Faith Over Feelings

This weekend I found myself reflecting on a time in my life when my idea of nearness with God was closely linked to my feelings. I recalled the days of sitting on my little balcony, desperate to meet with God. I would pray for God to draw near, that I would be able to feel Him so close that I would be moved to tears. And often, I was. Not to discount those moments - because as the tears came, I certainly did experience the power and presence of God.

But there are times in life where we won't always feel God's overwhelming presence. There may be seasons we walk through that feel dry and barren. While we know that God is good, that doesn't mean we will always feel it. I used to depend heavily upon my emotions to connect me to my Creator. As I've grown in my relationship with God, I'm realizing how He has matured me to a point of recognizing that it's okay not to feel it. It's okay to read my Bible, pray, or sit and wait on Him, and not be moved to tears every single time. It's okay to just show up anyways.

I've found myself to be in a dry season for some time. For someone who does tend to be driven by emotions, it's challenging to motivate myself to show up when I don't feel it. I struggle sometimes with putting what I know above what I feel. The reality is that God doesn't always feel close, good, or faithful. Which is exactly why I need to lean into what I know to be true about God. His character is unchanging, though my emotions are constantly shifting.

How thankful I am that my emotions don't dictate my relationship with God. What I feel does not change who God is. And when I walk through the desert, I can still keep moving forward, because I know the promised land is on the other side. I am reminded of my time of training for a marathon some years back. I can't count the number of times I struggled to show up for my runs, but I did it anyway. I often totally missed the mark, or didn't reach the goal. I was putting in the work, but it sure didn't feel like it was doing any good. As far as I could tell, I wasn't making any progress. Yet without those days of "failed attempts" I certainly never would have been able to cross the finish line the day of the marathon.

Doesn't our daily quiet time with God often feel the same way? For me, it sure does. I'd love to say I always feel close and connected with God. Or that when I wake up I just can't wait to meet with Him. But that's just not always the case. Some days I show up and go through the motions. Sometimes I read my Bible just because I know it's what I should do. And yet I'm trusting that even in the boring and mundane, as I show up, God is doing something behind the scenes. Even if I can't see it or feel it, I'm choosing to believe that God is changing me. God is growing my character. Even when I read the Word simply because I should, I'm trusting that those words will be hidden in my heart and take root one day.

I hope you can be encouraged to keep showing up if you find yourself in the same boat. God is always present. He hasn't moved away from you, even if you can't feel Him near. His Word says to draw near, and He will draw near to you. So let's choose to come anyways, leaning into His character and trusting in His promises. What starts off as a discipline can become something we begin to do out of devotion. It's okay if establishing a quiet time routine feels like a chore some days. Sometimes you won't feel it, and some days you will have powerful encounters with the Lord. If you are faithful to keep showing up in the valleys, God will meet you. There's things He's waiting to teach us in the valleys and on the mountaintops. Just like in life, our relationship with God takes us through different seasons. Ups an downs, highs and lows, deep trenches and breathtaking peaks. HE is our one constant. Let's keep moving forward day by day. One day we'll cross the finish line. And it will all be worth it to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Scripture:

• "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." (Psalm 102: 25 - 27)

  
  

Question to ponder:

• What season do you find yourself in? Have you been letting your emotions deceive you into believing any lies about God's character? Challenge those thoughts by digging into the Word.

Action step to take:

• If you haven't already, start to establish a daily quiet time routine in the morning or evening. Start with only 10 or 15 minutes a day if you need. Just keep showing up consistently.