Why Your Feelings Matter So Little (And So Much)
In our culture, feelings are often viewed as being out of our control. We hear people saying, "I can't help it", "I just like what I like" or "I can't control how I feel." Classic songs blare out phrases like "I can't fight this feeling!” Here are the questions I ask when confronted with this pervasive culture: Can we control our feelings? And how important are our feelings?
Our culture seems to answer those questions this way: I cannot control who I am, and I am what I feel. Also, my feelings define me, so they are extremely important. Therefore, my feelings are both supremely important and well beyond my control.
When put plainly like that, you can see that this is a precarious position to hold. If we cannot control how we feel, we are at the mercy of our feelings. Irresponsibility and complete disregard for consequences flow out of this mindset. More and more, feelings are viewed as an integral part of each person's identity, so telling someone that their feelings are incorrect has become politically incorrect.
Have we really bought into this? I know that I catch myself saying things that sound suspiciously like I can’t control my feelings. I may not seem like it, but I can be a pretty emotional guy. Things can move me deeply, but I am not as expressive-responsive as other people. My wife, Angela, knows me better than anyone and can see my emotions stewing under the surface.
Recently, I was completely overwhelmed by my task list. Everything seemed to be late and I felt I was making no headway. The lawn was about 10 feet high, the front door was still broken, and my writing project was only halfway done, among many other things. When Angela asked how I was doing (knowing that something was wrong), I began to express how overwhelmed I was and basically said that I could not control how I felt.
Even in that moment, I knew that I was just copping out of my responsibility to manage my own feelings. I knew that what I was doing was wrong, but I went on pretending like it was out of my control. Didn't want to face the responsibility of managing my feelings.
Many things are affected by how we handle our emotions, but the ultimate question about feelings is this: "What do you do when you don’t feel drawn to God?" Since he is the ultimate purpose of all our affection and love, what do feelings mean when they pertain to him?
When it comes to God, your feelings matter very little, and they are also extremely significant.
Why Your Feelings Matter So Little
God cares how you feel, but he cares infinitely more for the wellbeing of your soul. Therefore, he is not content for you to simply wallow in your feelings or to do what feels good but will destroy you. If you just indulge in whatever feelings you have at any given moment, you become a slave or a robots instead of a free-thinking being. God works in you to root out feelings that would stifle your growth.
[bctt tweet="If our feelings are paramount in our decisions, we will become valleys of emptiness." username="everetthill"]
The Bible deals many times with working past initial feelings into deeper understandings of who God is. Here are some examples:
- "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” - Psalm 56:3 ESV
- "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” - James 1:2 ESV
- "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
- "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:2 ESV
- “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” - Psalms 42:11 ESV
Why Your Feelings Matter So Much
Your moment-to-moment feelings are comparatively small in the light of your salvation and spiritual growth. However, they are infinitely important to the way you worship God. Our desires and feelings are actually an essential part of worship. God deserves the most radical, passionate and intense worship you can offer. How can you do that without feeling and emotion?
[bctt tweet="We honor God most when our feelings are an integral part of our worship." username="everetthill"]
Here are some examples of emotions and feelings serving as worship:
- "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” - Philippians 4:4 ESV
- "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:24 ESV
- "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Since we've established how important your feelings are and that I believe we can control them, come back next week (or subscribe to my blog) for a post about the ways we can get a handle on our feelings.
How do you view feelings? What are some intense emotions you've experienced recently?