Faithfulness over Feelings
While recently perusing though an old journal, I was confronted by a barrage of weeping entries declaring the overwhelming assumption that God had surely abandoned me… or at least that was how it felt. Waves of feelings were chronicled that I now realize resulted from a steady reliance on emotional footing.
I did find, and still write, sincere entries of desperation for God’s presence, much like David’s Psalms, but many pages were filled with fluttering insecurities in God’s consistency and faithfulness as described in Scripture. Following Jesus seemed shaky and unfulfilling when my feelings weren’t satisfied.
There is a great danger in walking on this foundation, as I fully understand now.
But this is a common disorder I have seen in many young women, and unfortunately still in myself as well. It is the abandonment and rejection we experience when we can’t feel God near. Our virtuous purpose is too sensitive around emotions. “Good feelings equate to success” we think, but this mindset is illogical and simply not Scriptural. If feelings dictate our success as Christians or fuel our fulfillment in God then we are living a disillusioned version of biblical discipleship. Jesus didn’t call the disciples with the promise of good feelings and emotional happiness for eternity.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. … You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” (Matt. 10:16, 22)
There is a high price and serious determination in Christ’s calling here; one that will not likely rely on emotions and warm sentiments. I think it is high time we resolve in our hearts, especially as women, to value faithfulness over feelings. We must demonstrate something deeper than skin to allow for perseverance and loyal devotion to Christ. Authentic Christianity is pressing through the droughts of passion and moments of melancholy with a sturdy resolve to pursue God faithfully, even if our emotions aren’t backing us up.
This is not at all to say that following Christ offers us no joy. Quite the contrary. Life as a Christian has difficulties, yes, and there are times when our perseverance must rest on deep resolution and faithfulness to God rather than absent feelings, but God does provides an abiding joy – not mistaken for emotional bliss – steadfast in our hearts resulting from a clear, steady knowledge of God’s character and faithfulness found in the pages of His Word. When this biblical understanding is seared into our souls, we can endure voided emotions and still possess a joy that sweetly blesses us in darkness and sings in the silence.
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Filed under: Femininity, Reflections, Scripture on January 9th, 2009
I'm Kaysie, 22. Jesus follower. Lover of sunshine, trees, hot tea, books, music, family, the gospel, poetry and Barnes and Nobles. Has a weird obsession with paper. Over-analyzes almost everything. Adores simplicity. Lucky for you. 
But this is a common disorder I have seen in many young women, and unfortunately still in myself as well.
Wow. I could have written that sentence myself. Thank you for sharing this, Kaysie; very poignant and timely, for me! You put your thoughts together so eloquently! You really should write a book!
Hi Kaysie!
Thank you SO much for this post. I think as females it is so hard to not let our feelings rule us. I struggle with this so much. One day I am happy and joyful in the Lord, and the next day I am moody and despairing because I feel as if God is nowhere to be found. Any little thing can set me off and make me douby myself and the Lord.
Thank you for the reminder that I need to keep my emotions and “feelings” under control and rest completely on the Lord even when it’s really hard to do so.
Love,
Sara
Excellent post, Kaysie! In the past I’ve struggled with letting emotions rule me, but I’ve gotten better over the years. Sometimes it’s hard for me to completely trust God, even if I don’t understand everything or if I can’t ‘feel’ Him close by.
I don’t know how God does it; I’ve heard this a lot of times before. Yet today, as I read it, it provided such a sense of peace and encouragement, especially encouragement. I find it extremely easy to go by feelings and sight and not by faith. But, thanks to the Lord, I’m stopping that, and He’s used you as a great help today.
God bless you girl
Well said.
And neat timing – I just started a 3 part series on this topic over at my blog!
All of those feeling of abandonment aren’t real. They’re just the devil trying to steal us away. God is always with us. When we feel abandoned we need to dig a bit deeper into God’s word and we’ll find Him standing right there.
Wonderful post!
