Emotions - Can You Trust Them?

I have to be honest. I don't feel like doing anything today. After working out this morning, I feel drained. With muscles like jelly, there is nothing I would  like better than to declare a national holiday: Do Nothing Day.

But I really DO have things I need to get done. Have you ever been there? I found myself involved in an intense struggle. Fortunately, I came to a conclusion in the morning, before too much of the day had slipped away. The truth? Feelings come and go. I can't let my feelings dictate what I do.

God created people with emotions. But they are not to control us. This is an age-old battle. Even the Apostle Paul wrote, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do," (Romans 7:19; KJV). God's remedy? "...Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh," (Galatians 5:16).

What does it look like to walk in the Spirit? If I'm living my life in step with the Spirit, I'll produce some things: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). A light bulb moment. Do you get it?

Living by my feelings puts my needs first. Walking in the Spirit, gives me the ability to focus on others and their needs.

Remember Nabal and his wife, Abigail? A husband and wife faced with the same situation, but they had  radically different responses. David had protected Nabal's shepherds while they were in the wilderness together. Later, when David was in need of provisions, he sent his men to greet Nabal and ask him to provide for their needs. Nabal allowed his emotions to rule his response, "Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?" (1 Samuel 25:10-11). Nabal thought only of himself.

Abigail's response was totally different. When she heard that David's men had been there, and learned of her husband's evil response, she immediately went to work. She pulled together enough food for a small army, and set out after David and his men. She took it upon herself to apologize for her husband's rude behavior, praising David for following the Lord. Abigail was focused on the needs of others.

Although I'm not in a situation like Nabal and Abigail, how I respond to the circumstances I face, is just as important. I have a choice to make, will I allow myself to be controlled by my emotions, or will I walk in the Spirit? Today, I choose to give the Spirit full control!

Do you allow your emotions to control you? What step will you take today to walk in the Spirit?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with emotions. Help me to control my emotions and walk in the Spirit. Let the story of Nabal and Abigail remind me of the importance of putting others ahead of myself. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Who's Doing the Heavy Lifting?

Heavy rains have taken a toll on our creek and pond. The rain isn't really the problem. It's all the debris from upstream that washed into our creek, that has created the problem. Sizeable tree limbs, significant leaf litter, and sand completely clogged the pipes that run under our driveway into the pond. The churning water had no choice but to flow over the driveway. You guessed it. We were left with a mess!

We had a choice to make. Spend several days digging the debris out by hand, or rent a piece of equipment that could complete the job in a matter of hours. Hmmmm. Days of exhausting manual labor, or hours allowing a piece of equipment to do the job for us? Not a difficult decision. We opted to rent a track hoe.

Operating the track hoe still required work, but was far easier than digging the creek out with shovels. There was no comparison between the amount of sand and debris the bucket could handle in one scoop, and what our small shovels could hold. Thank goodness for a piece of equipment designed to do some heavy lifting!

'Heavy rain' affects my spiritual life as well. Difficulties of all shapes and sizes touch me and those around me. Financial struggles, rebellious children, and death can all wreck havoc in our lives. Fortunately, I don't have to muddle through on my own. I have a choice. Instead of doing things in my own strength, as a believer, I can lean on the power of the Lord. He is well-equipped to help me through any situation, doing the 'heavy lifting' for me.

My tendency is to try to fix situations. The result? I end up exhausted. When I follow the Lord's leading and apply His Word to situations, He provides the solutions and I remain energized. The book of Matthew shares the reason, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," (Matthew 11:29-30; KJV).

He never intended for me to carry the heavy stuff. In fact, He instructs me to cast all my burdens on Him because He cares about me (1 Peter 5:7). When I'm obedient and get in the yoke with Him, He acts as the track hoe doing the hard work. I can't simply sit back and do nothing, but He gives me the easy part. He doesn't require that I fix any problem on my own.
Look at His amazing credentials: "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding," (Isaiah 40:28). He's everlasting, the Creator of it all, has all wisdom, and he never gets tired! Sounds like Someone I can trust with EVERY ONE of my problems!

As I lay my troubles before Him, His Word assures me, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength," (Isaiah 40:29). As I wait on Him, instead of burning out, my strength is renewed!

How will you deal with your problems? Do you find yourself trying to fix them on your own? Take the Lord up on His offer - allow Him to do the heavy lifting. You'll be amazed with the outcome and your strength will be renewed!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You that I can cast all my cares on You. You know the struggles I face and never intended for me to fix them on my own. Help me to get into the yoke with You, and allow You to do the heavy lifting. I know I can trust You with the outcome. Thank You for Your promise to renew my strength when I'm obedient to do things according to Your plan! In Jesus' name, Amen.