In the dead of night, I'll wake abruptly, my thoughts whirring rapidly. In my weary state, worry overtakes reason and my faith seems little comfort.
I know God CAN do anything, but WILL He?
Some situations I've prayed over for years and He seems silent. Where is He? Why won't He answer? Why is He so mysterious?
Yet what do I have to lose, bringing it before Him another time? Nothing. But if I don't BELIEVE He will make it right, I rob peace from myself. If I don't BELIEVE He's in control, fear shadows me. If I don't BELIEVE His plan is best, doubts shake me.
I don't have to FEEL the Truth. I only have to BELIEVE it. If I base my faith on how I FEEL, I have no faith at all. I'm trusting human emotion (which is pretty fickle) rather than Almighty God.
The Puritans understood you can't trust feelings. They realized only God never changes. They knew the value of bringing their requests before God, entreating His mercy. Disbelief steals the good God has for us. Faith must be MORE than feelings. It must be based on Truth.Prayers arising from my needs are preparations for further mercies; Help me to honour thee by believing before I feel, for great is the sin if I make feeling a cause of faith.
Valley of Vision
A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Join this week's host, Karen, at her blog In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus for more thoughts on this quote.
Photo Credit: David Clow - Maryland
5 comments:
Awesome post.
"I don't have to feel I have to believe." Boy could we learn a lesson or two from the Puritans. Have a great day.
Ah, The Valley of Vision - one of my favorites! How I am learning to treasure all of the saints who have come before me, and the depth of their insight.
Great post! The only way to really get away from feelings is to be filled up with God's word. Nothing can give us more peace when things look bleak than the concrete pages in the Bible! I would never survive from one crisis to the next without it!
Hugs! Patricia @ Typing One-Handed
"If I base my faith on how I FEEL, I have no faith at all"
SO TRUE!
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