Feelings

A friend of mine, Catherine Fairchild from Jordan, Ontario, Canada, recently posted this piece by an unknown author about feelings.

“My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God’s Word defines truth.

“ My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives, and sometimes – many times – my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens – and it happens every day in some measure – I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: “Purify my perceptions of Your truth and transform my feelings so they are in sync with the truth.”

Catherine’s post is definitely relevant to a generation raised on the philosophy of the song lyrics, “If it feels good, do it.”  Then there is the scene in Star Wars when Obi-Wan Kanobi told Luke Skywalker, “Trust your feelings, Luke! Feel the force!”

Focusing on and being guided by the feel-good philosophy continues to drive our culture in the 21st century.

Religiously, many folks allow their convictions to be formed by their feelings. I’ve heard people say, “I know I’m saved because I feel it right here” as they pound their heart.

Sadly the message of the health and wealth gospel of prosperity preachers appeals to self-gratification. Discipleship (for them) is not defined by self-sacrifice, cross-bearing, or personal commitment, but by what we can get out of it. What it will do for us. How it will make us happy. And what we feel.

Satan is the master of manipulating your feelings. From the very beginning in the garden of Eden when he deceived Eve by what felt good, until this very day, the Tempter says, “Trust your feelings.” While the wise man admonishes:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Happiness, contentment and peace of mind ultimately find their source in God, not self. As my preaching colleague and WordPoints author, Gary Henry, posted on facebook.

“Our hearts are happiest when we want the same things that God wants and when those things are granted to us by His grace. To know that our deeds have been harmonized with our Father’s will is a wonderfully refreshing feeling.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman