“Be Careful, It Might be Slippery Out There”
June 10, 2011
After a recent dry spell, an unexpected rain shower blew through town. Knowing our son was out to eat with his girlfriend, my husband called to warn him the roads could be slick. We didn’t know it at the time but our almost grown son who has been driving for years was a bit offended by that warning. Later that week though, he shared with us that right after he left the restaurant, he saw two cars lose control on the oil slicked roads and he quickly realized the danger of the situation. All of a sudden he could appreciate that bit of driving advice and he stayed on high alert the entire way home.
Just as quickly as a rain shower can require us to maneuver more carefully while driving, an unexpected shower of emotions can cause us to slip in our steadfastness of faith in God. Haven’t we all been there? One minute you feel strong in your conviction and all of a sudden you are quivering like a bowl full of Jell-o. How does that happen? There are a myriad of reasons. Perhaps you heard a discouraging word; maybe an assignment you’ve been laboring over at work gets axed, or it could just be like that spring rain… an unexpected shower that triggers a downward spiral in your thinking. Why can’t we forecast those kinds of emotional rain showers?
Perhaps it is comforting to know that the writer of Hebrews knew the potential of powerful feelings. Hebrews 10:23 says this: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” To “hold fast” means to keep secure or to keep in firm possession.
What are we hanging onto here? The confession of our hope.
How are we to hold fast? Without wavering.
Why would we do this? Because He who promised is faithful.
Keeping our minds and hearts set on the faithful promises of God is the key to overwhelming downpours of emotions. Now, please understand I am not denying the importance of our God given feelings. Throughout our life we will experience seasons of grief and seasons of exultation. Our emotions are God given and they are powerful. We are made in His image and He feels for His people. What I am suggesting here is to learn some techniques to help us “hold fast without wavering” and be ready when the rain showers come.
Psalm 26 is a primer on how to raise the umbrella of fact over feeling. “I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.” The key I see here is to state your trust in the Lord without wavering and then ask Him to test your mind and heart. Let God examine your thoughts. Do they line up with His word or are you being deceived by the lies of the world? For every false feeling you can state, ask Him to give you a verse to negate it! For example, “I feel alone” is contrary to God’s promise of “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) This is a practice that takes discipline; just like learning to drive a car in on different road conditions and various terrain requires hours of practice and careful attention. But the end result is worth it – you will be prepared and spiritually alert in all kinds of weather.
Be careful, it might be slippery out there. (CT)
Looking for more words? Read all of Psalm 26 and list other ways you see to place fact over feeling.