Living Beyond Feelings: Embracing Truth in Christ
Have you ever felt like your emotions define you? That your worth or your reality depends on how you feel in the moment? For many, feelings seem to carry undeniable power, shaping decisions, relationships, and even faith. But what if living by feelings isn’t the way God designed us to live?
As believers in Christ, we are invited into a life of rest, a life grounded not in the ups and downs of feelings but in the unwavering truth of God’s Word. This is not about ignoring or denying emotions but about seeing them in their proper place—secondary to the truth of who we are in Christ.
This journey begins with understanding a crucial reality: our feelings are real, but they are not always true.
Feelings: Powerful but Deceptive
Feelings are powerful and deeply personal, but they don’t define truth. Scripture warns us about relying solely on our emotions:
Proverbs 28:26: “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Our feelings often flow from our thoughts, and when our thoughts are rooted in lies or misunderstandings, our feelings will mislead us. For instance, if we think we are unloved, we may feel rejected, even though God’s Word declares we are deeply loved and cherished (Romans 8:38-39).
Yet, how often do we let feelings dictate our actions, beliefs, and even identity?
The World’s Path: Feelings First
Many people live according to this pattern:
I feel.
Because I feel, I act.
Because I feel and act, I believe.
Because I feel, act, and believe, I declare it as fact.
For example:
“I feel anxious, so I act cautiously. Because I feel anxious and act cautiously, I believe I’m a fearful person. And because I feel, act, and believe it, I declare, ‘I am anxious.’”
This pattern turns feelings into facts, but it’s a distorted reality. If we live by this cycle, we allow fleeting emotions to define who we are, rather than letting God’s truth guide us.
God’s Invitation: Truth First
God calls us to live in a different pattern:
Facts (Truth): Start with what God has declared to be true.
Faith (Belief): Trust His Word, even when feelings or circumstances contradict it.
Action: Act in alignment with that truth.
Feelings: Allow emotions to follow, rather than lead.
For example:
Fact: I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Faith: I trust that this is true, even if I don’t feel different.
Action: I walk by faith, living as if I am new, because God says I am.
Feelings: In time, my feelings align with the truth as I consistently live by faith.
This is not about denying feelings but about choosing to trust and act on God’s truth, even when feelings lag behind.
Living by Faith: The Daily Practice
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:7 remind us: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Living by faith means grounding ourselves in God’s promises and character rather than our immediate perceptions or emotions.
When Jesus faced Satan’s temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), He countered lies with truth from Scripture. His actions were rooted not in how He felt during His physical hunger and exhaustion but in the unchanging Word of God. Similarly, Paul exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.”
This doesn’t mean we must counter every negative thought with a specific verse. Instead, it’s about living in the reality of our identity in Christ. By trusting what God says about Himself and about us, we live out of the Spirit, allowing Him to guide our actions and organically produce His fruit in our lives—love, joy, peace, and more (Galatians 5:22-23).
Freedom in Christ: A Life of Rest
Jesus calls us to a life of rest, not striving. In Matthew 11:28-30, He invites us:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This is not a checklist approach to Christianity. It’s about surrendering our self-reliance and embracing the light burden of trusting Christ to live His life in and through us.
As we live out of our identity in Him, we find that peace, joy, and love are not things we must strive to feel or manufacture. They flow naturally from the Spirit’s work within us. By denying the desires of the flesh and trusting the Spirit’s leading, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.
Practical Steps: Embracing Truth Over Feelings
Recognize the Source of Your Feelings:
Ask yourself, “What thought or belief is driving this feeling?” If it doesn’t align with Scripture, reject it and replace it with God’s truth.Anchor Yourself in Scripture:
Meditate on verses that declare your identity as a new creation in Christ, such as:“I am a new creation in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“I am accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
These and so many other truths are your birthright in Christ.
Act on God’s Truth:
Take tangible steps to live in alignment with what God says about you. If He says you are His beloved child, approach Him in prayer with confidence, not fear (Hebrews 4:16).Trust the Spirit’s Work:
Yield yourself to God as a vessel, trusting Him to guide your thoughts, actions, and feelings. This is not about mustering strength but about letting Christ’s life flow through you (Galatians 2:20).Be Patient with the Process:
Feelings may take time to align with truth, but God is faithful. Keep walking by faith, knowing that His Spirit is transforming you day by day, moment by moment (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Closing Encouragement
Living by faith, not feelings, is a journey of trust and surrender. It’s a life where Christ, not our emotions, becomes the foundation of our identity and actions.
This message of living by faith is deeply inspired by the insights of Paul Travis, a collaborator with Grace Fellowship International. His work on understanding the relationship between feelings, faith, and truth has helped countless believers walk in the freedom of their true identity in Christ.
As you walk this path, remember: your feelings may waver, but God’s truth never changes. He has made you His beloved child (1 John 3:1), and His promises are your firm foundation. Let His truth guide your thoughts, actions, and feelings as you rest in His unfailing love.
Will you take the step today to live out of truth rather than feelings? The journey may not always be easy, but the peace and freedom found in Christ are worth it.