Beliefs Bigger Than Feelings

​
​It was after my second divorce when I began to understand the difference between feelings and beliefs. I had spent a lovely spring morning out on my little screened porch. However, coming back into the kitchen, I had way too many things in my arms. Bumping the door and juggling my load, a single index card slid out and floated to the floor.
 
In my handwriting, and in God’s voice, I read, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is perfected in your weakness.”
 
Bam. I was on my knees. My feelings were exposed. My beliefs were challenged. 

Sometimes we have those moments, because of a scripture or a song. Suddenly, we get what God has been trying to tell us. The big life lesson hits and (cue the mental head-slap) we get it.
 
That was my moment, one of the first ones. Enough was enough. My feelings had been in the driver’s seat of my life for too long, and every storm seemed to wipe me out. God was calling me to marry my feelings to my beliefs so that I could live the abundant life He created for me.
 
The story in Deuteronomy 7 describes Israel in the wilderness, preparing to head into new territory. It was a new season. They had reached their destiny. God gave them instructions for living in this new land. He was helping them to stay safe, and to walk out His divine plan. He knew what challenges they would face and addressed them before they ever stepped foot on the land. 
 
God knows our propensity to be driven by our feelings. He knew Israel would face things that would draw their hearts away from Him. He knows the same is true for you and me. One of the most understated dynamics of our walk is the impact our feelings have on our faith. Feelings are real, but they are not necessarily reality.The truth is our feelings don’t always line up with our beliefs. We look around us and begin to compare ourselves, wanting the things others have.
 
God always has a simple process, though it may be hard and make us uncomfortable (especially when it comes to our emotions). But it’s always simple. He speaks to our beliefs about our identity to help us manage our emotions. He reminds us who we are, so that our feelings can get behind our beliefs. This is how he spoke to the Israelites, before they entered the Promised Land. This is how we, too, live in our Promised Land.
 
There are four beliefs that stand out to me in Deuteronomy 7:6-7:

1. We are holy. Not perfect, but set apart. We are not called to be like the world. We are set apart to the Lord.
2. We are chosen. The Lord God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, chose you.
3. We are His. He ransomed us, and we belong to Him.
4. He did all this, not because we are amazing, but because He loves us.

 
These four beliefs can remind us about our identity, when our emotions are running rampant.

What are your feelings driving at today? Ask God what feelings you have that aren’t married to your beliefs. Let Him highlight the one He’s working on. Ask Him what you’re believing that this feeling needs to get behind. Let God remind you that you are holy, chosen, His, and loved. 

---

About the Author

Hi! I'm Anne Say. My husband and I have a blended family of five adult children (five sons and daughters-in-love), and nine grandchildren! I am a retired teacher (and former office manager). These days I get to combine all of my experience into helping people make sense of life and faith. God has called me to people who are stuck in their faith and who've lost their sense of identity. I help people make sense of the past, see clearly in the present, and catch a vision for the future.

​Connect with Anne at her website, www.annebsay.com