Feelings are inner experiences that show how we evaluate or personally perceive something. They arise in response to thoughts, situations, or physical conditions and influence our actions.
Feelings can be viewed from three perspectives. From a psychological point of view, feelings are subjective perceptions such as joy, fear, anger, or sadness. They help us to quickly assess situations, for example, to recognize dangers through fear—a kind of protective reaction. At the same time, feelings cause physical changes, such as a faster heartbeat when we are afraid, a sense of warmth when we are happy, or inner tension when we are angry. Hormones and the nervous system play an important role in this. Feelings also influence our relationships. Through facial expressions, voice, and behavior, we show others how we are feeling. They can occupy space within us and give rise to envy, pride, shame, gratitude, romantic love, and many other emotions.
However, feelings should not be confused with emotions. An emotion is a process, or a reaction that comes from within a person, a visible or tangible expression. A feeling, on the other hand, is the conscious inner experience of this emotion. Feelings are like an inner compass, so to speak. They guide us in our decisions. Whether these decisions were ultimately good or bad is another matter.
Paul already formulated an interesting thesis when he wrote: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Here, Paul sets an important standard between “lawful”, meaning legally possible or not expressly prohibited, and “not helpful”, meaning not useful and edifying, not beneficial to life and relationships with God and others. Feelings can lead us to allow or justify something that is not good. So, the question remains: Does it serve my salvation, my life? Does it build me or others up? Or am I about to be controlled by this feeling?
Paul does not warn against feelings per se, but against becoming a slave to false desires, impulses, or inner states.
The Bible knows the concept of spiritual influence. It speaks of temptation, accusation, or seduction that comes from the adversary, from Satan. At present, many people’s feelings are being put to the test. Peter wrote: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
For true Christians, such influence is often a hard trial. Questions may then arise such as: “Does it lead to hopelessness with no way out? Does it lead to self-condemnation? Does it lead away from love and trust? Does it bring inner enslavement or compulsion?”
The Holy Spirit of God, on the other hand, is described as the Spirit of truth, peace, freedom, and love: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that trust in God must be our inner anchor, regardless of what we feel or experience.
Solomon wrote: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
And Paul wrote: “… we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
No matter what happens to us, feelings are as volatile as a flag in the wind – confidence today, doubt tomorrow; joy today, sorrow tomorrow.
God’s Word does not say that we should suppress our feelings, but that we should not make them our ultimate standard. God is described as unchanging, while the human heart can falter. That is why trusting in God is not a feeling, but a decision.
Trusting in God is not about never being afraid, never doubting, and always being strong. Rather, it means turning to God with our fears and doubts, as well as our anger and sadness, and asking Him for help!
Even Jesus prayed to His Father in great agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying: “…not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Perhaps it can be summarized this way: Feelings say, “This is how I experience it right now.” But faith says, “This is how God is – even if I don’t feel or understand it right now.”
Trust in God is like a foundation underlying changing inner states. It is not our feelings that carry us – it is God who carries us.
Our trust must always be rooted in God and not guided solely by our feelings.
David put it concisely: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8).
(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)