February 06, Fickle Feelings

Today’s reading: Psalm 26-30

“When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed” - Psalm 30:5-6.

It is easy to be optimistic and make commitments when things are going well, but difficult to keep those commitments when things are not going so well. When you have money, you can pledge your unfailing generosity, but you will be tested on that vow when money is tight. What’s more, you can determine what season you are in by how you feel without remembering that feelings can change, and therefore need to put your trust in the Lord regardless of how you feel. In fact, the less you feel, the more you should trust and rely on your values and previously-made vows to direct your behavior. Where are you too dependent on your feelings to direct your behavior, thereby subjecting yourself and others to your high “high” and low “lows”? Where do you need to be more consistent in your attitudes and behavior?