Clearly, what we have in Scripture is a paradox. On the one hand, we are told to expect suffering and hardships that could even cost us our lives. On the other hand, we are encouraged to be joyful, thankful, and “of good cheer.” How do those contradictory ideas link together?

For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, it just makes good sense not to depend too heavily on our ability to make the pieces fit—especially when we’re trying to figure out the Almighty! Not only is human perception a highly flawed and imprecise instrument, but our emotions are even less reliable. They have the consistency and dependability of Silly Putty.

We can’t depend on our feelings and passions to govern our lives or assess the world around us. Emotions are unreliable—biased—whimsical. They lie as often as they tell the truth. They are manipulated by hormones—especially in the teen years—and they wobble dramatically from early morning, when we’re rested, to the evening, when we’re tired. One of the evidences of emotional maturity is the ability (and the willingness) to overrule short-lived feelings and govern our behavior with the intellect and the will.

(From Dr. James Dobson’s book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense.)

Just Between You and God

• Are you able to find joy in the dark valleys and be thankful in spite of difficult circumstances? The Lord can give you the grace you need to do so. Ask Him to enable you to live by His truth so you can experience healthy emotions that righteousness produces.
• Do you make decisions according to what feels “right” or by biblical truth? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to Scriptures that will help you make wise decisions in both good and difficult circumstances.

Pray These Words

Jesus, You are my Savior! Thank you for rescuing me from my sin, and I ask for your protection from my emotional choices that keep me from rejoicing in You in the midst of my suffering. Let Your Spirit guide me to Scriptures that will shine the light of Your truth into my confusion and encourage my heart. Bring biblical clarity to my mind. Amen.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

1 Peter 4:12-13

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