I’ve been reading a new devotional book during the last year called Jesus Calling.  It’s written from the first person as though Jesus were talking to the reader, and it is interspersed with Scriptures each day.  I’ve found it really, really good, and I’d highly recommend it to you if you’re looking for something fresh.

The opening lines of today’s entry really spoke volumes.  “I’m always available to you.  Once you have trusted Me as your Savior, I never distance Myself from you. Sometimes you may feel distant from Me. Recognize that as feeling; do not confuse it with reality.”

Jeremiah wrote “the heart is deceitful above all things – who can understand it?”  Our feelings WILL deceive us.  They WILL confuse us.  And the only way to battle against that successfully is to know what Truth is – what Reality is.   And that’s what we find in the pages of Scripture.

As a leader, you and I are not immune to feelings.  Feelings of inadequacy, feelings of failure, feelings of despondency – all of these were experienced by saints throughout history.  People like Moses, Elijah, Job, Peter – that’s a list of leaders that most of us would like to be like!  But like them, you and I are not immune to feelings.  How we respond to them, however, is our choice.

Listen to those words of Jesus again: “I’m always available to you.  Once you have trusted Me as your Savior, I never distance Myself from you. Sometimes you may feel distant from Me. Recognize that as feeling; do not confuse it with reality.”

Don’t confuse feelings with reality.  Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Remember what reality is, and when you’re tempted to feel alone, remember Jesus’ words.  When you’re tempted to feel inadequate, remember that you’re not alone.  Remember Whose you are, and remember Who you serve.  And speak words of revealed truth against those lies of the Enemy.

How do you fight against feelings that are contrary to the reality and truth revealed in Scripture?

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