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feelings

Christian Vlogger Advises On Self-Control, ‘Don’t Bank On Your Feelings’

by Christel Berns September 18, 2023

Christian vlogger with over 260,000 YouTube subscribers advises Christians struggling with self-discipline and self-control, saying, “don’t bank on your feelings.”

How To Be Disciplined

Vlogger Ashley Hetherington shared some advice with her followers about self-discipline. Specifically, she shared six points hoping what she’s learned will help encourage other Christians.

Ashley Hetherington. (Screenshot). (2022). HOW TO BE DISCIPLINED, Retrieved September 18, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/5oprYDW58Ro

Here are the six points Ashley shared:

1. Lean into Grace.

“Just lean into grace because it’s going to be easy for you to beat yourself up after you failed,” Ashley said.

When we fail to do the things of God with discipline, we can easily decide to label ourselves as failures. Remember, our acceptance is based on God’s love, not on our performance. Don’t let fear of failure stop you from trying again.

2. Don’t bank on your feelings.

“You need to do the thing before you feel like doing the thing,” Ashley said next. “Because once you do the thing, you will feel great. But before you do the thing, you might not feel like doing the thing.”

As Christians, we live by faith and not by our feelings. We cannot let our feelings led us. Feelings are good indicators of what’s going on inside, but they aren’t good leaders.

CHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGIST RECOMMENDS READING THE BIBLE TO KIDS

3. Ask God to help you.

The Christian vlogger clarified that “God wants to help us with self-discipline.”

It is important to rely on the Spirit of God, who gives us the strength and the discipline to do the things God is asking and calling us to do.

4. Do it for the you 5 years from now.

“The daily disciplines that you do today might not look like they make a big difference in today,” Ashley explained. “But five years from now, they will make a huge difference.”

Do the right thing each day, be consistent, and you’ll see the fruit of your efforts. Fruit take time to cultivate and grow. We must commit to the process.

5. Get a habit tracker.

Ashley also shared about getting a habit tracker, which can be helpful on our journey to growing in self-discipline. There are numerous apps you can download on your phone to help keep you on track and stay disciplined.

6. Set realistic goals.

“Pick five things that you want to grow in this season and set realistic goals for those things,” Ashley advised.

Do not try to accomplish everything at once. Take things one step at a time. For example, applying set goals for your Bible reading and spending time with God.

HOW TO BE DISCIPLINED (christian advice on self control)

Watch this video on YouTube

Reference | YouTube – Ashley Hetherington

Header Image: Ashley Hetherington. (Screenshot). (2022). HOW TO BE DISCIPLINED, Retrieved September 18, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/5oprYDW58Ro

September 18, 2023 0 comment

Faith Spotlight

When You Aren’t Feeling Your Best

by Lauren Koch August 15, 2022

written by Lauren Koch

Praise God that our feelings are not the truth. Regardless, they are valid, real, and something we either get to learn from, or be ruled by. When you aren’t feeling your best, consider these two valuable truths…

Running to the wrong things will only temporarily relieve your soul

Emotions are indicators. They tell us where we might have a trigger, opportunity for healing, or where the current state of our nervous system is. When we partner with Holy Spirit, asking for His wisdom, we don’t need to merely eradicate our feelings. Understanding why we have strong reactions gives us compassion for ourselves. Simultaneously, it unlocks freedom from being controlled by our emotions. When you aren’t feeling your best, it’s easy to take whatever measures needed to feel better. If that’s watching too much TV, scrolling your phone, or even filling all your time with friends. What if, instead, we allowed our minds to be quieted, we sat with those feelings, and surrendered to God’s healing?

“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalms 145:18)

Not feeling your best is an opportunity to build endurance

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

In our moments of difficulty, the last thing we want to hear is how hard times build our endurance. But the truth is that they do! If you are in an extended period of not feeling your best, the sustaining hope and promise of struggle building endurance provides you a sense or purpose you otherwise could not have.

August 15, 2022 0 comment

Faith Featured

Breaking Discouragement

by GOD TV June 17, 2022

written by GOD TV

Deuteronomy 1:21 says this, “See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it, as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” This is a word from God, encouraging His people so that they would actually go and take possession of what was promised to them.

The two things that He warned them of that would cause them to stay back instead of moving ahead, were fear and discouragement. And today I want to give you three quick keys to help you overcome fear and discouragement in your life, so that you possess all that God has for you. The first thing I want to say before any key is that, I believe that discouragement of fear are opportunities rather than setbacks. You have an opportunity right now, if you’re facing these things, to grow in courage and to grow in boldness. That is exciting. I would encourage you to smile and even laugh and jump up and down, because you are about to grow.

