Our feelings change more often and are more unpredictable than the weather; yet they provide a vital component for the full enjoyment of life. I’m not a psychologist, but I don’t think it takes a degree to grasp the basic mechanics of “feelings.” Feelings are a conscious response to environmental input as well as things already stored in your mind. Emotions are our subconscious reaction to our physical circumstances. “Feelings” allow us to express the wide range of emotions that God created us to experience. Feelings originate from the information we feed into our mind. Even when we’re asleep, our mind is at work producing feelings.
For example, I woke up this morning feeling alone. At that moment I had a choice. I could choose to let that “alone feeling” dominate my mind and spiral me into the emotion of loneliness; or, I could choose to replace that feeling with the truth of God’s Word which says I’m never alone because the Creator of Heaven and earth is with me and—experience the emotion of joy—much like being in a room full of my favorite people.
This simple choice illustrates why it is IMPERATIVE to STUDY and KNOW God’s Word.
God’s Word channels our feelings into healthy emotions!
There is only one reliable source of truth we can trust to guide our feelings—God’s Word.
My friend, God has given us HIS belt of truth to shine the light and scatter the lies of the enemy. We were created in His image. If we know this truth, we know it does not change just because we feel a certain way about ourselves at a particular moment. God did NOT create us to live as a slave to fickle feelings which spiral out of control. Our feelings must be schooled by truth!
But remember, our enemies are CONSTANTLY masquerading as our friends to convince us that what WE FEEL (apart from truth) should dictate WHO we ARE and WHAT we DO!
God’s Word and His presence are our rock. We must be ACTIVELY and PASSIONATELY seeking HIM every day! We must be hiding the truth of His Word in our heart. Jesus died and rose again so we could have the choice to live in truth. Our freedom from the slavery of wrong feelings begins when we accept God’s gift of salvation.
After we are born again, our soul and spirit are ALIVE in Christ and we are equipped to bring our feelings in line with the truth!
Yet—even after we are born again, we can choose to live dictated by our feelings instead of God’s truth. This is a tragic way to live. If you had been a starved slave in a Siberian prison camp for 20 years and had been set free—would you EVER go back? No!
If we want to live in the GREAT freedom that Christ has promised us—we must KNOW the TRUTH and LIVE in the light. Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world. He who FOLLOWS Me shall NOT walk in darkness, but have the LIGHT of LIFE.”
“If you ABIDE in My WORD, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall KNOW the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you FREE.”
“Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever COMMITS sin is a SLAVE of SIN. Therefore if the SON makes you FREE, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:12, 31-32, 34, 36 NKJV
If we want to have healthy feelings which produce healthy emotions—we must know the TRUTH about—WHO GOD is; WHO WE are; and WHAT our PURPOSE is. This truth only comes from God’s Word. This is why we must put on the whole armor of God. It is God’s protection against our mind and heart. Our enemies are fighting for control of our mind. The enemy has bad intentions. We have two choices: We can choose to prostrate ourselves before the enemy, or to submit ourselves to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. If we allow Jesus, He will renew our mind in truth. Paul wrote:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
God has the most amazing thoughts to put in your mind. He has a marvelous plan for your life. His plan is greater than you can ever imagine!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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8 Responses
Thank you for your priceless wisdom.
God is soooo good to teach us! Blessings to you Courtney!
Thank you Kimberly Faith! The battle of the mind has been rough. There are so many influences out there. My feelings and emotions are all over the place. I am trying to stay focused, confess to God when I have sinned against Him in my mind and then try to get back on track and do whatever he calls me to do.
These negative feelings are hindering the joy that I want to feel and exhibit to others. I have my son’s wedding in about 10 days and I pray that I will be able to celebrate fully this special moment in my family. We all need to pray for one another so that we can stand against temptations and ask the Lord to deliver us from the evil that surround us.
God bless you.
Sharon, you are not alone! We must be constantly replacing those thoughts of the enemy with the thoughts of our loving Heavenly Father! Only He can give us peace that passes understanding. 🙏🏼
Thanks for reminding me that I have a choice about what or how I’m feeling.i needed that.
Me too! So grateful to God. Have a blessed day!
Thank you for the beautiful scriptures that I need daily. please pray for us all
Prayers being sent now!