PrillyCharmin: FAITH OVER FEELINGS

FAITH OVER FEELINGS
By Joni Eareckson Tada

“Praise the Lord; my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1

Sometimes you just have to tell your emotions to get in line! And I will be the first to say that my emotions can be the most unruly, disobedient passions.

Our feelings try to demand center stage, as though they run the show, trying to dictate everything, don’t they? Well, you know what? They don’t! Emotions are only a part of who we are—they’re not everything. And so, I often tell my feelings to get with the program! God gives that program in Ephesians 5:20, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Right there, God commands us to give thanks. Yes, using Scripture is a great way to talk your emotions down from the ledge.

But what if you still don’t feel thankful, even during Thanksgiving? Well, years ago, after my spinal cord injury, I felt that way. Facing a life of total paralysis, I was anything but thankful. But I also knew that if my emotions ran the show—if they got their way—I’d be on a path to total despair. Utter depression. Somehow, someway I had to get my feelings in line. And that’s when a friend showed me 2 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Now I could not imagine doing that, because I did not feel thankful. But my friend wisely said, “Joni, God’s not asking you to feel thankful. Just give thanks in whatever way you can.”

I resisted at first. I guess you could say my feelings resisted. But then I decided to choose. I got my will involved and started to exercise faith. I actually started to do what God’s Word was commanding me to do: give thanks. Then and there, I started mouthing gratitude to God for small things.

And to make sure my emotions got the picture, I thanked God out loud. I’d say, “Lord, I thank You for my wheelchair.” I would sit up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, “Lord, I thank You that I am not limited to staying in bed today.” And there were other things like, “Lord, thank You that I have helpers. And thank You for Ken!”

Basically, I chose to believe God and His Word. If God commanded it and Ephesians chapter five told me to do it? Well, then I would do it. I knew my only salvation—my only way out of depression—was to invite God to take control. “Lord, You shape my emotions. You command my feelings. You run the show.”

And guess what? Over time, it was like God rewarded my faith with the emotion of thankfulness. Faith first, and then came trustful feelings. And once my feelings got in line, once they yielded to faith, then I was able to thank God for greater things, more things, bigger things… and that’s when life changed. It really changed when I was able to not only thank God, but even rejoice in suffering.

It took time to get there, but Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Friend, God rewards your faith. And often that reward comes in the form of new emotions, righteous passions, and hope-filled feelings. So, if you do not feel grateful for your hardships, side-step your feelings and step out in faith. Act on God’s Word. Give thanks for small things, and your wayward emotions will eventually catch up. That’s my encouragement to you today as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Extend your faith first, and then your feelings will catch up. And as you prepare your heart, mind, and soul for this very special time of Thanksgiving, remember: I am thankful for you!

What can you thank Jesus for today? Write your own prayer of thanksgiving, knowing that God will reward your faith.