The first key I want to give you is, to take a risk. Go and take a risk today. Often when I am riddled and locked up with fear and discouragement, I will make myself go and share the gospel, pray for the sick, and do something outside of my comfort zone, so that I step into God’s comfort zone, which is where the believer was always meant to live. So take a risk today. Do something that gets you out of your head and into your heart.

The second thing is, I want to encourage you to focus on what’s ahead instead of what’s behind. Discouragement and fear are locked up in what our past experience was, while courage and boldness are focused on what God has promised. And this is true in the story of the Israelites. Joshua and Caleb were compelled to go, because they didn’t give in to discouragement and fear.

And the third key I want to give you is, don’t wait for the right feeling. Believe the right belief. So many people are locked up in discouragement and fear because of what they are feeling. They’re so focused on their feelings that they, “I feel discouragement so close to me, I feel so afraid,” that it’s transformed their beliefs to serve those things instead of transform those things.

So here’s what I want to challenge you to do today. Change your belief instead of trying to change what you feel, because when you change what you believe, your feelings will always follow. So to wrap up those three keys, to overcome discouragement and fear, take a risk, focus on what’s ahead instead of what’s behind, and don’t focus on changing how you feel, focus on changing what you believe. God bless you.

________

How To Intentionally Lift Your Spirit

by Lauren Koch June 15, 2022

written by Lauren Koch

Take Captive Your Thoughts

What thoughts are you entertaining? How quickly are you willing to submit what passes through your mind to the word of God? If we are not intentional, the enemy uses our mind like a playground for his agenda. In Christ, you are free from this influence. Lift your spirit in the daily practice of becoming aware of what thoughts are in your mind, and aligning them with the truth of God’s word.

^“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Lift Your Spirit with Worship

As you learn to take captive your thoughts, aligning them with God’s word, a spirit of praise will stir up inside of you. God’s design for us is incredible! Our vision of His beauty and truth in the word brings our hearts to respond with adoration and worship for who He is. Thankfully, we have the power to choose to worship at any time. There are times when worship does not feel “easy” or natural. In these moments, tell your spirit where to go. Meditate on Psalm 96:

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
²Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
³Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Remembering who He is transforms our own perspectives. It lifts our spirits to dwell with Him.

June 15, 2022 0 comment

Faith Featured

Don’t Let Your Feelings Lead You

by GOD TV March 15, 2022

written by GOD TV

Man, going by our feelings can be one of the biggest traps to fall into. I’ll just be honest, especially as a woman, I’m a woman I’m going to come at this from a woman’s perspective and our feelings can be all over the place sometimes. I think that sometimes they can be used to keep us from going to that next level, from experiencing the breakthrough.

At our church, we have this women’s prayer meeting that happens every Thursday morning. And when I wake up on Thursday mornings, do I feel like going? Heck no, most of the time I do not. I’m tired, it’s towards the end of the week. But every time I go, and just push through that, feeling tired, feeling whatever it might be, I come back feeling so refreshed. So refreshed after spending that time with the Lord, after being encouraged by other women, after really digging in in a time of prayer, it’s just powerful.

But it’s not just about the prayer meetings. There’s other things like when God is calling us to just step out in faith about something, do we feel like doing it? Most of the time, 99% of the time Mike and I do not. We have to push past and just say, “Hey, it doesn’t matter how we feel. It doesn’t matter if we want to just stay cozy.” If we want to stay cozy and comfortable and never push past the feelings of being tired or not wanting to do things, that’s going to limit us so much from just experiencing breakthrough from being able to be ministered to, to minister to others.

So, I just want to encourage anyone who’s listening to this and watching this, who maybe God’s put a calling on your life to do something big, but it’s hard. You’re in a season where that might require you to be working on that after you get home from work, or to be going out on Sundays and serving at your church even after a long week at work. I just want to encourage you to push past the feelings, to put the feelings aside, to not fall into that trap of “I’m just going to follow my feelings and let my feelings dictate what I do with my life, and what I’m going to follow the Lord in. ”

So I pray right now, Lord, I pray for anyone listening to this who needs to hear your voice and follow your voice over their feelings. I pray that we would be people, men and women, who follow you and are led by your Holy Spirit to do the things, to use the gifts, to speak the words that you’ve put on our hearts and not follow our feelings, follow, that “Oh, I’m tired. I’m not going to do that, or that’s going to be hard, or that I might fail at that,” that we wouldn’t listen to those, and that we would listen to the Lord. So I pray that over you today. Blessings.

