Devotions

Feelings shouldn’t lead, they should Follow

I have always appreciated what the Apostle Peter wrote in the first of his New Testament books.

• 1 Peter 4:19 – Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Half hearted faith wont’ hold you when the winds beat against your life.  If you want to get through a storm then you need to stick to the promises that God has made you in His Word.  You didn’t commit to Christ just for the pencils on Friend Day or the potluck dinner on Homecoming Sunday.

• You committed to Christ because you needed forgiveness for your past and hope for your future.

Crisis times make good payback times – good times for telling the Lord how much you love and need him.  Let me share this though in an acrostic with the word Problems.  Something all God’s children experience.

• P – redictors that will mold your future

R – eminders that we are not self sufficient – we need God and others

O – pportunities that will pull us out of our rut and spur us to move on

B – lessings that open doors that we usually do not go through

L – essons where each new challenge will be our teacher

E – everywhere because no one is excluded from problems

M – essages that warn us of potential danger

S – olvable because no problem is without a solution

Difficulties in life are training sessions in which God teaches us how faithful He is and how much we can depend on his promises.  Problems make some people bitter – but they have also made some people better.  Don’t let your feelings lead because then your choices will have to follow.  Make your choices first then your feelings will have to follow.  I choose to let my problems bring me closer to the Lord.  How about that I feel better already.