Courageous Change: How to Boldly Pivot When Pain or Plateaus Are Keeping You StuckChikamu

Day 6: Pivot-Change Your Feelings

When God created us, we were blessed with the capacity to feel a variety of emotions including love, joy, sadness, anger, jealousy, grief, and compassion. These feelings help us form close connections with the Lord and with each other.

While our emotions are invaluable for building relationships, if we are not careful, they can also mislead us. You may have heard the saying, "If it feels good, do it." Many people live their lives by this motto. Instead, as Christ's followers, we are to live by faith in him. So, how do we keep our emotions from controlling us?

The Bible teaches we are to "say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…" (Titus 2:12 ESV).

As we seek to know and follow God’s will for our lives, we should carefully ensure that our feelings, and our reactions to them, align with the truth as revealed in the scriptures. If any cause us to doubt God or his word, we need to recognize and resist them.

For example, let’s say you are experiencing feelings of depression. Left unchecked, these emotions can cause you to question God's love for you or if he cares about your suffering. Contrary to what you may believe, he loves you very much (See John 3:16, 1 John 4:16). So, while your feelings may seem valid, if you allow them to be in charge, they may cause you to doubt God's character.

Rather than allowing our emotions to dictate our choices and the plans we make, we are taught to walk in the Spirit. The following verses teach us to pivot away from our feelings and follow the Spirit’s leading.

“But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do" (Galatians 5:16-17 ESV).

As you venture out to make plans and set goals for your life, it’s wise to be certain they are God-ordained, not emotionally driven. Consider the following questions before taking action.

• Have I asked the Lord for wisdom and guidance concerning my plans?
• Do my emotions agree with God's word, or can they be misleading?
• Am I being guided by my faith or my feelings when making important decisions?
• Will I trust the Lord and be obedient to him even if I don't feel like it?

Remember, even though your feelings are not always reliable, when you seek the Lord, he will faithfully guide you in his perfect will and plan for your life.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus. Thank you for the gift of our feelings. What a pleasure it is to experience the rainbow of emotions you give to your children. From joy to sorrow, they are all a blessing. Help me discern when I am reacting to my feelings instead of responding in faith. Amen.