Oh, there she is. I know that I need to go say hi to her, but every part of me doesn’t want to. Yes, she’s new here and probably needs friends. But why do I have to be her friend? Why can’t someone else talk to her?
Instead of doing the right thing and choosing to be friendly to the new girl, I stood in the church pew and watched her leave the building. Sure, I felt a twinge of guilt about ignoring her. But I just didn’t feel like talking to her. It wasn’t my responsibility to be the welcoming committee. I wasn’t obligated to speak to her. At least, those were the excuses that I formulated.
When You Just Don’t Feel Like It
Perhaps you’re in a similar situation. You know the right thing to do, but it requires so much effort. Maybe you’re deciding whether or not to wake up early to read your Bible before work, join a ministry that needs volunteers, or make an effort to work hard at your boring job. Maybe the “right” thing is tithing even though finances are tight, apologizing for hurting a friend, or working through marriage conflicts instead of getting divorced.
We rarely feel like doing the right thing. After all, why make our lives more inconvenient, uncomfortable, or difficult?
Because the Christian life—if we truly want to follow Christ—isn’t about feelings. It’s about how we behave regardless of how we feel.
Our Feelings Are Irrelevant
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praise? How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times! (Psalm 106:1-3 NASB)
The commands of the Bible require us to act in ways that honor God—whether we feel happy, depressed, cheerful, confused, full of faith, doubtful, excited, or lonely. He desires our service when we don’t feel like serving. He desires our dedication when we don’t feel dedicated. He desires our obedience when we don’t feel like obeying.
As the psalmist stated, God’s mercy doesn’t stop or shift; it goes on forever. Likewise, our commitment to God shouldn’t end or change when our moods and circumstances change.
Tough Questions for Me—and for You
Friends, what if going to church isn’t about if we feel like it? What if serving others isn’t about if we feel like it? What if worshipping God isn’t about if we feel like it? What if loving someone isn’t about if we feel like it?
What if _____ (fill in the blank with a biblical command) isn’t about if we feel like it?
I admit that I often act based on how I feel. But I know that that’s not how God desires His people to live. What if we “practice righteousness at all times” (v. 3)? We can do the right thing—no matter how challenging it feels—if we’re intentional and prayerful.
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