This is a devotional from "Streams in the Desert." I thought it was quite good, and one that I'm sure many can relate to."We walk by faith, not by appearance." (2 Cor. 5:7, R.V)
By faith, not appearance; God never wants us to look at our feelings. Self may want us to; and Satan may want us to. but God wants us to face facts, not feelings; the facts of Christ and of His finished and perfect work for us.
When we face these precious facts, and believe them because God says they are facts, God will take care of our feelings.
God never gives feeling to enable us to trust Him; God never gives feeling to encourage us to trust Him; God never gives feeling to show that we have already and utterly trusted Him.
God gives feeling only when He sees that we trust Him apart from all feeling, resting on His own Word, and on His own faithfulness to His promise.
Never until then can the feeling (which is from God) possibly come; and God will give the feeling in such a measure and at such a time as His love sees best for the individual case.
We must choose between facing toward our feelings and facing toward God's facts. Our feelings may be as uncertain as the sea or the shifting sands. God's facts are as certain as the Rock of Ages, even Christ Himself, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
(Author unknown)
4 comments:
Faith itself has in it something that most people would call feeling. Saving faith means "receiving Christ." "To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). But receive as what? We usually say, as "Lord and Savior." That's right. But something more needs to be said. Saving faith also receives Christ as our Treasure. A non-treasured Christ is a non-saving Christ. Faith has in it this element of valuing, embracing, prizing, relishing of Christ. It is like a man who found a treasure hidden in a field and "from joy" sells all his treasures to have that field (Matthew 13:44).
Physical sensations are not essential.......but faith that treasures Christ.....and "imperfect"....but new...affections follow.
You couldn't have posted more true words Maureen.
When God does communicate a fact to us, a fact we need to cling to by faith, many things will intrude that distract, tempt and weaken our resolve - one big one is feelings. Of course Abraham famously struggled with feelings as he walked before God in the facts of God's calling. Few better role models than Abraham exist for the Christian tempted to be sidetracked by feelings.
Hey Maureen...I'm not a "doctor", but I figured out why you might struggle with depression!!
Ike and William as your only two comments.....that has me a "tad" depressed:)
Hippie
Maureen
How excellent...especially these lines
"Our feelings may be as uncertain as the sea or the shifting sands. God's facts are as certain as the Rock of Ages..."
That is exactly what I was facing these past two weeks as I took a break from blogging. I felt as if I wanted to quit....but the fact is that I am called to continue.
Thank you for sharing this devotion this day
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