When I was a child, I loved seafood. Five years ago, it was a no-no for me. Ick. But something started to change in the past few years. At the moment, I actually enjoy shrimp. And slowly getting to crab. And maybe lobster. Still can’t handle the really fishy fish. But hey, perhaps in the next few years, months, weeks, or even days, that can change. The food hasn’t been altered; it’s simply been my taste buds evolving through time.
This applies to the roller coaster of life. Circumstances tend to drive the ebb and flow of human emotions. Things happen. Feelings change. All the time. You can love your job one day. Hate it the next. Interested in that person one day. Over it the next. Happy one day. Sad another. Excited. Bored. Angry. Disappointed. Optimistic. Lonely. Loved. Surprised. Complacent. Motivated.
This is all to say that feelings are fleeting.
I think most of us know that. However, so many people respond to situations in the moment as if they weren’t.
No, the whole world is not falling apart because things are not going your way at the moment.
Feelings are valid–we’re human after all, but we must acknowledge that it’s temporary, and the responses to our feelings need to reach beyond ourselves. If not, you might regret it later.
With that being said, what’s not fleeting? The food that hadn’t been altered…
God’s promises. His truths.
As an extrovert rarely wanting to be alone, it’s so hard to get myself to spend some serious time in Scripture. Yet it’s in Scripture that God shows His unfaltering truths that we can use to combat the broken and human side of us when we go head-to-head with those fleeting feelings.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 is the verse currently highlighted in my life. The soul and spirit are so closely intertwined, but the word of God will cut through what lies in the soul (steppin’ up the pun game if you get what I mean).
This came at the perfect time because it’s the thing that makes most sense to me. Recently, I’ve become very aware of that battle between flesh, soul, and spirit. I’ve hesitantly ran into the tensions of life instead of staying in my comfort spot as a peacemaker. Oddly enough, I’ve held a steady sense of peace, and to me, this is not normal.
Shouldn’t I be a hot mess of emotions? Am I numbing myself?
I feel but haven’t let those emotions take control of me. I keep forgetting that the new me is not me seven, five, or even two years ago. The Lord is helping me discern His truth apart from my emotions. He hasn’t promised me a happy and easy life, but He has promised me a rewarding one as I obey Him. And I keep hearing the voice in my head saying,
Girl, get up and get over yourself. We’ve got some Kingdom work to do!
I have wondered if I’m wrong. If I will wake up one day, and it’ll all change. If I have somehow put up walls to distance myself from my emotions, and it’ll eventually become so heavy that it’ll crumble on me. I guess only time will tell.
There is no doubt that we all have the great and the terrible days. And my feelings will change. Two days ago, I was on the go. Pumped. Excited. Today, I’m tired. And maybe I’ll love tuna one day (though I doubt it).
As I transition from feeling to feeling, I am resting in the faith that He is actually real and His truths and promises are the foundation to living my life rather than those feelings that enter and exit in the blink of an eye.
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Fundraising Update
Yes, I’m still fundraising so that I can continue my time here in Gainesville with the Fellowship program. Thankful that the Lord has provided $2600 and am praying that the remainder $6750 comes in within the next few months.
My last deadline was $6400 by May 15, so I’m a little behind but trying my best to stay optimistic. It all adds up so if you would like to help out, even $5 or $10 would be a HUGE encouragement to me! There’s a donate link on the left, and there are no processing fees 😀 Thanks!
