The Meaning of "Faith over Feelings"

What does "Faith over Feelings” mean? I am not by any means taking credit for inventing this phrase but, “Faith over Feelings” is essentially my take on the commonly t-shirt worn phrase “Faith over Fear”. This phrase “Faith over Feelings” essentially suggests that putting full faith and trust into God is far more significant than being overcome with feelings and emotions that only last for a moment. Moments such as attending a church camp or revival service can leave you with a sense or feeling of “being on fire for God” that tends to be short lived. Fortunately, faith is not solely built on feelings that don’t last very long, faith is trusting in God about every part of your life every day, and that requires more fuel than a church camp or revival can sustain. I am not opposed to church camp; however, I have been on a few myself and that experience of being surrounded by young believers is amazing, but it takes more than feelings to sustain our faith with God.

On another note, when it comes to building a relationship with God, we cannot rely on our feelings to push us all the time. There are times when I do not “feel” like working out or eating healthy and some days I will succumb to my feelings of idleness. Although having a healthy lifestyle is important, I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I just didn’t act on it all because I didn’t “feel like it”. Imagine if that is how we approached a relationship with God. Only praying, reading our bible, sharing the gospel when we feel like it. Being on fire for God should be a daily thing not just a feeling we get after a moving worship experience, because like I said, a fire based on feelings will die out eventually.

So, what sustains us, who is the light in our lives that keeps us going when we do not “feel like it”? Jesus is the answer. PERIODT. He has given us the Holy Spirit that lives in every believer. The Holy Spirit is our guide that helps us in every way. Romans chapter 8 verse 26 says, “the [Holy]Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us”. Every day is a fight, when you first wake up the battle with our flesh or human nature begins. The amazing thing is that God loves us so much that He has given us a gift and helper so we don’t have to fight alone, so that when we feel weak or can’t find that fire, the Holy Spirit will be guiding us and interceding on our behalf. When you put your faith in Jesus and let the Holy Spirit guide you, you won’t have to worry about making it by on your feelings, instead you can have a strong faith that truly sustains you. I would take “Faith over Feelings” any day.

- MDSN