It seems that the last few weeks have turned into a mild roller coaster ride. I’ve had a lot going on, a lot on my mind, & a lot to learn.
Through everything God has been teaching me a lot. In sum, you could say He’s been teaching me how to ‘take Him at His Word’ no matter how I’m feeling; to remember that even when I’m feeling this or that, it doesn’t mean that this is reality. I finally read a book that a college friend of mine gave to me as a gift soon after I became a Christian - Faith is Not a Feeling: Choosing to Take God at His Word by Ney Bailey. I only wish I’d read it sooner!
Choosing to take God at His Word - it’s a matter of putting aside how I feel & choosing to trust in what His Word says instead of my own feelings. God & His Word are constant & will never perish; my feelings, however, are ever changing & often reflect my over-analysis or over-reaction to life.
One of the feelings I’ve dealt with lately is feeling worthless or unloved. But despite such feelings affecting me at times, I know that God loves me because His Word says so, & there are many verses to prove it!
As Psalm 119:76 states, God loves us unfailingly:
May Your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to Your promise to Your servant.
& in Psalm 36:7, for a second example:
How priceless is Your unfailing love!
Both high & low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
I too often find myself worrying about needless things, which also reveals that I am not trusting in God & His Word as I should. During such moments, I must remind myself of these things:
- God will take care of us & our concerns (1 Peter 5:7)
- God is faithful - always (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)
- His love for us is immeasurably wide & long & high & deep (Ephesians 3:18-19)
- God works in all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)
Choosing to take God at His Word. An important new habit to put into practice. I know I won’t always get it right or be free from worries or emotions I’d rather do without, but through all things I know God will help me to continue discovering His steadfast love & faithfulness in each & every day.
The Lord led me to your blog only moments ago, and I must tell you Amanda, He used your heart-felt writing to encourage me and remind me that our feelings often lie to us and that its when we’re in the midst of the darkest chapters of life, that we can grow closer to him, and fall deeply in love with him.
I’m delighted to know of your blog, and am so happy for you that you can live in the NC mountains. I wold gladly haunt the mountains forever! I will be an ardent reader of yours, and will pray that that he “who is able to to above and beyond” would continue to inspire you as you glorify him and teach others.
Happy autumn!
Jo
Psalm 1 is nice.
I enjoyed your post. It’s so great to have an online community of believers.
Two summers ago we made the trip across country to North Carolina. It was sooo beautiful. My pastor recently said they are some placed you are called to and some sentenced to. North Carolina would be a calling to that’s for sure. What a beautiful part of the country!
Blessings,
Debbie aka The Real World Martha
found you via smittys blog. you are so right on amanda in the need to take God at His Word as opposed to tying Him to our emotions. He declares Himself in His Word. So if our feelings are telling us something else then its His Word that is more reliable a constant reminder i need!! Enjoy your site and your sharing amanda, grace and peace!!
These are great revelations, Amanda. God seems to have to re-teach me this idea over and over…. this thing of choosing to believe and trust despite my emotions. Seems like I’ll ‘get’ it in one area, and then turn around and let my emotions dictate my perceived reality in a different area. Sigh. Someday.
Thanks for your comments on the video on my blog. I agree…. It is completely amazing.
Thanks, Kim. I’m the same way… always relearning this & having to really work on making it a habit in ALL things, which is the hardest part when a ‘new’ stress can appear in life, even the most mundane, unimportant things.. It’s definitely a life-long practice & walk in the Christian faith.
[...] studying His Word, not basing our relationship with God too greatly on feelings or experiences. Our own feelings cannot be trusted–they change faster than the weather at times & are often the result of missed perceptions of people, situations & [...]