Believing Without Feeling
When faith is a decision, not a mood.
On dry seasons and obedience anyway.
The big idea
Faith is not the feeling. Faith is what you do when the feeling is gone.
Opening scripture
“Faith means trusting what God promised even when you can’t see it yet. It’s confidence anchored in hope.”
What does “Believing Without Feeling” walk through?
Assurance Of Things Unseen
Hebrews 11:1 · KJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
In plain English
Faith means trusting what God promised even when you can’t see it yet. It’s confidence anchored in hope.
Unseen Is In The Definition
Faith is defined by what you cannot see or feel. A faith that only worked when it felt good would be something else entirely — probably enthusiasm.
But I Have Trusted
Psalms 13:5 · KJV
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
In plain English
But I have trusted in your mercy. My heart will rejoice in your rescue.
“Show up anyway. That is not hypocrisy. That is the practice.”
Hand To The Plough
Luke 9:62 · KJV
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
In plain English
Jesus said: no one who puts a hand to the plough and keeps looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Obedience Precedes Feeling
Almost everything worth doing gets done before it feels good. Prayer is no different and it is not cheating to start there.
Walk By The Spirit
Galatians 5:25 · KJV
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
In plain English
If the Spirit is our life, then let the Spirit set our pace.
Pray
God, I do not feel much. I am here anyway. Amen.
Write it down
What would you do today if you acted on what you believe rather than what you feel?
Keep walking
Feelings return. Habits carry you until they do.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Hebrews 11:1, Psalms 13:5, Luke 9:62, Galatians 5:25. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Hebrews 11:1
- Psalms 13:5
- Luke 9:62
- Galatians 5:25
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Hard Questions
All Hard Questions →Is Any Of This True?
Taking the question seriously.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
The oldest question, honestly.
When Christians Hurt You
Separating Jesus from the people who misrepresent him.
Deconstruction And Rebuilding
Taking it apart without losing it.
When God Feels Far
Silence is not absence.
Faith And Doubt Together
Both, in the same person.