Navigating Life with Unshakable Faith: A Journey Beyond Emotions

We all experience emotions because we are part of the human race. However, I emphasize the importance of rationality. It's not advisable to let your entire life be controlled solely by your emotions. Many individuals depend solely on their emotions, but it's crucial to also consider facts, biblical promises. You find salvation in truth, in the promises of God's word, and in the redemption provided by Jesus on the cross.

You accept what Jesus did for you by faith and by faith alone. This aligns with the scriptural teaching found in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast." In this context, feelings don't play a central role in the decision to receive Christ or believe in His promises.

Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." It emphasizes that faith is rooted in hearing and believing God's Word rather than relying solely on emotions. Feelings, according to the Bible, are not the primary factor in this process.

You are saved through faith based on the promises and the moment you accept what Jesus did for you. When you accept His pardon, it is a decisive act, supported by the truth of God's Word. As 1 John 1:9 clearly states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."

This emphasizes that the very moment you confess and speak the Word, irrespective of whether feelings are involved, the forgiveness, the salvation, whatever the Word says is granted according to the promise of God. It's not dependent on emotions but on your faith and God's faithfulness.

We all know individuals who, when they wake up in the morning feeling unwell or after a restless night's sleep, are quick to doubt their faith. They might be convinced that God has abandoned them, causing them to question the validity of the Bible. In these moments, it's as if all their spiritual strength has evaporated overnight, leaving them like a deflated balloon. Consequently, they go through the day in a despondent state, feeling utterly useless, even in their relationship with God.

These types of individuals, when faced with life's irritations and challenges, resort to constant complaining, whining, and moaning, which can be quite draining for those around them. These individuals seem to absorb every negative experience like a pin cushion, allowing every minor irritation to hurt them deeply. In such moments, one may wonder about the presence of faith and whether they are truly relying on God and His promises.

Scripturally, we can turn to Philippians 4:6-7, which advises, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage encourages believers to turn to prayer and thanksgiving in challenging times, rather than constantly dwelling on complaints.

Furthermore, James 1:2-3 reminds us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining faith and joy even in the face of trials, rather than letting irritations and complaints take precedence.

Therefore, it's crucial to encourage a perspective aligned with faith in God's promises, rather than dwelling on constant complaints and negativity.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "I look to Jesus,' and as I heeded those words, the dove of peace found a dwelling in my heart. But when my gaze shifted elsewhere, that gentle dove of peace, like a fleeting breeze, took flight." It serves as a poignant reminder of the need to keep our focus firmly fixed upon Jesus for lasting peace.

This experience closely mirrors the wisdom found in Isaiah 26:3, which reminds us that God promises perfect peace to those whose minds remain steadfast because they trust in Him. Therefore, Spurgeon's timeless words echo as a poignant reminder, urging us to keep our unwavering focus on Jesus. In doing so, we can find the enduring and unshakable peace that we all seek, just as Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Faith isn't a tangible object that you can carry in your pocket, examining and handling as you please. It's not like a physical item that you take out, scrutinize, and then return to its place. Likewise, salvation isn't a concept you can stow away, periodically retrieving and reviewing at will. Instead, both faith and salvation are dynamic, transformative aspects of life itself. They're not passive relics but active, life-altering forces.

Consider, for example, a seed planted in fertile soil. Faith is not the seed lying dormant in a pocket; it's the growing, thriving plant that emerges from the ground, continuously reaching toward the sun. Salvation is not a ticket you occasionally take out and examine; it's the ongoing journey of transformation, marked by spiritual growth and a deepening relationship with God.

Furthermore, faith is not a mere intellectual agreement with a set of beliefs, like a library book you check out and return. It's more akin to a loving, enduring relationship with Christ, where trust, commitment, and obedience are continually expressed. It's a dynamic, ongoing relationship with Christ, characterized by trust, unwavering commitment, and continual obedience.

Much like our senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste, faith is another dimension of how we experience and engage with the world around us. It's an extension of our very existence, shaping our actions and reactions in ways we may not always consciously recognize.

Consider, for a moment, the countless examples of faith we employ every day, often without even realizing it:

• Every Step You Take: When you get out of bed in the morning and take that first step, you do so with faith that the floor will support your weight. You trust that it won't suddenly give way beneath you. This faith is not solely reliant on sight because, even though you have seen the floor and assume it's still in place, it still requires trust and belief.

• Driving: When you start your car and navigate through traffic, you have faith in the engineering of your vehicle and the skills of other drivers on the road. While most of us may not fully understand how all the components work, our faith assures us that they will function as intended.

