My series called, “When I Feel…” is not written with the intention of pandering to every fragile whim or fickle emotion. Rather, my prayer for these verses and meditations is that they can help us keep a check on the condition of our heart when experiencing real and sometimes raw emotions. I hope they can inspire us to view everything through the lens of Scripture as we navigate the different challenges and seasons of life.
There are many difficult and varied situations to face over the years and quite often, our circumstances can lead us down a path of feeling certain emotions.
What’s imperative to remember however, is our feelings are not constant and they’re not reliable, only God is. Feelings don’t define the truth, God’s Word defines the truth. Our emotions are merely a response to what our mind perceives and it’s important that we keep a check on how we are processing and handling these emotions.
Our feelings can have a great deal of influence over how we choose to speak and behave within our daily lives. They can lead to habits and lifestyle choices so if we’re not keeping our heart in check and in line with God’s heart then we can find ourselves getting out of step with His Word.
Of course, it can be really challenging to choose to take every thought captive and bring each emotion under the authority of Jesus Christ. Spending time reading God’s Word will help us filter our feelings however, as everything is sieved through the unchanging truth of Scripture. Time spent with our Saviour and spent meditating on His Word will highlight any lies we may have fallen afoul to and keep us rooted in the truth.
As Christians, we needn’t be tossed to and fro by the turbulent seas of our emotions. We stand on the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ who is always attentive to our prayers and able to guide us with Divine wisdom and understanding.
Of course, there are some wonderful, peaceful and happy times in life which I’ve also included in this series. It’s important we invite God into each season of life and remember to include Him in the good times as well as the bad. Ultimately, I pray this series helps us address and process different emotions in a biblical way while shining the light of God’s Word on each scenario. May these verses help to purify our perceptions and sync our heart with the heart of Jesus.
"When I’m feeling overwhelmed and tempted to despair, There are many difficult and varied situations to face over the years and quite often, our circumstances can lead us down a path of feeling certain emotions.
What’s imperative to remember however, is our feelings are not constant and they’re not reliable, only God is. Feelings don’t define the truth, God’s Word defines the truth. Our emotions are merely a response to what our mind perceives and it’s important that we keep a check on how we are processing and handling these emotions.
Our feelings can have a great deal of influence over how we choose to speak and behave within our daily lives. They can lead to habits and lifestyle choices so if we’re not keeping our heart in check and in line with God’s heart then we can find ourselves getting out of step with His Word.
Of course, it can be really challenging to choose to take every thought captive and bring each emotion under the authority of Jesus Christ. Spending time reading God’s Word will help us filter our feelings however, as everything is sieved through the unchanging truth of Scripture. Time spent with our Saviour and spent meditating on His Word will highlight any lies we may have fallen afoul to and keep us rooted in the truth.
As Christians, we needn’t be tossed to and fro by the turbulent seas of our emotions. We stand on the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ who is always attentive to our prayers and able to guide us with Divine wisdom and understanding.
Of course, there are some wonderful, peaceful and happy times in life which I’ve also included in this series. It’s important we invite God into each season of life and remember to include Him in the good times as well as the bad. Ultimately, I pray this series helps us address and process different emotions in a biblical way while shining the light of God’s Word on each scenario. May these verses help to purify our perceptions and sync our heart with the heart of Jesus.
Remind me in that moment Lord, to turn to You in prayer.
Though whispers of the devil say I face these trials alone
You’ve promised You are with me, You will not forsake Your own.
Melt away the lies and turn my thoughts to what is true,
For issues only overwhelm when I’ve lost sight of You.
Though tactics of the enemy appear to be effective,
When I am in Your presence Lord, I gain the right perspective.
Problems shrink in magnitude when lifted up in prayer,
Reduced in might and power, next to You they don’t compare!
Fill my heart with hope and may my soul return to rest,
Knowing You are in control and always know what’s best.
With You, all things are possible so may I cease from strife.
Worrying won’t add a single minute to my life.
Your grace is all sufficient, may I trust in Christ, Divine.
Let my soul remember to take one day at a time.
Though challenges have left me feeling like an empty cup,
Bring me Lord, before Your Throne so You can fill me up!
You strengthen and enable me, in You my spirit sings.
I know I have the vict’ry in the shelter of Your wings!"
Psalm 61:1-4
“Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”
Psalm 9:10
“Those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 62:5-8
“My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defence;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.”
Heart Check
Am I feeling overwhelmed by anything today? Have I brought what’s troubling me before God’s Throne in prayer? Have I stayed before His Throne until God has granted me peace in the situation?
Quite often, we start to get overwhelmed because we’re looking at tasks, responsibilities or challenges that are beyond today. We get ahead of ourselves and begin focusing on tomorrow, next week or any other time in the future.
God’s grace is sufficient for each day however, and Scripture tells us not to worry about tomorrow in Matthew 6:33-34. The verses read,
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
So often, we’re overwhelmed because we’re taking on the trouble of another day. This is when it’s good to strip things back and ask ourselves, “What tasks and challenges am I facing today?” and then focus solely on them.
Forward planning and preparing isn’t a bad thing but it’s when we start to fuss and fret over things we can’t do just now, that our burden becomes too heavy and we feel rung-out and overwhelmed.
If we are feeling overwhelmed by anything today, let’s bring it before the Lord and ask Him to help us prioritise and channel our energies towards one thing at a time, one day at a time.
Let’s ask Jesus to remove the weight of whatever burdens we’re carrying and replace that weight with the bountiful blessing of the perfect peace that only He can give.
May we pray as our Saviour taught us to pray,
“Give us this day our daily bread!”
