Israel hated Jeremiah, the prophet. They despised him because he consistently brought distressing news from God to the people. No doubt, Jeremiah felt alone. He could have said, “Woe is me; everybody hates me.” Instead, Jeremiah prayed, “O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life.” (Lamentations 3:58)
Jeremiah did not let his feelings get the best of him. Instead of speaking negatively, Jeremiah talked with confidence about God. He knew God had redeemed him. He did not say, “I hope, I think, or I suppose God will redeem my life.” Jeremiah spoke with confidence as if it had already happened.
Everyone desires that people like them. But when you walk with God, people will sometimes despise you. Like Jeremiah, you’ve got to shake off doubts and fears that impair your peace. God has considered every wrong concerning you and has made it right. Our faithful God expects that you rest in His peace. He has already argued the case for your soul and has redeemed your life. He did this at the cross. Thereby redeeming you from the power of the enemy.
Don’t let your feelings dictate your faith. Satan may use your feelings to deceive you, especially when life’s circumstances make you feel alone in your struggles. The devil will try to convince you that everyone is against you and that God does not care for you. Remember, your faith is stronger than your feelings. Don’t live according to your feelings, but according to your faith. Your faith in God is a shield against doubt and fear.
Respond to Your Feelings With the Word of God
Jesus said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you.” So, today, live by your faith in God. Reject emotions that make you “feel” that God does not care for you. How you respond to your feelings is a sign of what you believe about God. If you live according to your feelings, you will inevitably doubt God. But when you know God loves you, you have the assurance that you are redeemed. Therefore, you will not react to your feelings with negative emotions.
Your feelings are nothing more than emotions. They cannot act; they can only make you react in an uncalculated way. Don’t allow your feelings to sabotage your response. Respond to your feelings with faith. Faith believes the word of God. So, when you feel that the world is against you, respond by telling yourself, “If God is for me, who can be against me?” When you have feelings of inadequacy, say to yourself, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Be Grateful for Restoration
Work at cultivating a grateful spirit. Be thankful and take nothing for granted. Why don’t you thank God you’re alive instead of complaining about how bad your life is? So many people didn’t wake up this morning. Instead of complaining about the things you don’t have, thank God for the things you do have. Be thankful that you brushed your teeth this morning without help. Thank God for the bed you slept in last night. By default, your sentence should have been death. But God intervened on your behalf and rescued you from certain death. Through Christ, God has redeemed your life and has pleaded the case for your soul.
