Greater than Your Feelings.

Have you ever thought about some of the mighty men and women in the Bible who did mighty feats and changed history? People like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Gideon, Ruth, Deborah, Joshua, Paul, and Peter. All of these people made radical choices, were faced with insurmountable challenges, and beat the odds. They defeated giants, conquered kings and kingdoms, and stayed committed when they could have chose to walk away. Some were beaten, ridiculed, mocked, and even martyred because of what they stood and fought for.

Even though they are known throughout history for their feats and bravery, have you ever wondered what feelings all of these powerful men and women might have faced? I am sure there was great joy and celebration at every victory, but what about the times in the challenge and the pressing? Though they were hero’s of the faith, they were in fact human. They must have all experienced different levels of fear, failure, doubt, discouragement, frustration, sadness, loss, disappointment, betrayal, and more. But what made them stay the course amidst all of those feelings?

My thought is they were able to accomplish great things because they knew and relied on the power and the love of God for them! It says in I John 4:16-18, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love… God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.”

These men and women did not allow their feelings to rule them in the midst of trials and adversity. Instead they stayed, relied, and moved in the love of God for them. Yes, I am sure they felt many of the same intense feelings we feel today when faced with life’s challenges. Yet, they knew that God was greater than any of their feelings, so they stayed hidden in the perfect love of God that cast out all of their fears.

I want to encourage you today, you are just like these great men and women of the faith. The perfect love of God is greater than any feelings of doubt, frustration, failure that you may be facing.  You too are a history maker, and it is time to experience the fullness of God’s perfect love so you can arise in the great destiny and calling He has for you! Rely on His unfailing love for you because in His love you cannot be defeated.