• Communication: When you pick up your phone to make a call or send a message, you have faith that the technology and networks will facilitate the connection even though you don't see them.

• Friendships and Relationships: Building and maintaining relationships require faith in the people around you, trusting that they'll reciprocate your feelings and commitment.

• Natural Phenomena: Even our understanding of the natural world operates on faith. We trust that the sun will rise each morning and that the laws of physics will remain constant.

In essence, whether we consciously acknowledge it or not, we use faith all day, every day. It's the undercurrent of our existence, the silent force that propels us forward. We place our trust in countless aspects of life, relying on them to work as expected, even when we can't see or fully comprehend the inner workings.

This ongoing exercise of faith in the everyday serves as a poignant reminder of the deeper spiritual faith we have in Christ. Just as we trust in these everyday aspects of life, we can place our faith in Him to guide us, provide for us, and offer us eternal salvation. Our relationship with Christ is, in fact, the pinnacle of faith, an unwavering trust in the One who is the source of all life and meaning.

So, whether it's the trust in a chair to hold you up, a car to get you to work, or a friend to be there for you, let these everyday acts of faith be a reflection and a reminder of the profound spiritual faith we can have in Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Experiencing the Holy Spirit goes beyond a brief, intense encounter lasting for 5 or 15 minutes. It's a profound spiritual reality that can be better understood as entering into a victorious life through simple faith, unaccompanied by momentary ecstasies or fleeting feelings. It's important to emphasize that the absence of thrilling experiences or ecstatic feelings doesn't signify that Jesus has abandoned us or that we are alone in our faith journey.

To illustrate this, think of instructing a child to perform essential tasks like cleaning their room, brushing their teeth, or taking a bath. We don't teach our children to wait around until they "feel like it." Instead, we emphasize the importance of obedience based on authority and the knowledge that as parents, we know what is best for them. Children learn that these actions are necessary for their well-being, irrespective of their immediate feelings.

Similarly, in our faith journey, we can look to Scripture for guidance. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is about trusting in God's promises and His authority over our lives, even when we don't always feel the emotional intensity or ecstatic moments. We surrender to His Word. Just as a child obeys their parents because they trust their wisdom and authority, we can trust God's authority and walk in obedience, knowing that His plan for us is always for our good, even when our feelings may not align with it.

So, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not contingent on fleeting emotions or experiences but rooted in steadfast faith and trust in God's guidance and authority over our lives.

In our journey of faith, God calls us to a profound understanding: to place our trust in Him and His unwavering Word, above all else, even our fleeting feelings. Our challenge is not to trust our emotions, but to trust the unchanging fact of His promises.

Let us align our lives in this order: fact, faith, and then feelings. In doing so, we steer away from a defeated Christian life and step into the victorious path of surrender, where we discover the profound and enduring peace that only God can provide. It's time to question our current state of faith, to desire a deeper connection with our Creator, and to surrender it all, for in that surrender, we find true victory.

Faith can look like a lot of things. Sometimes, it looks this: Imagine yourself in the midst of a challenging battle against sickness. Despite feeling weak and vulnerable, you choose to speak God's Word over your situation. Throughout the day, you repeat His promises, even when your emotions don't align with them.

"I shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord," you declare, echoing Psalm 118:17. Though your body may be a battleground of discomfort, you persistently speak these words of faith, trusting in God's healing power.

As the day progresses, a remarkable transformation unfolds. Your words, initially spoken in faith even when you couldn't feel their truth, begin to align with your heart's conviction. Your faith grows stronger, and a sense of hope and healing permeates your being.

The Bible teaches us in Hebrews 11:6, "And 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." This verse underscores the significance of faith in our relationship with God. Faith is the foundation of our connection with Him, as it involves believing in His existence and trusting in His promises. It is through faith that we approach God, seeking His guidance, grace, and favor.

In essence, faith is the key that unlocks the door to a pleasing and meaningful relationship with God. It is the starting point of our journey toward understanding, knowing, and pleasing Him. So, as we navigate life's challenges and joys, let our faith be the guiding light that leads us closer to the One who delights in our trust and devotion.

This truth is vividly illustrated in 2 Corinthians 5:7: "For we live by faith, not by sight." In your journey, you live by faith, not by the physical symptoms you may see or feel. And as you persist in speaking God's Word, your faith increases, paving the way for the healing you so earnestly desire. In both cases, faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with God and the driving force behind our spiritual journey.

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com