Some days I simply don't feel like it. You know about those days too, I hope...the days you don't feel like:
- sweeping up breakfast crumbs
- changing out all the sheets
- disciplining my children
- apologizing for my tone
- living within a budget
- eating healthy
- exercising
- reading my Bible
- speaking kindly
- praising my God in the midst of trials
Do you ever feel like your feelings rule you, instead of the other way around?
Our sweet surprise of a sixth child has added to some extra feelings, as well. It's amazing how much I can be affected by feelings of what I do or don't want to eat, how much energy I don't have, how bloated I feel, what clothes don't fit, and how anxious I feel about doing it all over again. Between the feelings of nausea, exhaustion, and a bit of fear, I have already known days, early in this pregnancy, where my feelings overtook what I know to be true: That God is faithful. That God is sovereign. That God is bigger than my feelings.
You may be in a season where you know very well the feeling of being overwhelmed, discouraged, weary, and unmotivated. Perhaps it's physical, maybe it's emotional...it's always spiritual.
God does this funny thing where he allows us to feel weakness and strife, so that he can show himself to be mighty and faithful:
"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)
There is purpose for those feelings...they are meant to lead us to the one who is a Strong Tower.
How might we combat, then, the deluge of feelings that can threaten our awareness of his strength and sufficiency? The Psalmist gives us a good idea:
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2-5
In other words, talk to your soul! Tell your soul, "Soul, bless the Lord, and forget not his benefits!" Remind your heart who is in charge, and why the Lord is trustworthy. Instruct your soul once again in the promises of the Lord, in his lovingkindness, and in the good that he generously gives over and over, even when we don't feel it.
So, this is my prayer for myself--that I might preach to my heart, and tell it what is true. Feelings come and feelings go, as do circumstances. The Lord never changes and his mercies are never-ending. I want to be anchored to that this day.
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