Feelings & Faithfulness

by Emily
from Virtuous Daughters, March 2013~Volume 12, Number 13

What do you think of when you picture a faithful person? The thought comes to mind of one who continually goes on doing what is good and right, in spite of difficulties or trials. The Webster’s 1828 dictionary describes faithfulness as
“Firm in adherence to the truth and
to the duties of religion; firmly adhering to duty;
of true fidelity; loyal; constant; not fickle.” 

A faithful person would steadily and constantly obey, serve, love and glorify Christ, on good days and bad days...whether they “felt” like it or not. Of course, faithfulness is a character quality that we all want to develop and practice in our lives, for it is indeed a beautiful trait to possess! Consider now, however, one thing that may be a common stumbling block as we seek to be faithful: our feelings.

How many times do we do something, or not do something, based on how we might feel about it? Sometimes our feelings coincide with being faithful, but other times they certainly don’t. We don’t want to follow our feelings when they clearly contradict our duty or the Scriptures! Think about the following real life examples, that could happen in my everyday life, and maybe you can relate to one or more of them: I could feel like sleeping longer...so I stay in bed too late. I could feel impatient...and be irritable with my siblings. I could feel like reading instead of working...and let someone else do work that I should help with. It wouldn’t be a good idea to let these feelings rule my life! To do so would not help me be a faithful daughter and sister.

Following our feelings could prove to be a disaster in our spiritual lives as well. Sometimes people will say they “feel” something is God’s will for them, when it clearly contradicts Scripture. Yet through the Bible we know that God won’t lead someone in a way that goes against His Word! Perhaps someone doesn’t “feel” like reading their Bible or praying...so they skip a day of quiet time with the Lord. Or maybe we “feel” afraid to witness to others about the Lord...so we let opportunities to do so pass us by. Sometimes Christians might not “feel” like they are forgiven...but if they are truly saved, it doesn’t matter what we “feel” about it, for God’s Word and His promises are a higher authority than our changing feelings. It is easy to see that if we always followed our feelings, we wouldn’t always be living as a faithful Christian.

Sometimes our feelings may be “good” ones: we feel like helping, being kind, or working hard. This makes it easier to do the right thing. Sometimes, though, our feelings don’t quite match with what we know is right. This is when we need to override or ignore those feelings and faithfully continue on! Since always following our feelings would result in very unstable life, we should build our lives on Jesus Christ, Who is a sure foundation! Feelings change; Christ doesn’t. Building our lives on Christ and learning to walk in His ways is a much better way to achieve faithful living.

As we seek to become faithful in all areas of our lives, let’s remember that we don’t have to try for this alone. Rather, we can go to Christ for the strength to follow Him faithfully! Hebrews 4:16 makes this clear: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” In Revelation 19:11, Jesus is called “Faithful and True.” He wants us to follow His example of faithfulness; He will help us to be faithful! As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The following poem by an unknown author was in my high school literature book. Its message has been a blessing to me, and I’d like to share it with you here, in closing:

For feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever;
For though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever.
(author unknown)