But I don't FEEL like it.......

It's been a revelation to me that I don't have to follow my feelings. Sounds basic, huh?

The Holy Spirit really convicted me concerning how many times a week I say "I feel afraid" or "I just feel down today" or "When I spend time with _______, I just feel angry", and on and on. In my quest to find peace and not be going up and down in my walk with Christ, I learned that I AM NOT MY FEELINGS. My feelings do not dictate WHO I AM, and I do not have to succumb to them!

I knew this in my daily life already. I do the laundry, but I seldom feel like it. I cook supper, but I don't always feel like that either. The list goes on and on. Who feels like making beds? Who feels like being nice to a person who you know doesn't like you? I'm sure my husband doesn't necessarily always feel like going to work each morning.

If I can override my feelings in the mundane areas of life, that has to translate to the spiritual side. How much more can I overcome when I have the Holy Spirit's power to aid me? Is that not incredibly exciting?

Here's what I mean:

I can feel fearful but decide not to be afraid.

I can feel tired but decide not to be lazy.

I can feel angry but decide to forgive.

I can feel anchored to past hurts but decide to move forward.

Too many times I have let my feelings decide my direction, rather than throwing them aside and living in the victorious life that Christ died for me to have! We need to quit asking ourselves "How do I feel about that?" and instead ask "How does God want me to feel about that?" I daresay life would be fantastic!