Faith And Feeling: Are They Intertwined?

Faith and feelings are two very different things. Faith is not a feeling, but rather something that can be present regardless of how we feel. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is taking God at His word and choosing to believe God's promises over our own personal feelings. It is an action, not an emotion. On the other hand, feelings are fickle and easily influenced by people and circumstances. They are not always trustworthy and can be detrimental if we let them dictate our actions. We should not live by our feelings but by faith.

Faith is not a feeling

Faith is about taking God at His word, choosing to believe God's promises over our own personal feelings. It is about trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding. It is about walking by faith and not by sight, about choosing to obey God's commands even when our feelings tell us otherwise.

Feelings are fickle and uncertain. They are easily influenced and changed by people, circumstances, and sin. They are not a solid foundation to build our lives on. But when we choose to put our faith in God, we are choosing to put our trust in something unchanging, perfect, and eternal.

The Bible is full of examples of people who lived by faith and not by sight. Noah built an ark even though he had never seen rain before. Abraham left his home and obeyed God's command to go to a new land, even though he didn't know where he was going. These were not easy choices, but they chose to trust God even when their feelings may have been telling them otherwise.

So, when we feel uncertain or when our feelings don't line up with what we know to be true, we can choose to put our faith in God. We can choose to believe His promises, to trust in His character, and to obey His commands. We can choose to walk by faith and not by sight.

Faith is believing in the unseen

Faith is often described as a feeling, but it is more accurately defined as a choice to believe in something that cannot be seen or proven. It is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen". This means that faith is not based on physical or tangible evidence, but rather on a deep-rooted conviction and trust in something greater than ourselves.

Faith is often associated with religion and spirituality. For example, in Christianity, faith is a fundamental aspect of one's relationship with God. It involves choosing to believe in God's existence and the truth of the Bible, even though these things cannot be proven through physical senses or scientific means. This type of faith is an act of trust and commitment, where individuals choose to follow God's word and commands, regardless of their personal feelings or circumstances.

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who walked by faith, such as Noah, who built an ark despite living in a world of pagans and facing ridicule. Similarly, Abraham demonstrated his faith by obeying God's command to leave his familiar surroundings and journey to an unknown land. These individuals chose to put their trust in God's word, even when their feelings and circumstances might have suggested otherwise.

In daily life, it is common for people to make decisions based on their feelings. However, faith calls for something deeper and more enduring. It requires a commitment to believe and trust in something greater, even when emotions or circumstances seem to contradict it. This is the essence of "believing in the unseen".

While feelings can be influential and ever-changing, faith provides a solid foundation for individuals to stand on. It is a choice to believe and trust in something beyond what can be seen, touched, or fully understood. This type of faith can bring peace and hope, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenging circumstances. It is a choice to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in the unseen and eternal rather than the temporary and fleeting.

Faith is taking God at His word

Faith is not a feeling. It is an action, a choice to take God at His word.

In the Bible, Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This means that faith is about having confidence in God's promises, even when we cannot see or experience them with our physical senses. It is about choosing to believe and trust in God's word, regardless of our emotions or circumstances.

Our feelings can be influenced by many things and can change easily. They are not always reliable. However, God's word is constant and unchanging. When we have faith, we are choosing to put our trust in God's word rather than our ever-changing feelings.

The book of Hebrews in the Bible gives examples of people who lived by faith, such as Noah, who built an ark because God told him a flood was coming. Noah's faith in God's word propelled him forward, even though he may have had fears or doubts.

Having faith means choosing to believe God's promises over our personal feelings. It is about taking God at His word and obeying His commands, just as Noah did. This is what it means to have great faith.

Faith is not blind, it is informed by God's word

Faith is not a feeling, and it is also not blind. It is an informed choice, a decision to trust in God and His Word, even when our feelings may contradict it. As believers, we are called to live by faith, but often we allow our feelings to dictate our actions, thoughts, and decisions. Our feelings are fickle and easily influenced by people, circumstances, and sin. They are not a reliable foundation.

So, what is faith then? Faith is taking God at His Word. It is choosing to believe and trust in what God has said, regardless of how we feel. It is a deliberate act of the will, choosing to obey and follow God, even when our emotions are not in alignment.

In Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "faith hall of fame," we see examples of individuals who walked by faith and not by sight. Noah, for instance, trusted God and built the ark even when he couldn't see the rain that was coming. Abraham and Sarah believed God's promise of a child, even though their circumstances seemed to contradict it. These individuals chose to take God at His Word, and their faith was counted as righteousness.

Similarly, in Luke 7, Jesus commends the centurion for his great faith, simply because he took Jesus at His Word. The centurion believed that Jesus could heal his servant, and he did not doubt but trusted in Jesus' authority.

Faith, therefore, is not blind but is firmly grounded in the truth of God's Word. It is a choice to believe and obey, even when our feelings may tell us otherwise. It is a decision to trust in the character and promises of God, who is unchanging, perfect, and eternal.

When our feelings contradict our faith, we can choose to say "no" to those feelings and instead stand firm on the truth of Scripture. We can choose to believe that God's Word is truer than how we feel. This is the essence of walking by faith and not by sight—choosing to follow God even when we cannot see the outcome.

As we spend time in God's Word and get to know Him, our faith will deepen. Our relationship with Him will grow, and we will find ourselves more able to trust and obey, regardless of our feelings. So, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and choose to walk by faith and not by sight.

Faith is a choice

Faith is not a feeling. It is a choice to believe and trust in God and His Word, regardless of our emotional state or circumstances. As Christians, our faith should be based fully and completely on Jesus, His death, and resurrection, rather than our feelings or what we can see.

Faith is choosing to take God at His Word. It is having "full and complete confidence in Who God is, what He has said in His Word, and in His promises given". This means that even when we don't feel His presence or understand His ways, we choose to believe that God's Word is true and reliable.

Faith involves trusting that God is in control, even when life's tragedies and challenges occur. It is choosing to believe God's promises over our own feelings and personal circumstances. This means that even when we don't feel accepted or loved by God, we choose to trust that He accepts and loves us as His children.

Faith is not just about believing and trusting, but also about obedience and action. It involves choosing to live according to God's Word and allowing it to guide our decisions, actions, words, and thoughts, rather than our feelings. This means that even when we don't feel like obeying or don't understand why God is asking us to do something, we choose to obey because we trust that He knows what is best for us.

Faith is a journey and a process. It involves spending time with God, getting to know Him, and allowing our relationship with Him to deepen. As we spend time in His Word and in prayer, our faith grows, and we are better able to choose faith over feelings.

Choosing faith over feelings is not always easy. It requires perseverance and discipline. There will be times when our feelings contradict God's Word, and we will be tempted to give up or doubt. However, if we continue to choose faith, God will honour that choice and help us to grow in our faith.

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