Feelings or Faith
Meg
"He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged: 'There was a judge in one town who didn't fear God or respect man. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, "Give me justice against my adversary."
For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or respect man, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming."'
Then the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help] them? I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?'" (Luke 18: 1-8, HCSB).
I love my church. Every week our pastor speaks straight from scripture and straight into my heart. I spend the service scribbling notes down as fast as I can, attempting to take the words spoken to heart.
This Sunday was no different. Pastor Jim was speaking out of Luck 18. He reminded us that we are walking in a wilderness, much like the Israelites. As Christians, the life we face here on earth is anything but easy. Sadness, sickness, hardships, persecutions—life here on earth isn’t the slightest bit easy.
Because of this, it’s important to stay in communion with God. It’s important to pray and let Him take control of all of our worries and cares. Just like the woman in Luke 18, who prayed with perseverance, it’s important that we remain faithful and believe that God truly will come through on our behalf. Pastor Jim said, “God is calling you to exercise your faith (not feelings) and pray without ceasing.”
Ouch.
As an emotional female I tend to focus on my feelings. I focus on how lonely this deployment will be. I focus on my feelings of hurt and frustration. I focus inward.
But God has called me to more than this. He has called me to persevere. He has called me to a life lived victoriously, free of worry and strife. In order to live a life such of this, I have to give up my own “feelings” and instead, live by faith, trusting that He will provide.
Will you live a life of feelings or faith today?
For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or respect man, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming."'
Then the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help] them? I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?'" (Luke 18: 1-8, HCSB).
I love my church. Every week our pastor speaks straight from scripture and straight into my heart. I spend the service scribbling notes down as fast as I can, attempting to take the words spoken to heart.
This Sunday was no different. Pastor Jim was speaking out of Luck 18. He reminded us that we are walking in a wilderness, much like the Israelites. As Christians, the life we face here on earth is anything but easy. Sadness, sickness, hardships, persecutions—life here on earth isn’t the slightest bit easy.
Because of this, it’s important to stay in communion with God. It’s important to pray and let Him take control of all of our worries and cares. Just like the woman in Luke 18, who prayed with perseverance, it’s important that we remain faithful and believe that God truly will come through on our behalf. Pastor Jim said, “God is calling you to exercise your faith (not feelings) and pray without ceasing.”
Ouch.
As an emotional female I tend to focus on my feelings. I focus on how lonely this deployment will be. I focus on my feelings of hurt and frustration. I focus inward.
But God has called me to more than this. He has called me to persevere. He has called me to a life lived victoriously, free of worry and strife. In order to live a life such of this, I have to give up my own “feelings” and instead, live by faith, trusting that He will provide.
Will you live a life of feelings or faith today?