BE 1 Corinthians 13

"God wants to heal our feelings."

WE'VE DIVORCED our feelings, which God knows and gave to us, from our trust in Him. Often, it is said to "walk by faith" means to ignore your feelings, or to show love to others doesn't require feelings. In fact, some say we should ignore them in order to do what's right.

God wants to heal our feelings. He is restoration of our soul (Psalm 23:3). This is the health of the mind, will, and emotions. He doesn't want us to feel angry and depressed while we obey His Word. He wants us to have His character, to BE 1 Corinthians 13. Verses 1 through 3 are clear. If we obey God without love, our actions are worthless. And verse 8, Love is eternal.

“Charity never faileth:” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Love is a feeling that causes us to act. Jesus is our example. He felt love for us, so He consented to death. Otherwise, according to the church definition, He was secretly angry and just being obedient. I hope no one believes that. No, He loved man SO MUCH that even death could not satisfy it. Resurrection was required so He could keep on loving us.

We are not supposed to give into anger (Romans 12:19), and not simply to avoid reacting to it, but to not feel it over anything anymore. Anger is a stronghold which needs the power of God to tear it down (2 Corinthians 10:4). And having been removed, God does not leave us empty but resurrects His Life within us. We so overcome it that we aren't bothered by that thing now.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

We are peaceful at all times. It isn't possible to ruffle our feathers. This is the state of mind of heaven. It is how Jesus felt when facing the cross. He spoke peace over His disciples and His joy to fill them, because He was peaceful with His eyes on the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

God is love. He is patient and kind. He always has been. He is not love and mercy today, but He was wrath in old times. Neither is He impatient and about to blow, what for waiting on us. Instead, He so desired to show love and to set down His wrath, He went to the greatest extreme, fashioning His own death, as God cannot die. He endured agonizing pain. He listened as man, who He loved, cast curses at Him. God who healed and delivered and set men free, died without anger, in order to never be angry. He felt pain, consumed with love, so that we'd never feel pain but only love.

Feeling love is the point. Faith only works by love (Galatians 5:6). Not just our acts of love for others that we're actually angry at, but we're so in love with our beloved Father, so in love with the Holy Spirit, we're so head-over-heels for Jesus, that we trust Them for anything without one doubt. Again, feeling love is the point. We can only have faith because we’re in love.

Ask God to heal your emotions then thank Him that it is done. And if you explode again, if you sink into depression again, ask Him again, knowing He loves you and casts no condemnation on you for asking, no matter how often that is or what the circumstances are. He never stops loving you. He can’t stop forgiving you. He has an eternity of blessings planned.

When you know His love, you will not struggle to love others. Or yourself.

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” (Ephesians 4:23)

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Photo by Sime Basioli on Unsplash


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com