FAITH ABOVE FEELINGS

FAITH ABOVE FEELINGS

The Bible says that in our walk with God we are to live by faith in his word, not by sight or feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7). However, our faith may be affected by feelings that come from different situations we face in life. The Bible provides examples of this happening in some people’s walks with God; and it shows how God helped them deal with such situations. We may learn from how God helped others.

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. At Elijah’s request, 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 many attempts to get Baal to consume their offering (1 Kings 18:16-40).

Later Elijah manifested a weakening of faith, and showed 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 God ‘s power to protect him, Elijah ran away and hid (1 Kings 19:1-10).

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).

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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 privileged 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 really 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 restore and strengthen John’s faith, Jesus told John’s messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Luke 7:21-23)

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JESUS. Being anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, the Lord went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). He said, he always did what pleased God the Father (John 8:29).

But when Jesus was face with the agony of dying on the cross and being forsaking by God the Father for our sins, he was challenged by his human feeling. Jesus prayed: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). God strengthened him. Luke 22:42-43).

The Bible tells us to fix our “eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).The Word of God says, if we suffer for the sake of the Lord–being strengthened by the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17; Acts 1:8)–we shall reign with the Lord (2 Timothy 2:12).