As parents and spouses, we are bombarded by “feelings." We do what we can to make everyone happy, and often we simply push our needs, our wants and even our “feelings” to very bottom of the emotional pile of our lives.
As responsible parents, we usually will put the needs of our children and our spouses ahead of our own; but in the end, we run out of space for us. At first, a noble and heroic act of selfless love; but in the long haul, a recipe for disaster.
It’s crucial that we find a healthy balance of our own time and energy to serve those we love. But in that balance, we must guard our hearts and allow our own feelings to be processed in the light and comfort of God’s love, by reconnecting our hearts with God’s word.
Feelings are powerful… strong enough to sway our resolve and threaten our sanity.
Feelings are transient, intense but fleeting… and random and un-expected, an expression of our immediate circumstances, but a feeling can make that moment feel like an eternity.
God’s truth is timeless… ageless, and unfading.
God’s love is deeper than a feeling of being loved, or a desire to return that love… God’s love is a reality. Regardless of how we feel… it exists, it persists and affects us.
Without time for reflecting and refreshing in the truth of God’s word, remembering again of His faithfulness, we can become vulnerable to living a life that’s tyrannized by our “feelings." We may regularly find ourselves floundering in the deep—dark waters of life, floating lost and alone. It’s not really true of course, but it sure FEEL’s that way.
God offers to us something bigger and stronger to hold onto than just our feelings… He provides an anchor for our souls… a reality and truth that never wavers. It’s up to us to ask for help… ready for whatever answer He gives…. not as an act of religiousness…but for the sake of our heart. Choosing to linger each day in His presence long enough to remember what’s real & true and trustworthy.
2 Corinthians 5:2-8 (Message) “Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.
6-8 That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in, but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us?
Hang in there dear ones, life is constantly churning—exhausting us with new ”feelings.” Don’t let them drive you away from God. Instead, take a moment with the one true thing in your life and allow His truth to rescue your heart.
Blessings,
Pastor B.
