Faith Over Feelings: Walking In Faith
What does walking by faith look like? As Christians, we are called to follow the lead of Jesus. We oftentimes will refer to this as, “walking in faith”. Paul encourages us, in 1 Corinthians 4:6, in each situation that we face we evaluate whether or not our feelings and opinions line up with His word.
It is easy to forget this as deep pain, trauma and abuse run rampant in our communities and sometimes directly in our own lives. But as humans God calls us to steer by what He has said instead of solely following any inclinations our heart may have.
Faith Over Feelings
What I have come to realize is that sometimes the hardest enemy to defeat is self.
Sometimes our feelings align with God when it comes to our attitudes and emotions, but we also find times where they don’t. Remembering this is important because if we start changing God’s truth to fit how we feel, then we won’t be following His will at all.
When you’re feeling low, heartbroken, unappreciated or that life has been completely unfair to you it may feel hopeless and like it will never get better. God gave us instructions for just these hard days. That’s where the Bible is reminding us of the attributes, qualities and standards that God has established for us.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NET
When we feel broken, overwhelmed or abandoned, it’s not easy to see the bright side of our future. Sometimes we may get confused or forget our healing, strength, joy and hope lies in Christ alone. Nevertheless, when we remember the incredible words from Jesus or even Paul about overcoming hardships and moving on through misery then it becomes easier for us to accept being able to face life head-on no matter what opposition life throws our way.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.
Acknowledge him in all your ways,
and he will make your paths straight
Proverbs 3:5-6 NET
Walking In Faith
Does walking in faith mean we ignore or push down our feelings? Does it mean we bottled them all up and hope we don’t explode at the next minor inconvenience?
No, on the contrary it’s taking an honest look at our thoughts, which lead our feelings, and take them to God. Sometimes our feelings are very real, hard and ugly. And God is patient in our healing and recovery process, but let’s be determined to move forward in baby steps towards healing and aligning ourselves with God’s word.
We ask God to meet us where we are, in those hard feelings. In the pain. In the depression. In the failure. In the shame. In the hopelessness. We ask Him to help us heal and grow all while learning to walk in faith.
Walking in faith and not easily swayed by feelings.
It’s comforting to know that our relationship with God is so much more than how we feel about Him or this world or even our own selves. On days when I don’t feel like I haven’t appreciated Jesus enough, or if I find it hard to connect with Him, I like to remind myself how important He is to me and count my blessings.
It’s hard at times, but as Christians we must remember that spiritual dryness happens in all of our lives. Allow yourself some grace and get back on track at the next opportunity.
Does God Care About My Feelings
Of course, God does care about our feelings. He welcomes us to come to Him with all of our feelings. Even the difficult ones.
The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalm 34:18 NET
There are many passages in the Bible that speaks on our thoughts, feelings and emotions. I have a list of 30 bible verses on emotions that help with the hard days.
We can cultivate a faith over feelings mindset because our security is in Christ. Life may be really hard, but He is our rock we can cling to as we walk through the toughest of life’s storms.
He heals the brokenhearted,
and bandages their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NET
Walking by faith not by sight. “Emotions can be funny things. They allow us to feel and experience life in ways that we would not otherwise be able to. But they can also be dangerous and destructive, especially when they are not properly managed. We can use our emotions as tools to help us make decisions in life, but for the most part, we need to let God lead us.” – Feelings Are Not Facts
What Is Walking In Faith
Walking faith. Paul encourages here in 2 Corinthians to live by faith and not by sight.
Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord— for we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:6–7 NET
Walk by faith means, “living life in light of eternal consequences. To walk by faith is to fear God more than man; to obey the Bible even when it conflicts with man’s commands; to choose righteousness over sin, no matter what the cost; to trust God in every circumstance; and to believe God rewards those who seek Him, regardless of who says otherwise (Hebrews 11:6).” – Got Questions
Why Should We Walk In Faith
As Christians, it’s important to remember that we should strive to glorify God in everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). It requires faith to live this way because life can be so hard and our feelings can be a rollercoaster sometimes. When we base our lives on the truth of God’s Word rather than on the popular philosophies of our day, or our swaying feelings, we are going against our natural inclinations or even what society says is normal.
When we allow our thoughts and feelings to run wild and as freely as they wish we run the huge risk of not aligning with God’s truth for our lives.
As brilliant as our brains are, they were never meant to be an independent source of enlightenment either. Adam and Eve discovered this quickly after they relied on their own understanding, forfeited their sacred communion with God, and thrust humankind into the curse of sin.
“When we use faith as an interpretive filter, it changes the way we see things, which changes the way we live. No longer are we bound to a finite understanding of life, dependent on our senses and intellect. Through faith, we tap into the infinite insight only God can provide. Armed with this new perspective, a believer can live out their God-given calling through Christ’s strength and power, rather than their natural understanding.” – Christianity Today
What Does The Bible Say About Faith Over Feelings
I have many articles that talk about our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Here are a few Bible verses on faith over feelings.
A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back.
Proverbs 29:11
This verse is a great reminder to show discipline in our feelings, submit them all to God and walk in His truth.
Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.
Psalm 26:2
I love this open transparency that David had with God. I enjoy reading over his prayers. They are filled with heartache and then David turns it around by preaching to himself God’s truth.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.
Proverbs 25:28
Again, we are encouraged to have self discipline over our feelings. They can be a tool to guide us, but never to be solely relied upon to lead us.
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:11
Is letting our feelings take us on rollercoaster rides walking in maturity? This verse encourages us to grow in maturity and faith.
How Do You Truly Walk In Faith
Here are 4 ways to walking in faith:
- Take it to God. Every thought. Every feeling. The good and the bad. Ask God to meet you in it all. Submit to Him everything and follow God’s word.
- Daily pray. Everyday take time to pray to God. Read through some of the examples in Psalms of David’s prayers. They are filled with heartache and passion and end with reminding himself of God’s truth.
- Read the Bible everyday. The bible says that we are to renew our minds and we do that by reading God’s word. Another benefit of reading the Bible is growing in our knowledge of God and His truth.
- Surround yourself with solid bible believers who will encourage on the good days and on the bad days.
“In the end, it is God and His Word that should inform our feelings, not the other way around. When you are tempted to listen to your feelings or your feelings are overwhelming you, stop and look to God’s Word. Compare what you are feeling to what He says.
Do your feelings line up? Great—follow what God’s Word says. But if your feelings contradict God’s Word, you need to say “no” to them. Those are the feelings we put off and ignore. Though they may feel strong, they’re not trustworthy. God’s Word is your source and foundation. Live by it, not your feelings.” – CrossWalk
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