Do as I feel?

We all have feelings. Great feelings and the not so great ones. Our feelings can largely dictate what we do in life. They have the power to influence our minds and hence our actions. One important lesson I am learning as I go through life is that, I should not let my feelings have the final say. Feelings are unreliable. They can push one to make unwise decisions. My convictions and values should drive me if I want to be the best version of myself. My convictions are centred on the Word of God. 

Why do I say this ? My feelings can tell me one thing today and say another thing tomorrow. My feelings can, in one moment be happy with doing the right thing, but in another moment seek to abandon what is right for what seems convenient. However, my convictions and values require me to be disciplined in order to live them out. 

Discipline doesn’t care how I feel in the moment. Discipline cares about what is right. Discipline focuses on the long term. Discipline is not interested in self-gratification. Given this, it is not surprising that it is very difficult to be disciplined. It is a daily battle of choosing whether to honour God and walk in discipline or choosing to dishonour God by gratifying my flesh. Sometimes I am successful at being disciplined and other times I am not. There are areas of my life where I have mastered discipline and other areas where I am still learning.

What I’ve come to realise however is that, I am happiest and most fulfilled when I choose to abandon my feelings for what is right but harder to do. Yes, in the moment, it is tough but in due time I realise how rewarding it is. 

For me, I am trying to make decisions now that my future self will thank me for. I will hate to look back and live in regret due to the fact that I allowed my feelings to control me instead of controlling them. Yes, I have made and will make mistakes because I am not perfect but having this mindset makes all the difference. 

1 Corinthians 9:27 – “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”.