I read something recently that rang very true with me. It said,
Feelings are a gauge, not a guide.
It rang true again this morning when I stood in the shower “not feeling it.” Ever have one of those days, where you’re just not feeling it? For me, as a Christian, that hits hard. To not feel the joy I know Christ has given me could almost make me feel like a failure. I’ve always said of my faith in Jesus that “I know that I know, that I know.” I know Jesus died for me, and though doubts may come, in my heart I know it is true. I know God is real because my spirit tells me so. That’s the part of me that’s the guide; my spirit self.
Feelings can make you wake up grumpy. They can make you short-tempered, or even sad. They can make you feel helpless, and somedays even hopeless. They can make you feel frustrated, mad at the world, or like crawling under a rock! They can leave you elated, or totally deflated. You just never know. That’s the thing about feelings; they’re not reliable. They can tell you what your mood is at the moment, but they don’t predict the future or even always tell the truth. Feelings can be wonderful! Who doesn’t love falling in love?! The butterflies and whatnot. But broken hearts stink. The thing is feelings are similar to a storm on the ocean. The waves rise and fall, and they can knock you flat. But they don’t predict the sun that will rise, the rainbow that will grace the blue sky, or the calm current to follow. They’re a gauge of what you’re going through at the moment, but not the guide that maneuvers you through it all.
This morning when I wasn’t feeling it, when I wasn’t feeling the joy that I know persists in my life, I didn’t allow that gauge to push me deeper under the water. Instead I reached for the rope of truth, the guide that kept me steady in a sea of changing feelings. That truth said joy was there even if I didn’t feel it.
I began to speak to the Lord. “You are the rock on which I stand, my strong tower, my refuge of strength.”
Even if I felt I was on shifting sand I knew I stood on a rock foundation. The funny thing is that when you speak truth you see beyond feelings. Feelings can make you feel like you’re in the dark sometimes, but the truth always brings you into the light. And you know what? That feels good!
Abby says
This is priceless!! Exactly what I needed today. Every post is better than the last. Keep up the amazing work. God is speaking through you!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Robin says
I’ve been feeling this way for awhile. Thank you for sharing!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
You’re welcome. Thank you. I pray for a great outpouring of joy in your life!
Angie Sharp says
I needed this today too! Thanks for being faithful to write what He leads you to!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Dave says
Good teaching Brie! I hope your words can reach millions! You have a gift! It is a gift that needs to be unwrapped in so many lives! I have been there too when diagnosed with prostate cancer & felt abandoned by God but after being bombarded with no understanding or peace about what tomorrow held God showed up in a big way at the moment I needed His peace! Keep up the good work girl!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much. So grateful the God of peace is with you, my friend.
Dave says
Thank you!
Angela says
Thos is exactly how I felt today. Your words hit home. My husband and I are in a terrible time right now and I know satan is trying to work in our marriage. I need to feel positive and see beyond the moment. God bless you for your words.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much. God bless you and your marriage.
Heidi Cleghorn says
I so needed to hear this today. This part really spoke to me as this was almost my exact words this morning while getting ready for work. “You are the rock on which I stand, my strong tower, my refuge of strength.”
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. So glad this found you and touched your heart when most needed.
Wanda says
Well said Brie! It’s so easy to fall into the trap our feelings can bring us to. The key is FAITH in Jesus. Because of your Faith in Him you understand how much it means to stand on it, cling to it sometimes, when feelings pull you in the opposite direction. Keep writing what He says to you. We need to hear it.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much.
Georgina says
Satan takes a little truth and mixes it with a lot of lies. Thanks for the reminder that we need to think about what we are thinking about and then discipline ourselves and our thoughts to line up with Philippians 4:8.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.