When the Feelings Aren't There...

Psalm 143:7-12 (Click on reference to read text)

Have you ever had seasons in your life where you felt like this Psalmist? Have you found your spirit failing and felt like you were falling into a pit? I don't know about you, but I definitely go through "dry seasons." Seasons where I am overwhelmed, discouraged, cannot think clearly, and generally feel depressed. I am actually walking out of a season like that right now. So you know you are there... what do you do? What do you do when you are a believer, but the feelings just aren't there?

First, we need to call our feelings what they are... feelings. This may sound redundant and crazy, but we need to realize that our feelings do not always accurately reflect our reality. Instead of focusing on what we feel, we need to follow Paul's advice and focus on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence or worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). My dad used to always tell me, the feelings are the caboose of your life. They are not the driving engine. Just the caboose. No one puts the caboose first when trying to run a train, and we should not put our feelings first when trying to run our lives.

Second, we need to remind ourselves of what we know to be true. The Psalmist calls out to the Lord, "let me hear your loving kindness... for I trust in You... to You I lift up my Soul... I take refuge in you" (vs. 8-9). When you feel like you are falling into the pit, remember what you know to be true. You are not alone, and He is with you! (Psalm 139... READ IT :o)

Third, we need to call out on our Heavenly Father for help. We need to ask for Him to teach us the way in which we should walk (vs. 8), teach us to do His will (vs. 10), ask His Spirit to lead us on level ground (vs.10), and ask Him to revive us (vs.11). The Lord promises us in His word that if we ask anything according to His will He will do it (1 John 5:14-15). Believe this promise!

Finally, we need to start walking. The Psalmist ends this prayer with "For I am your servant" (vs. 12). He doesn't dwell in the pit. He praises the Lord, He calls out to the Lord for Help, and He starts living out His life in submission and service to the Lord. It may take awhile for your feelings to change. Feelings typically don't magically get better. They always follow actions! Just start walking in faith, and before you know it, your feelings will change! Your heart will be singing and your step will be lighter!

As mentioned earlier, I am coming out of a dry season. For the past few weeks I have felt depressed, overwhelmed, and just struggled to make it through each day. I know feeling like this is not God's plan for me (John 10:10). However, the choice to get out is mine. I must choose to call out to the one who CAN and WILL pull me out of the pit. If you feel like me, why don't we start calling out together?

Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

John 10:1-10 (Click on text to read Scripture)

I don't mean to attack us females, but let us be real... We can be especially bad about excusing spiritual attacks against us as emotions, mood swings, just feeling depressed, hormones, etc. However, anything that comes against you that is not the voice of the Father, is a lie! We must learn to recognize his voice and fight back against the thief.

Satan is tricky. He never walks in through the door (vs.1,5) - or sets out to attack us in the most blatant way. (Although often we leave a door of attack wide open for him to prance into by what we fill our minds with). So often we hear the voice, "you're not good enough, you're not pretty enough, you better watch your weight or those you love will no longer love you, you are not talented enough to do anything really great for God, your house is not big enough or beautiful enough to show hospitality to others, you're not desirable enough for someone to ever choose to marry you, etc." I could go on and on. Satan is tricky because he has women hearing these lies, following his voice, and dwelling on things that do not belong. We are not just having a bad day, being a little hormonal, or overly emotional. We are being attacked at the very core of who God made us to be: His beautiful daughter, His princess, the crown of creation, made in the very likeness of the Father and on whom He lavishes His love (1 John 3:1).

God knows you personally and loves you intimately. God calls you by name. God speaks comfort to you. It is important that we, as His sheep, learn the voice of our shepherd (vs. 2-4). "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, but I have come that they may have life and life to the full! (vs. 10). THIS is God's will for you! To hear His voice, to dwell on His truth and to live life to the max! By listening to the lies of Satan we can truly be missing out on following God's voice to achieve His great purpose for our lives, and to lead us to the blessings He has prepared for us.

The sheep followed the shepherd... who are you following?