When My Feelings Don't Feel Like Obeying God

There are just some things that I know I need to do—but I simply do not want to do. For instance, I do not want to exercise. At all. I roll my eyes at people who say they enjoy it.I’m like, “Really?”

My husband is one of those people. He enjoys exercise and gets grumpy when he can’t do it. He’s going to work out whether it’s cold, snowing, or inconvenient. Although sometimes I roll my eyes, I do admire his consistency.

Meanwhile, I try to exercise regularly, however it is mostly out of vanity—I'm being honest! I know I’ll feel better and look better afterwards, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it. I do it because I should, not because I enjoy it.

The same goes for so many other things in life.

I don’t always enjoy housework. I don’t always enjoy meal prepping. I don’t always enjoy writing or even studying God’s Word—but I know that I need to do these things. These disciplines help me stay connected to God, maintain a peaceful home, and live in a healthy body.

There was a season in my life where I found myself paralyzed. I wasn’t doing what I knew I needed to do simply because I didn’t enjoy doing it.

• I stopped exercising regularly.

• I stopped meal prepping.

• I let the housework slide.

I thought I was just tired, but God revealed something deeper—I was being deceived by the enemy.

It may sound strange, but I began believing the lie that I needed to feel good about everything before I did it. I thought I needed to enjoy every task or feel cheerful about every responsibility.

But the truth is this: I cannot be led by my emotions. Our emotions can be wonderful indicators, but they make terrible leaders.

Feelings Are Fickle

One day I’m obsessed with refried beans and salsa. The next day I can’t stand the sight of it. One day I love taking long walks in my neighborhood to pray and enjoy the sunshine. The next week I’m bored to tears.

Our feelings are inconsistent. They rise, fall, twist, and change—but God’s calling does not.

Scripture tells us:

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…” — Jeremiah 17:9

Translation: My feelings will lie to me.

My feelings will tell me I’m too tired.

Too overwhelmed.

Too unqualified.

Too behind.

Sometimes my body genuinely need rest—and God will show me that. But sometimes the enemy uses feelings like laziness, procrastination, complacency, and emotional paralysis as spiritual warfare to keep me from the will of God.

This is where discernment comes in.

Post workout selfie

Learning to Live Beyond Emotion

I’m learning to rely on the Lord for grace and strength to do what needs to be done regardless of how my emotions feel. Some things I must do out of discipline. I don't want to resent those things, but I also can’t wait until I “feel like it.”

Scripture reminds us:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace…” — Hebrews 12:11

I like this scripture because it is honest: discipline doesn’t always bring delight—but it always brings fruit. Yes, there is a promise that we will receive a harvest of fruit when we are disciplined!

During this time of year, it’s easy to become lackadaisical and spiritually sluggish. But I feel the Holy Spirit stirring me, whispering three words for this next season:

Discipline.

Diligence.

Focus.

These words are necessary because of what God has placed on my heart—launching recovery homes for men and women coming out of prison, and establishing a small-batch sewing manufacturing center in St. Louis. Those dreams will not be built on emotions. They must be built on obedience.

If I listened to my feelings, I would never accomplish the purposes God has ordained for me.

If I let my emotions lead, I would spend every day watching Netflix, eating chips and queso in bed, and calling it “self-care.”

Self-care is good.

Soul-care is necessary.

But I am asking God to give me discernment so I will know the difference between self-care and rebellion hidden under procrastination, complacency and fear. May God strengthen us to always be led by God and not our feelings.

Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either hanging out with my husband or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing business and ministry, called the Sew Hope Community Sewing Room. I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that serves prisoners and their families. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.

Yes, I wrote a book called Loving God More Than Food. It's a great read if you know God is calling you to love HIM more than food. Purchase on Amazon.