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God doesn’t care how you feel

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Ok, I just used the title to get your attention, because this won’t be nearly as cold as those words sound. It isn’t so much that God doesn’t care about how we feel, but rather that God cares so much more about WHO we are than HOW we feel, because he knows that our identity can always carry us through bad times.

Emotions can be great indicators, but they are terrible identifiers. Share on X

Think of it like this: emotions can be great indicators, but they are terrible identifiers.  If you or I are having a down day, we may feel sad and that can help alert us to things that we need to be aware of and can help us make choices that can lead us out of that funk.  But if we let that sad feeling tell us who we are – if we let it become our identity – then we don’t see ourselves as joy-filled followers of Jesus having a bad day.  Instead, we see ourselves as sad people, and that can be deadly.  In other words, our feelings may tell us HOW we are, but they should never tell us WHO we are.

Our feelings may tell us HOW we are, but they should never tell us WHO we are. Share on X

That’s what God’s word is for.  Only God can tell us WHO we are, and it’s so important for us to begin to tell ourselves as the people God says we are – even if our feelings tell us something else.

So, does God care how you feel?  Sure he does.  But He cares more about WHO YOU ARE!  And here are a handful of things (well, if you have 8 fingers on that hand) that you can declare about yourself each day.  They won’t make you a better person, because Jesus already made you a new person on the cross.  But they sure can help fill your mind and spirit with the truth that defines you on the days when your feelings try to divert you.

  • Today, Jesus allows me to live free from condemnation and full of confidence. (Romans 8:1; Philippians 1:6)
  • Today, the love of Jesus makes me an overcomer…no matter what. (Romans 8:31-39, esp. verse 37)
  • Today, the work of Jesus has prepared me to work for Jesus. (Ephesians 2:10)
  • Today, I will choose to forgive others when they are at their worst, because Jesus forgave me when I was at my worst. (Colossians 3:12-13)
  • Today, the power of Jesus in me means that I have everything I need for everything I will face. (2 Peter 1:3)
  • Today, the value of knowing Jesus will impact how I use my time and energy. (Philippians 3:8)
  • Today, the generous gift of Jesus allows me to live with a new heart that is generous like his. (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Jeremiah 24:7; Matthew 10:8)
  • Today, I will live and give generously so that God can give more blessings to more people through me. (2 Corinthians 9:11)

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September 24, 2013by Paul Jenkins
Written by Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins is lead pastor of The Gathering, a community church located in beautiful downtown Albemarle, North Carolina. He's the author of God is My Air Traffic Controller and My Name's Not Lou. Paul is passionate about his wife, his 3 children, running, reading, coaching, leading people who are following Jesus, Swedish Fish and the Carolina Panthers.