Jemma is a brilliant young woman, with stellar grades, a small group of close friends, and an enviable summer internship. But inside, she’s a jumble of doubt and insecurity. Her faith has been shaken by the unshakeable feeling that God simply isn’t as close as her Sunday school teachers always claimed. She prays but doubts its effectiveness, and can’t help but focus on her many shortcomings, to the point where she’s certain the world would be better without her.
Jemma feels like she doesn’t matter at all, and it’s starting to affect her outlook on life and the future.
Jemma struggles to put faith over feelings, and if I had to guess, most of the rest of us aren’t much different.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
FEELINGS: A BLESSING AND CURSE
Humans are not robots. God gave us the amazing ability to feel and enjoy different sensations—many of which are critical to our survival. When you feel intense heat on your hand, you know to remove it from the burner. When you get an uneasy feeling about the stranger who just walked into the building, you know to be on the alert and possibly take action.
Our feelings can and often do lie to us.
But the honest truth is, our feelings can and often do lie to us. You might feel endangered by the black spider crawling on the floor but that doesn’t mean it’s dangerous. You might feel alone and worthless but that doesn’t mean you are.
And just because you feel like prayer doesn’t work and God is too busy for you doesn’t mean it’s true.
If you believe a lie, you’ll live as if it were true. And what a shame!
So if you can’t trust your feelings, how do you know what’s true?
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
Look to the Bible!
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 3:16
Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17
God’s word is alive, true, and powerful—powerful enough to counteract the falsehood of your ever-changing feelings. Immerse yourself in his truth, flush out all lies, and put your faith over feelings.
Let’s take a look at some common situations where the Bible can help you sort out the difference between feelings and fact in faith.
6 BIBLICAL TRUTHS to Help You Put FAITH OVER FEELINGS
Feeling #1: I am alone.
The truth: God is with you wherever you go.
The evidence:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Feeling #2: God doesn’t care about this.
The truth: What matters to you matters to God.
The evidence:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Feeling #3: God is watching from a distance, waiting for me to figure it out.
The truth: God is here and active in your life, even when you can’t sense it.
The evidence:
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:18-19
Feeling #4: I am of little worth.
The truth: You are God’s own child, and valuable enough for Christ to give his life for you. He calls you by name.
The Evidence:
But now, this is what the Lord says . . . “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1
Feeling #5: Prayer works for everyone except me.
The truth: Prayer is powerful in all circumstances.
The evidence:
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:13-14
Feeling #6: It’s too late for me, nothing can fix what I’ve done.
The truth: Your sins have been paid for in full—the sins of yesterday, today, and even tomorrow.
The evidence:
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
HOLD THE TRUTH IN YOUR HANDS
Don’t confuse feelings and fact in faith. If you haven’t picked up your Bible lately, there’s no time like the present. Dive in and immerse yourself in the truth.
Believe what you know, not what you feel.
Believe in God’s word to guide you to the truth.
MORE FOR TEENS WHO WALK BY FAITH
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
- Faith: Does it Matter What You Believe?
- Is it a Leap of Faith to Believe in Jesus?
- 8 Bible Verses For When You Feel Worthless
- I Trust God…Sometimes (video for teens from PursueGod.org)
Thank you, Lauren. Another power packed article that we can all lean on. The Bible is such a treasure trove of comfort and peace if only we use it. Take care and keep shining your light.
What a joy to know that God is always with us. Once again, giving us another of His faithful and true promises. What a joy that trusting in our Savior Jesus, we are given the gift of being children of God. Thank you, Lauren. Truly enjoy all your writings always directing to God’s Word. 🙏🏻♥️✝️
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