“Faith Matters!”
There is a significant difference between feelings and faith in a believer's journey. It's natural to face challenges that may tempt us to rely on our emotions, but in my experience, developing faith requires trust in God and His word. At times, you may questions how to trust God or how to become a person of faith. However, the answer lies in prayer and believing in the word of God, regardless of what your circumstances or environment may suggest.
Word of wisdom: you can not rely on your emotions; feelings can fluctuate when faced with opposition. Sometimes, you think that you have to decide out of those feelings you’re going through or what you’re experiencing; I have learned over the years to step back, take a breath, and consider the situation. And ask myself, is it urgent? Do I need to decide now, or can it wait? But most of all, I pray.
God will put you in a situation where you must depend on faith and believe that what he has spoken is true regardless of feelings and what people say to you. So you have to choose: will I rely on my feelings, or will I have faith in the word and what God has instructed me to do?
In 2008, I turned fifty; this was my year of jubilee. But I'm going through a separation from my husband; my mom had just passed away unexpectedly, and my oldest son was moving out of state. Can you imagine your home being full of laughter and joy one day and the next nothing but quietness? I couldn’t understand what was happening. All my feelings and emotions were on high alert, but the Lord gave me a word, a word that would carry me for the next two years.
On the day my husband walked out the door, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, it’s not over! In six months, you will see him again. I could not see that happening. I saw the situation from the eyes of hurt, disappointment, and rejection. I can’t count the many nights I felt alone and abandoned. But through all the pain and negative feelings, I held my faith; it was a lifeline. When God gives you a word, you must water it with faith. I got busy with life and focused my attention on other things. In the process, I returned to school full-time, registered into community college, received my AA, went on to Azusa Pacific University, and received a BA in Education.
My husband showed up six months later. My first words were, ‘Wow, Lord, your word is accurate.’ I did not allow my feelings to get in the way or make significant decisions above my faith in God. My husband and I communicated from time to time. I did not move ahead of God or try to change the narrative. Oh! I wanted to intervene but had to trust the process. 2 Corinthian 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (KJV) also became my daily confession.
It’s been 24 years now and we are happily continuing our marriage! God is faithful to his word, it will never return to him void. Isaiah 55:11 says “So shall my word be the goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that whish I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (KVJ). I had leaned on this word so many times during the waiting season. The pressure you are feeling to make a decision, do not yield to it because it will pass. Find out what God is saying to you! And rehearse it every day. He specializes in impossible situations. Yes! He does care about us; this is why he sends the Holy Spirit the comforter. I have learned God is about the big picture. It is always about the outcome. Have faith in God, not a feeling.