________

Don’t Be Led By Your Feelings, Be Led By Jesus

by Christel Berns July 11, 2021

written by Christel Berns

Many women fall trap into a wrong relationship because they paid attention to their feelings more than listening to what Jesus has to say. Are you one of them, or you know someone? If so, then this is for you.

Feelings are just indicators.

It’s very interesting that many people base their decisions on feelings. For example, impulsive buying at a sale in the mall because you feel like you’re going to miss out if you don’t. Or else, saying ‘yes,’ to something you really don’t want to do.

These decisions might appear good from the start, but after all those “feelings” fade, you’d end up realizing it was a bad decision. Buying those clothes on sale took up your budget for your apartment rent, and now you’re struggling.

Decisions made based on “feelings” can be dangerous.

That is why Relentless Woman, don’t be led by your feelings. Instead, look to Jesus. Pay attention to His truth and allow God’s Word to shape your decisions. That doesn’t mean you’d be like a robot and ignore your feelings. You just have to learn how to process your emotions.

Always remember that how you feel is not always the truth. We need God’s wisdom in every decision we have to make.

ALSO READ: Relentless Woman, Choose Someone Who Brings You Closer To Christ

Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today!

Read God’s Word For You Today directly from your phone. Download the Daily Word app now in Google Play and Appstore!

July 11, 2021 0 comment

Articles Video

How To Deal With Insecurity And Feelings Of Rejection

by Christel Berns July 9, 2021

written by Christel Berns

At some point in our lives, we all have faced rejection. Perhaps it may be one of the most painful memories of your childhood. In this episode of True Vine Stories, Rev. Betty King shares practical ways to deal with insecurity and overcome rejection.

True Vine Stories

True Vine Stories starts with a scenario of two women welcoming members as they enter the church. One lady shared her heart saying she felt rejected by one church member because she ignored her on several occasions. She also blamed her for causing her a lot of stress, anxiety, and feeling alone. The woman listening insisted it was just her thoughts. But the woman was sure how she felt was the truth.

Rev. Betty King explains, “insecurity and rejection not dealt with can find its way to a place and pollute the whole waters.”

Insecurity And Feelings Of Rejection

Further, she explained that God always leads us to a place where He confronts us with our issues. God does that because He loves us. She also shared about how people go into a defense mode if they’re not willing to address specific issues in their lives.

“But if you want to change, you’ll see that that place is a safe place for you to really begin to address those issues,” she remarked.

Insecurities that aren’t dealt with also expose themselves when you are given favor and end up polluting the whole environment.

Rev. King went on to share how God wants us to bring to places “to be free from these toxic emotions that have hindered us.” If we don’t deal with these issues, we won’t be able to bear fruit no matter where God takes us.

She then turned to the Scripture and shared Saul’s example of an insecure leader. Saul wanted to kill David.

Watch as she finishes the video with a prayer to overcome insecurity and feelings of rejection.

Be blessed and be free!

Overcoming Rejection; True Vine Stories with Betty King

Watch this video on YouTube

Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today!

Read God’s Word For You Today directly from your phone. Download the Daily Word app now in Google Play and Appstore!

July 9, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Relentless Woman, Stop Chasing Feelings And Listen To God

by Christel Berns May 25, 2021

written by Christel Berns

Sometimes we associate what God is speaking with how we feel. It may be true for some, but most of the time, it isn’t. It’s dangerous to only go off of how we feel. That’s why we need to always consult God first through His Word. This way we won’t have to chase feelings but listen to God.

Feelings Can Be Deceiving

It’s easier to trust our feelings because whenever it kicks in, it sends an intense signal to our soul, dictating to us that how we feel is the truth. But in reality, our feelings and emotions change a lot over time. One moment you’re happy, then another moment you are sad. Just because you feel down today doesn’t mean you will never be okay tomorrow. It’s just how you feel at the moment, and it could change over time. That is why we could never associate truth with how we feel because feelings are deceiving.

So, what should we do when our emotions overwhelm us?

Read God’s Word. Reading the Bible is the safest place, because the truth in God’s Word remains the same in this holy book. We should submit our thoughts, feelings, and emotions according to what the Word of God says.

For instance, if you feel overwhelmed by the things of this world and then you decide to seek God through His Word, and you’ve read to seek Him first above all things. Suddenly, how you feel will be subjected to His Word instead of chasing things just because of how you feel. Again, how you feel is not always the truth; God’s Word is.

The example mentioned earlier is just one example. But it’s how we should practice listening to God and not trust our feelings.

So, dear relentless woman, it’s time to let go. It’s time to stop chasing feelings and start listening to God.