WOW, Kaysie! This post reminded me of a quote that I just read the other day, and I want to share it with you. “You don’t have to feel God to know He’s with you. The Bible tells us God is with us, and that’s all the proof we need to know. It’s a fact. Feelings or no feelings.” ~ Karen Kingsbury, “Every Now and Then”
I find myself often getting so caught up in the feelings of spirituality. When that happens, then if I can’t FEEL God close to me, then I think that He must not be. (Sure there may be times like that, and that is my own fault. Either unconfessed sin or me following my own path instead of His has gotten in the way.) The above quote and your post have reminded me that I can’t go by feelings and sight. I have to go by fact and faith!
Thanks for sharing!
“…we can endure voided emotions and still possess a joy that sweetly blesses us in darkness and sings in the silence.”
I think that phrase is simply beautiful. It reminds me of a line a friend of mine wrote the other day:
“…if God blesses me any further, I will die from a joy that kills.”
It sounds negative at first, until you realize: God can multiply her joy upon itself so much, it will be too much for the human body to contain – such is the Lord’s treasure in heaven.
So beautiful. Such hope. Do you feel sometimes the Lord speaks to you through others, one snippet at a time? Sort of a Deja-vu scripture hint?
Thank you ladies for your encouragement!
I am kinda glad I am not the only one who goes through this, although I wish you all didn’t.
This is a subject that really needs to be confronted and talked about among ladies, I believe. I see so many women who are consistently defeated and walking in shame because their emotions are deceiving them into believing God isn’t near. Like many of you said, He IS near, even when we can’t feel Him. We know this because His Word tells us, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Heb.13:5) Joy should be there, even if “feelings” aren’t.
Thanks everyone for your insights. I love reading what you have to say.
Kaysie, I have had many many times of doubt and sturggle. Even Christ did before he went to the cross. But you know, I always find that He IS faithful….much more so than I deserve!
Kaysie, you are an extremely talented and gifted writer. Your words hit the nail on the head every single time and I’m so happy that God has chosen to work through your encouraging and inspirational writing to help other young women along their journey with God.
This post is wonderful and I really did enjoy the bible verse you provided.
Thanks so much!
Ella, yes, even Christ struggled before enduring the cross. But thank God He chose to remain faithful and not follow His “feelings”. He is so faithful.
Diane, aww, thank you!
That means so much to me… I enjoy sharing me heart with you all, and I should probably thank you for listening! 
God bless.
AAAMEN. Thanks so much for that! We must be more concerned about lowering ourselves before God than being lifted up emotionally.
God bless!
Kelsey
Dear Kaysie,
God truly sent me here tonight to read this post. I have spent the day on and off crying for a variety of reasons… but I have seen this emotional dependence that I have… if I don’t ‘feel’ satisfied and loved by God then I plunge into despair… or worse, if people fail me, as happened today with someone I thought truly cared, I don’t go to God for strength but allow my emotions to dictate my reactions. Still I have a pain in my heart over what happened, but I can’t let that change my faith in God.
Thank you SO MUCH for this.
love you ~
Phylicia
Boy did that hit home Kaysie!! This is SUCH and area of weakness for me as well…
On one hand, it’s encouraging to know that I’m not the only one who gives into the “follow your emotions” temptation…
But it’s very convicting and sobering to realize that relying on my emotions is failing to rely on God’s promises and truths. Thank you so much for pointing this out!
Brianna
Something I have done with my journaling, to remind me of God’s faithfulness, is to not only record the good times and the bad, but to leave a written note to remind myself. I took a halfway used up journal, and wrote on random pages questions like “Do you remember how He saved you?” “Do you remember how He carries you?” Do you remember His Faithfulness?” Do you remember He loves you?” And below each question I wrote a journal entry date that will remind me of the answer to that question.
Thank-you for this post. I found your blog through Cross Eyed Blog, and am so glad I did! I too, find I cling to my emotional ‘highs’ with the Lord so much that I panic whenever I don’t ‘feel’ Him. Thank-you so much for your encouragement to feed on His faithfulness.
Praise His name!
~Sally