Dear ,

This morning I was jump roping, reflecting, and frankly feeling sorry for myself. God has promised me a wonderful blessing and it hasn't materialized in the timeframe that I expected. I was talking to God about it and telling him, "I don't feel like I'm any closer to having what you said. In fact, I feel like I am further away from it!"

 

And immediately, He answered me, "I know what you feel like. What does your faith like?"
 
The question startled me but I answered back, "My faith like is that I know all things work together for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. I know that I love God and I am the called according to his purpose. Therefore, all things are working together for my good, including this situation." (Romans 8:28)

 

Then I also remembered that the word says that the just shall live by faith. Nowhere does it say the just shall live by feelings! All believers have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ, therefore we live by faith.

 

The "feel like" versus "faith like" issue comes up a lot this time of year, especially when people make New Years Resolutions. They start out well, but sooner or later they quit because "I just don't feel like doing this today." And today stretches into tomorrow, next week, and soon the year is gone and they are no closer to becoming the person they want to be than before. In fact, they are further away because they've practiced the old habits for another year, which makes them more entrenched and harder to break.

 

It might surprise you to know that I don't always feel like taking care of myself. I don't always feel like exercising. I don't always feel like eating healthy. But my faith likes both of those things because in order to maximum my ministry to others, it helps to be physically energetic, healthy and vibrant! So faith controls my actions.

 

So my question to you is this...are you making health decisions based on "feel like" or "faith like"? If by "feel like" what will be the consequences if you continue to live this way? Write the consequences down in as much detail as you can. Make it vivid and real so that you can really see yourself living with them. Not fun, huh?

 

Everyday, I see or read about people who are destroying their bodies, health, and lives because they are living by feelings and not by faith. It is sad because they are choosing to live less than God's best for them.

 

Today, resolve to learn what God's word says about health and make this year one in which you act to take care of yourself, not according to feel like, but according to faith like! You will receive wisdom and strength to do this by God's spirit. All it takes is a big decision and a little faith!