The Truth About Your Emotions and Your Relationship with God

Recently, I had been feeling off for a few days. Part of it was certainly anxiety, but I was unsure of the root cause, and I was getting tired of not feeling fully like myself.

I found myself praying over and over again, "God, restore my joy. Help me to feel more like myself again, so that I can feel close to You again." Oh, Abba. He's so kind to me. Finally, one morning after I woke up and prayed this prayer, He so gently reminded me that feeling off doesn't mean He's distant, and it doesn't mean that I have to feel far from Him. My emotions don't have to be in tip top shape to feel close to God.

In fact, God reminded me that the opposite is true: when we're not feeling our best, we get to grow deeper in dependence and intimacy with the Father. God isn't waiting for us to be all happy and put together to speak to us; He wants to meet us right where we're at, as long as our hearts are open and we're surrendered to Him.

So take your feelings to God. Be vulnerable and honest with Him, and our Heavenly Father would love to speak life into you and encourage you. Keep opening up your Word, even when you're not excited about it, because God still wants to teach you and challenge you. Your emotions only stop you from connecting with the Lord if you let them - and we don't have to let them!

I also want to encourage you (and teaching this to myself, too), that feeling "off" doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, sinned, or separated yourself from the Lord. For a long time I believed that if I wasn't feeling like I was on a mountain top, it's because I messed up and that was the consequences to my actions. That's simply not the truth, and it's a lie from the enemy. Your emotions do not dictate your status with God (that's what the cross is for), and you don't need to work back God's favor.

The enemy would love if we allowed ourself to stay distant from God because we believed that we had to be feeling joyful or happy to experience His presence. The enemy would be celebrating if we were content with a rollercoaster of a relationship with our Father because then we'd be vulnerable and weaker, somewhat connected to the vine - but somewhat not. I don't know about you, but I don't want to give the devil any sort of satisfaction or foothold - ESPECIALLY when it comes between Abba and I.

So, we must perservere. God reminds me that He doesn't want perfect faith (or perfect emotions), but that He wants faithful surrender. You don't need to be happy or content or put together all the time to be a good Christian or to walk faithfully with God; you just need to be surrendered. It's not easy, but there's no pressure to show up as anything but as you are, and allow the Lord to work from there. Don't allow an off day, a sad moment, or a season of anxiety to separate you from intimacy with the Father, because God wants to walk alongside you through all of that. Keep showing up for your time with Him, even when it feels like you have no words to pray. Remain in community, when it feels like you have nothing to offer or pour out. Sing during worship, even when the words fall flat on your heart.

It's not about going through the motions or being fake; it's about being faithful to continue meeting with the Lord, His people, and worshipping Him, refusing to allow our feelings disrupt communion with God. It's not about pretending we're okay, it's about showing up vulnerably and continuing to allow space for Him to move. Because as long as you are faithful to make room for Him, I assure you, the Lord will be faithful to move in your life, encourage you, and refresh your soul.

I don't want to let my emotions hold me back from being in God's presence, recieving His encouragement, or producing fruit through the Holy Spirit. I don't want to miss out on God because I was feeling "off" that day. And I don't want that for you, either, friend. Let's be people who are so committed to the Father that we are willing to press through any feeling, worldly barrier, or sense of "distance" to meet Him.