Nevermind Those Pesky Feelings-2011 is Gonna Be Grand, Darlings!

Isaiah 49
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands

We are commanded to love GOD, to keep his commandments to obey his directives. But what happens when your feelings get in the way of and even work to thwart your compliance?

It is essential that we figure out a way to battle certain feelings especially those feelings that cause us to act contrary to God’s law.

Where do these feelings emanate? How can they be overcome?

Let’s start with a few basic truths about feelings.

1. Feelings are essential to Christians. Recall that God commands us to love him with all of our hearts, our minds and our soul. When we read his word, when we confront his great works in nature, science and the heavens, we are moved. We FEEL awe, wonder, joy.
2. Feelings cannot be created or commanded. You cannot conjure a genuine feeling. And really, the more you try, the more miserable you may become.
3. Feelings change because they are based on variables that change from day to day moment to moment. Physical conditions affect us. Hurtful comments affect us. Lack of money or over abundance affects us. Encounters with certain people affect us. The “mean reds” can creep in for no apparent reason. Yesterday you may have been perfectly content only to find that this morning, you are despondent.

Because feelings ebb and flow, we must not allow them to control us.

Instead we must seize control!

HOW?

1. REJOICE.

We are commanded to REJOICE. (But, notice “rejoice” does not mean “be happy.”) You can not conjure up happiness at will. But you can make yourself REJOICE.

Phillipeans 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

So put on a praise song and PRAISE HIM! Regardless of your circumstances. REJOICE in the Lord for something, for everything. Dance and sing until your spirit lifts.


2. STIR UP THE GIFT

2 Timothy 1:6
For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

When that dastardly mood descends, initiate a dialog with your fabulous self.

Say to yourself, "DARLING, I am not going to allow you to descend into that pit today." Remind yourself of who you are, what you are and to whom you belong. Then get outside and take in the sights and sounds of the most perfect Creator.


3. BELIEVE

Acts 16:31
They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.'

Remember his promises. You may not be able to make yourself happy, but you can remind yourself of your belief in a God who can do ANYTHING. This is where all those bible stories come in handy. Remember how Jesus raised Lazarus? Remember Jacob wrestling all night with the pre-incarnate Christ? Remember the promises of God never to leave us. Remember that he sent a Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us to comfort us. Remember that he has prepared a place for us. Remember that we see through a glass darkly on this side but it will be revealed in God’s time.

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you.

Do not worry about your feelings.

Blessed (truly happy) are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness- not happiness.

Do not continue to seek thrills. Instead seek to be more like Jesus. Seek to live righteously. Seek to be holy.

Go directly to God and seek His face. Dive into his word and search for His truth. The revelation thwarts feelings of despair.

AND PLEASE REMEMBER THIS:

Isaiah 49
“I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”

As you approach a new year, don’t dwell on the past-past feelings, past failures, suffering, loss. Instead, leave those feelings of negativity buried in 2010.

Go boldly forward into 2011 remembering that GOD holds the new year in HIS HANDS in trust for us.

If you commit to doing things HIS way, He will guide you one day at a time. HE PROMISED, Darlings.

REFERENCE:
Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Its Cure by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
fantabulous book....