Feelings

Many times we equate feelings with faith. However, this isn’t an accurate expression of our faith. Faith doesn’t mean I’ll always feel my best. Faith means believing even when things are bad. Our faith is stronger when we are experiencing a tough situation. In our depression our faith is what gets us through to another day. In our anxiety our faith keeps us going. In our addiction our faith turns us toward Jesus. In his book Depression: Looking Up From The Stubborn Darkness, Edward T. Welch writes, “Feelings don’t define faith. Instead, faith is simply turning to the Lord” (Pg 46). When do we most likely turn to the Lord? In our depression, anxiety, addiction, and all other bad situations we might find ourselves in. Our despair, our tough situation where we turn to Jesus, this is what defines our faith.

When things get tough, where do we run? Hopefully Jesus. We tend to spend more time in prayer during rough patches than we do when things are going good. Feelings aren’t an accurate definition of faith. An accurate definition of faith is when we turn to Jesus, not only in the valley, but on the mountaintop. Our faith speaks louder when we are praising Jesus when things aren’t going our way. When life is falling apart our faith will be on display. The chorus of “I’ve Just Seen Too Much” by Big Daddy Weave tells us a lot about faith. The words, in my opinion, speak volumes about real faith. It’s says:

If you ask me how I know, I know He's real. I could believe that He's still with me. In spite of how it feels. If you ask me why I trust Him when it feels like everything has come undone. All I can tell you is I've just seen too much.

Faith isn’t about feelings. It’s about trust. Trust in Jesus. Even when it feels like everything has come undone.