“This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:8-9

May 25, 2021 0 comment

Articles

I Don’t Run On Feelings. I Run On Faith.

by John Mathai April 12, 2021

written by John Mathai

Feelings are real and this is what makes us human. To feel is to know who I am as a human. Our feelings teach us what it means to empathize with another. When we see someone crying we naturally respond with sadness. And when we see someone laughing and happy, we too feel happy. Feelings make us feel alive and present. We could be having a happy or sad memory and this could evoke feelings from the past. Feelings however are like the weather and will pass. When we allow our feelings to dictate our decisions then we could run into problems. They should only alert us and guide us to make the right decisions and not decide for us.

Feelings are not good or bad

Emotions are not right or wrong. They are just feelings. Some of us feel guilty when we feel angry. This compounds the problem. Anger is good when it is controlled. It means something is not right. If we have a sense of justice then anger could be a response to being wronged. So also other feelings are just responses to a situation or person. They are not the end but only a guide to help us come to a decision. We must never let our emotions dictate how we decide on an issue because our emotions can cloud our judgment. In this case, it is best to take a break and decide later when we are more composed.

Self-control

A self-controlled person knows how to use his feelings to help him decide and not to decide for him. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Such a person knows when to use his emotions to his advantage. Feelings can help us to move away from danger or wrong relationships. Without emotions, we become like a stone. We don’t react and people find us cold and distant, which affects our relationships. No one wants to be friends with a cold and distant person. People are attracted to warm and vibrant others.

Faith

Running on faith is to be led by the Holy Spirit. This does not discount feelings but feelings are secondary. Faith calls for trust in the fact that God is in control. It believes and so is prepared to take risks. Faith does not depend on emotions but depends on the word of God. His word fires up our faith to do what appears impossible or illogical. Faith moves me to pray for someone on his death bed. I operate in faith when I am surrendered to His will and His purpose. Faith what God and it operates in the unseen world and brings the miracle into the seen world. God spoke both worlds into being. We can create in both worlds when we run on faith.

John Mathai

April 12, 2021 0 comment

Articles

How To Overcome The Spirit Of Overwhelm

by Jennifer LeClaire July 20, 2020

written by Jennifer LeClaire

Sometimes life can be absolutely overwhelming. The enemy is an expert at coming in like a flood with crushing circumstances. And he brings disturbing thoughts that try to drown you in feelings of helplessness and even hopelessness. “Overwhelm” is an enemy I’ve fought many times over the years, and defeating it starts with understanding what it really is.

Merriam Webster defines “overwhelm” as: to affect (someone) very strongly; to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with; to defeat (someone or something) completely. Overwhelm also means: upset, overthrow; to cover over completely, submerge; or to overcome by superior force or numbers; to overpower in thought or feeling.

Of course, you can be overwhelmed simply from a natural perspective with too much work or too many facts or too much opposition. But the enemy likes to work in our naturally overwhelming circumstances to apply spiritual pressure. When that spiritual pressure mounts, too often we look for a way of escape rather than trusting in the Lord for His sufficient grace to meet the situation at hand.

David Understood Overwhelm

Don’t feel ashamed in your battle against overwhelm. David understood these feelings all too well. He once wrote, “My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.'” (Psalm 55:4-8)

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I could fly away and escape. Yes, this is the same David who ran to the battle line to defeat Goliath without a second (or fearful) thought. And this wasn’t the only time David felt overwhelmed. Another time he wrote, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2) And again, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path.” (Psalm 142:3)

Steps To Overcome Overwhelm

The first step in battling overwhelm is to recognize it and acknowledge the situation you find yourself in. Denying feelings of overwhelm won’t help you conquer your flesh or the devil. Once you’ve acknowledged the reality of an overwhelmed heart, you can work with the Holy Spirit to get to the root of these feelings.

What is causing this overwhelm, really? Is the enemy blowing it out of proportion? Is it really as bad as it looks, or is this pressure demonic? Put your circumstances—and your emotions—into perspective. Is there anything you can do right now in the natural to relieve some of the burdens you feel? Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom in the midst of this trial.

panic-fear

God Is Not Overwhelmed

While you wait for this pure wisdom that comes from above, meditate on Jesus. Get your mind off the overwhelming circumstances and onto the Word of God. Pray for grace, strength, and whatever else you feel you need from Father at the moment. Remind yourself of His promises.

And remember David. When he was overwhelmed with Saul hunting him down and with Absalom trying to overtake his kingdom and with his baby son dying and with even his own sin, he always turned to God. Here is one of his prayers for help in troubling times that you may want to pray for yourself:

“I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord. I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. And I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me; There is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name; The righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me.’” (Psalm 142). Amen!

July 20, 2020 0 comment

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