Faith vs. Feelings

‘You can feel 1,000 ways in 30 days about the same thing.’
-Joyce Meyer

So true.

Are you giving your feelings more power than they should have? Are you basing the choices you make on feelings? Do you feel overwhelmed or trapped by your feelings?

If you are, I have some news for you. You’re not alone. Been there, done that.

Problem is, living our lives according to our feelings is a risky and often potentially harmful course to set. Feelings are so fickle. The quote above illustrates that. They are, as the language reads in many event schedules, ‘subject to change’ and chances are they will prove to be misleading in the process.

Yet, we give so much credit to our feelings. It’s so easy to let feelings lead the way. But, let me suggest something else. Base the decisions you make for your life on the truths contained in this book, and…

…let faith guide you through the maze that is life here on Earth.

You will still experience difficulties. Things will still go wrong. Stuff will still happen that won’t make sense. You may still get hurt. You won’t get everything you want. Life won’t magically become perfect.

But, what will happen is you’ll find a sense of peace you’ve never known before toward the circumstances of your life. Those hard times may still come, but you’ll have the strength to face them and do so in a way you never thought possible.

You’ll still have your feelings and emotions, but you won’t be basing your life on what they tell you to do. You’ll be living by faith, not feelings.

If you never have before, I encourage you to open up this wonderful book sometime. If it’s been a while, let me encourage you to get back into it. There is so much truth in there.

Have a great day.

1 Peter 1
⁵You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do. ⁶On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while. ⁷Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns. ⁸You have never seen Jesus, and you don’t see him now. But still you love him and have faith in him, and no words can tell how glad and happy ⁹you are to be saved. That’s why you have faith.

Dreaming Big in Peoria

Big things are happening in Peoria, Illinois.

Recently, the YWCA of Peoria announced it was filing for bankruptcy and closing. Clearly that is not a good thing.

However, just this week, Dream Center Peoria announced it will be taking over several programs that would have otherwise been lost as a result of the impending YWCA bankruptcy.

Read more and watch the brief news report here: http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=279062

From the article:

The Dream Center continues to expand, and now it’s picking up programs nearly lost, when the YWCA announced it’s closing.

It’s taking on the YWCA’s cot program, where anywhere from 20 to 70 women and children sleep every night.

It will also be in charge of the Village Apartments, a two-year transitional home.

Wow. What a blessing.

Executive Director Andy King said the following as part of his comments to the media, “We know there will be a miracle involved in this.”

I love that. Believing that God will supply a miracle to help sustain the $350K surge in DCP’s budget is just one of many reasons why I love this organization. What a great example of stepping out in faith that can resonate with everyone – in our community and beyond.

So, to my friends in the blogging world and everywhere, please keep Dream Center Peoria in your prayers if you would. This decision is one that will enrich many, many lives and keep a large number of people off the streets. It wouldn’t have happened if the folks who run the Dream Center hadn’t decided to walk by faith. It won’t continue without support.

Amy Grant will be at the Dream Center Thursday, October 18th. Here’s hoping people will come out and support this organization at that event and also in the weeks and months to come.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have a good day.