blessed him with more children, including Solomon! David is remarkable and spent most of his life trusting God and pouring his heart out. You can read all about his heart in Psalms! (Ref. 1Samuel 17 and on)
Jesus – He was man. Yes, He was the Great I Am. However, He came here and lived as a man. A man with feelings, emotions and lived as we do. He got splinters and sore feet. He felt happy and sad. He lived blameless though. He walked in obedience…even to the cross. We can see that He had feelings when we read about the end of His life when He pleaded with God to let this cup pass…BUT…He would do His will no matter what. We can read about His feelings when he wept over Lazarus death. NOT because Lazarus died. He was aware that He was about to bring him back to life. He wept over the emotion of how His friends felt. He was tired many times. However, He did not allow His feelings to take away from His mission. Jesus had feelings. However, He did not live by feelings. They did not rule Him. He was our perfect living example of faith based living. If he chose the feelings road, we would not have a free pass to Heaven. PRAISE the Lord, He walked by faith and obedience to the Father! (Ref. All the Gospels – Matt., Mark, Luke, John)
Is walking by faith easy? No.
Is faith based living possible in today’s word. YES! Of course it is!
How?
Getting more of the Word in you than the world. That means turning the TV off more and dying to your flesh. Easy? No, not at first. However, the more of God that you put in, the more you want and the less you want the things of this world. The more of God you put in will leave you with a joy you cannot find anywhere else and you WILL have faith abounding!
God IS with you. Always. He may not be loud. He may not give you what you want when you want it. However, you can be assured that He is ALWAYS there. He loves you and knows everything about you…even the number of hairs on your head! Oh, yes, my God…OUR God loves yo so very very much!
Fall in love with Jesus. Fall in love with God’s Word. It is a love letter JUST FOR YOU!
Let’s Pray;
Daddy God, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for making a way for me to walk in faith and not by feelings. Thank You for the love letter of Your Word. Thank You that it really does have everything I need of a happy and victorious life. Thank You that I do not have to be overcome by the circumstances, but that I CAN overcome all of my circumstances through Your Word and faith in You and what YOU say! Teach me Lord. I love YOU! In Jesus MIGHTY Name, Amen!
Homework:
Study and memorize: For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13
Dig deeper and read all the references in this devotional. Here they are again: Genesis 11-24, 37-45; Judges 6-7; 1Samuel 17 and on (David’s life); All the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; Matthew 10:30.
Study His Word!
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
Great! I really needed this today, God is so good and so faithful. My favorite verses is Prov. 3, 5&6. I try so hard to just trust in God and know that he is in control even when things are not making sense to me. I know he loves me and he sees the big picture and knows best. THanks for this site, it is really encouraging.
This is probably my biggest battle – Faith vs. Feelings. It is so easy to get lost in feelings and forget that Faith in God – that God himself – is bigger and stronger and smarter than any feelings I have. He is Constant, True, Faithful regardless of what I think or feel. Knowing the difference, and learning to differentiate between Faith & Feelings is really the path to that “peace that passes all understanding.” Praise Him for being who He Is!!!! What a timely & encouraging post!