Doing the Right Thing, Even When You Don’t “Feel” Like It

I don’t know about you, but some days my “feelings” are all over the place. Maybe it’s because I’m now in my mid-forties (hello, perimenopause). Maybe it’s because I am in a season of constant changes: my children growing into adulthood then leaving home and getting married, losing both of my parents, plus hormone and health changes. Some days I feel like a strong woman of God. I know my purpose, my worth and my calling. Other days I think, “What in the world am I doing? I can’t seem to do anything right! Does God have a plan for me in this season?” I don’t “feel” like reading my Bible. I don’t “feel” close to God. I don’t “feel” like honoring my husband and being patient with my children. Some days I don’t even “feel” like getting out of bed!

I have been extremely blessed for the last 15 years to work with teens in our youth department at church. More specifically, the last several years I’ve taught senior girls. I frequently meet with these young women who are in a very uncertain time of their lives. We talk about the future and decisions they must make. I find that the very same things I struggle with, they are struggling with as well: fear, uncertainty, feelings of inadequacy and questions about the future. Big feelings and emotions accompany all of these questions, and it’s hard sometimes to know how to advise them. In these moments, I try to remind these precious young women of two main things that I have to remind myself of when my “feelings” are pulling me in opposite directions:

1.God’s Word is true and can be trusted. (Isaiah 40:8, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Psalms 119:160

The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

2. “Feelings” can’t always be trusted; they are constantly changing. (Proverbs 28:26, Jeremiah 17:9 and Hebrews 3:12)

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

No matter how we “feel,” we must learn to seek the Lord and turn over our “feelings” to Him. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” God already knows our struggles. He is not offended by our doubts and fears. He knows we are flesh, and He has great compassion for us.

Psalms 103:13-14

As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

When I don’t “feel” like reading my Bible, what I should do? Pray and ask God to give me a love and desire for his Word. Then, read my Bible, even when I don’t “feel” like it.

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in my word,

you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the

truth shall make you free.

When I don’t “feel” close to God, what I should do? Pray and ask God to help me to feel His presence and trust that He is with me. Then, I remember that God’s Word says He is always near me, even when I don’t “feel” like it.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

When I don’t “feel” like getting out of bed and facing the day, what should I do? Pray and ask God to give me motivation for the day. Then, I get up, make my bed, take a shower and remind myself that God has a plan and purpose for my life even when I don’t “feel” like it.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

No matter if you’re a senior in high school, a woman in her mid-forties, or a senior saint, remember we all struggle in our own way and sometimes our “feelings” will lead us to believe everything is wrong in our lives, and we don’t know which way to turn. Please remember, dear sister, that God loves you! God is with you! God has a plan for you! You might not be able to trust your feelings, but you can trust God. When you don’t know what to do, start by doing what you know to be right based on the truths you find in God’s Word. Do not rely on your own feelings and understanding of how things are. God will show you the way if you’ll trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.

Prayer Points:

• Lord, give me a love and a desire for Your Word so that I can saturate my mind with Truth. Help me to trust Your Word over my feelings.

• God, help me to feel your presence and trust that You are with me.

• Father, give me motivation for the day, knowing you have a purpose for my life.

Lord God, I thank You for Your Word. I thank You for Your goodness and Your compassion on me. I know You are with me, even when I can’t feel it. Help me to trust in You. Help me to follow You in a dark and uncertain world. Please forgive me when I doubt Your goodness, or when I believe the lies of the enemy that tell me that I am not good enough. Help me to be a strong woman of God who follows and obeys You. Help me to “work the work of Him who sent me while it is day” because I know “the night comes when no man can work.” I love you, God, and give my life completely to You to do with as You will. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jessica Taylor

Flourish Women’s Ministry

Mid-Way Baptist Church