FAITH AND FEELINGS
The Bible says that in our walk with God we are to live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). However, feeling resulting from various situations we might encounter may affect our faith and walk. The Bible provides examples of this happening in some peoples’ walks with God.
ELIJAH. The prophet Elijah demonstrated strong faith and feelings of elation when God answered his prayer in a contest with prophets of a god named Baal. God rained down fire from heaven to consumed a sacrificial offering of Elijah, to convince the people of Israel that he was the true God. The prophets of Baal failed in their attempts to get Baal to consume their offering (1 Kings 18:16-40).
But Elijah manifested a weaken faith and feelings of depression when he was being sought by Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, whose god was Baal. Fearing Jezebel’s power to kill him more than trusting and asking for God ‘s power to protect him, Elijah ran away and hid (1 Kings 19:1-10).
The Lord restored Elijah’s faith and uplifted his dejected spirit. The Lord appeared to Elijah and convinced him that God was in control of the things the prophet was worried about. He instructed Elijah to anoint leaders to dethrone Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 19:15-18).
JOHN THE BAPTIST. When John baptized Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” John was full of faith and feeling chosen to announce God’s promised Messiah (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:5-6).
But when John was imprisoned for speaking out against the sins of King Herod, John wondered if Jesus was the promised Messiah. John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting or should we keep looking for someone else” (Luke 7:19NLT).
Apparently, John was not aware of what we and Jesus’ disciples later learned: “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Nevertheless, to strengthen John’s faith and ease his mind, Jesus sent him a message to John about the extraordinary works and miracles the Lord was doing as proof that he was the Messiah (Luke 7: 21-23).
PETER. At one point in Peter’s walk with Jesus, he felt confident enough to say to Jesus, in the presence of other disciples, that “even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:35)
But fearing for his own life when Jesus was put on trial to be executed, Peter disown knowing Jesus three times in the presence of those who planned to kill him. Later, Peter went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:54-62).
After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, he forgave Peter, and allowed him to affirm his love for the Lord three time in the presences of the disciples (John 21:14-19). The Lord loves and forgives us even as he did Peter (1 John 1:9).
PAUL. Having encounter many different and troubling situations (2 Corinthians 23-33), Paul said he learned to be content and confident in Christ in whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11-12). Paul encourages us to follow him as he trusted and followed the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:1).
The Bible tells us Jesus Christ was tempted and tried in every way like we are, but he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). And he always trusted God the Father (John 8:29). Furthermore, the Bible tells us to fix our eyes upon Jesus: “The pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
