Living By Faith, Not By Feelings

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." — 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV)

Emotions are a gift from God, but they can also be difficult to navigate. Feelings like anger, fear, anxiety, loneliness, and frustration can overwhelm us if we aren't careful. Yet the Bible teaches us that we are more than just our emotions—we are spirit, soul, and body, and God desires to sanctify all of who we are. God has given us emotions for a purpose, but He calls us to live by faith and truth, not by feelings. When emotions threaten to take over, God’s Word provides wisdom and peace to guide us.

As human beings, we are wonderfully complex. We are spirit, soul, and body. The spirit is the eternal part of us that connects directly with God. The soul is the seat of our mind, will, and emotions. And the body is what allows us to interact with the world around us.
Each part affects the others. For example, unresolved emotional struggles like anger or bitterness can weigh heavily on our hearts and even manifest physically in stress or illness. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:23,  God desires to make us whole and holy in every part of our being.

What the Bible Teaches About Emotions

1. Emotions Are a Gift, But They Shouldn’t Rule Us:
   God designed emotions as part of His creation. The Bible gives us examples of righteous anger (Jesus clearing the temple), deep sorrow (David pouring out his heart in the Psalms), and even joy in trials (James 1:2). These emotions reflect God’s image in us, but they were never meant to control us.
   Our spirit—the part of us that is born again and connects with God—should take the lead in our lives. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” Breaking it down, he says, "I" (that would be the spiritual part of himself) discipline "my body" (the physical part). With God’s help, we can also bring our emotions under the control of our spiritual self as well.
2. Faith Is Greater Than Feelings:
   Feelings can be deceiving. One day, we might feel close to God; the next, we might feel distant. But God’s truth doesn’t change based on how we feel. A new believer, for instance, may feel far from God the day after their salvation, but the promise of God's presence remains: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
   Romans 12:2 encourages us to renew our minds with the Word of God. When we fill our thoughts with God’s Truth, our emotions begin to align with His Word. Living by faith, not by feelings, brings peace and stability, even when life feels uncertain.
3. The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit:
   The Bible describes a constant tension between the desires of the flesh and the work of the Spirit in our lives. Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV) says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
   This battle plays out in everyday life. Imagine planning a meaningful prayer time, only to find yourself distracted by hunger, exhaustion, or worries. The flesh (your body) resists the things of God, but the Holy Spirit within our spirit can and should win the battle.

Reflection Question: What emotions have been controlling your thoughts and actions lately? How can you bring those emotions to God and align them with His truth?

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating me as a whole person—spirit, soul, and body. I confess that I sometimes allow my emotions to control me instead of surrendering them to You. Please help me to live by faith and trust in Your Word, even when my feelings tell me otherwise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Adapted from "God's Answer for Anger": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/jcn6r6s/1-god-s-answer-for-anger