How many times as a kid, or teenager, did you tell your mother “I don’t
feel like going to school today?” Or as you got older, and more responsible, “I
don’t feel like going to work today.” Ever been asked how you felt about
something? How do you feel about the Chargers moving to LA? Did you feel that
earthquake? Doesn’t that cool air feel good tonight? Feel how good the seats
in my new car feel. That vinyl feels just like leather. I hate the feel of
sand between my toes. You hurt my feelings. “There’s a feeling I get when I
look to the west...” sang Led Zeppelin. I’m feeling the effects of the
weather. Or riding a motorcycle is a feeling like no other. Even an old dreary
song told us “feelings, nothing more than feelings....” and the list goes on.
We are a very feeling type society, doing things and making decisions based on
how we feel, rather than what we need to do. And in too many instances get our
feelings hurt, hurling us into more less than desirable feelings. It’s the
events that prime the emotions that cause the feelings to either go our way or
not. Very rarely are your feelings hurt when you don’t get your way, how many
times after making a statement that someone disagrees with do you have to ask
“did I hurt your feelings?” And yes our feelings will actually cause us to
respond the other way, causing us to lie under the conditions, “you don’t care
how I feel, do you?” Feelin’ alright?
But feelings are fleeting, and can cause us problems making decisions. I
love that new bike, I can’t live without it, just months after you said about
the same about the shiny one in your garage. I used to love going into New York
City as a teen, until I got mugged, now I hate the place. So feelings can and
do influence our decisions no matter how much we admit it. And when emotions,
or opinions get confused with the truth, you have a formula for disaster. When
my sons were growing up, I always told them “don’t make any big decision based
on a high or low emotion.” Like I do sometimes, and valuable lessons were
learned when they did. Maybe the words “I told you so” were invented for just
such occasions, rousing up even more feelings. How many divorces happen today
because “I just don’t feel the same way about them anymore,” confusing love for
an emotion. Thanks to Tina Turner, another marriage disaster telling us “what’s
love, but a second hand emotion?” Still feelin’ alright?
But the Bible tells us that God is love, that he is more than an emotion,
more that a feeling. Another song title? He is the person of Jesus Christ, and
we are warned in scripture that the heart can be deceitful, and let us down, not
to trust it. So why do so many pulpit people tell us to trust our feelings?
And then wonder why when we do we need more counseling? When God made us he
made us a body, physical, a soul, the heart, where your feelings live, and of
spirit, the part that cries out for salvation, and can only be fulfilled by
Jesus. But if it feels good do it, offers up another recipe for disaster, and
in today’s world we have become so feelings dictated that free speech now means
you can say what you want, as long as I agree with it. So where is a person to
turn? Again to God, who via his spirit will guide you.
Jesus was accused once of being harsh, and his answer was “have I made you
my enemy by telling you the truth?” Imagine if Jesus didn’t feel like going to
the cross, remember it was his decision and his alone to go? If he didn’t feel
like forgiving Peter, if he didn’t feel like being crucified? What if he acted
on feelings instead of his spirit? What would the gospels be like without him?
How do you feel now? But his being love, remember he is God incarnate, his love
for us knew no bounds, and he died for us so we could be reunited with his
father in heaven. So that like him we too will be resurrected upon our earthly
death, and live forever with him. Or without him if you choose....how many have
been offended to hell, when they could have been offended to heaven by hearing
the truth?
A story today told of some teens calling some blacks the N word, and the
blacks were offended, their feelings hurt. Which started the politicians into
action, writing more laws about hate speech. Hey, these kids were just
expressing their feelings...weren’t they? Maybe if we quit writing laws, and
start showing God’s love the actions may change, for the law kills, but the
spirit brings life. Nowhere was it mentioned in the article about forgiveness,
just revenge with more laws. Did either party here show greater love for their
fellow man than to lay down their lives for them? To get over it and move on?
But based on feelings, both parties are continuing a stupid process that will go
on for way too long. With more feelings than truth involved. Didn’t Jesus tell
a woman caught in sin “go and sin no more. Get over it and move on.” Stupid
hurts, and soon becomes a lifestyle, and a curse for life.
So turn to Jesus, the spirit has been calling you to him, and yes it will
effect your feelings, God calls them blessings, happinesses he wants to give
you, and when we find love to be the person of Jesus Christ rather than just a
feeling about a situation, or more than a religion, you will feel the peace and
joy he brings. Heaven calls, you don’t have to go to hell, now, feelin’
alright? Knowing Jesus sure makes me feel better.....feelings and all.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com