“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
June 14, 2024
“I just don’t feel like reading my Bible…so I don’t do it.” “Follow your feelings for feelings are the authoritative guide to personal fulfillment.” If you want to live counter-culturally, then resolve not to be ruled by your feelings. Emotions are not disposable. They are a part of what it means to be made in the image of God, but they have to be “under the control of God’s Word and Spirit and sound mental judgment” (Feelings and Faith, Brian S. Borgman – very helpful book). Sin has disordered our emotions. The Bible commands a variety of emotions. One of them is to experience joy, even in the midst of the bumps and bruises of life. Ask God to work joy in your heart no matter what the circumstances. Stand guard over your thoughts. Is your stream of thought one of complaint and self-pity? This is spiritual quicksand. We can pull ourselves down by feasting on “what’s not going right.” Keep in mind that feelings can send us the wrong message. Elijah thought he alone was remaining loyal to God, “I alone am left,” (1 Kgs. 19:10,14). The truth was weariness and hunger had depleted his energy level. Remember we have to fight for joy. It’s worth it.
H