Faith Over Feelings: How to Trust God When You Don’t Feel It
There are days when faith feels effortless—when worship stirs your heart, prayer comes easily, and you feel God’s presence in every moment. But then there are the other days. The days when doubt creeps in, when Scripture feels dry, and when emotions whisper, “Maybe God isn’t as close as you thought.”
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Every believer experiences moments when their emotions seem to contradict what they know to be true. But faith isn’t built on feelings—it’s built on truth.
The Danger of Trusting Feelings Over Faith
We live in a culture that constantly tells us to “follow our hearts,” as if our emotions are the most reliable guide. But the Bible tells a different story.
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" — Jeremiah 17:9
Our emotions shift based on circumstances, but God’s truth remains steady.
If we based our faith on feelings alone, we’d be on an emotional rollercoaster—one day full of confidence, the next filled with doubt. But faith isn’t about what we feel in the moment. It’s about what we know to be true.
But what do we do when our feelings don’t line up with our faith?
Biblical Examples: When Faith Had to Overcome Feelings
David: Trusting in the Midst of Despair
David, a man after God’s own heart, wrote many psalms that reflected his deep struggles with emotion. In Psalm 13:1, he cried out:
“How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?”
David felt abandoned, yet by the end of the psalm, he declared:
“But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.”
He didn’t wait for his feelings to change before choosing to trust.
The Disciples: Fear in the Storm
The disciples faced a similar struggle when they were caught in a storm. In Mark 4, as the waves crashed around them, they panicked, fearing for their lives. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep in the boat. To them, His silence felt like indifference.
But the truth was, He was always in control. He calmed the storm with a word, reminding them—and us—that fear doesn’t mean God is absent.
Jesus: Overcoming Emotion in Gethsemane
Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, experienced deep emotional anguish. He prayed:
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” — Matthew 26:38
Yet, despite His emotions, He surrendered to the Father’s will, saying:
“Not my will, but Yours be done.”
His obedience wasn’t based on feelings—it was based on trust.
How to Anchor Your Faith in Truth, Not Feelings
If we can’t rely on our emotions to determine God’s presence or His faithfulness, what should we do?
1. Hold onto what is true, even when you don’t feel it.
God is with you, even when you feel alone. (Matthew 28:20)
He hears your prayers, even when you don’t sense an answer. (1 John 5:14)
His love never wavers, even when your emotions do. (Romans 8:38-39)
2. Keep praying, even when it feels empty.
Prayer isn’t about getting a feeling; it’s about staying connected to God.
Even a simple, honest prayer of “Lord, I trust You” matters.
3. Stay in the Word, even when it feels dry.
God’s truth doesn’t change, even when our emotions do.
Reading Scripture regularly renews our minds (Romans 12:2), shaping us to trust Him more deeply.
4. Remember that obedience matters more than emotion.
Faith grows when we choose to trust, even when it’s difficult.
Some of the greatest spiritual breakthroughs happen in seasons of perseverance.
Faith That Stands Firm
Our emotions may fluctuate, but God’s truth never does. If we live by feelings, our faith will always be unstable—high when things are going well, low when challenges arise.
But if we build our faith on the unchanging character of God, we can stand firm, even when emotions tell us otherwise.
"We live by faith, not by sight." — 2 Corinthians 5:7
We could also say:
"We live by faith, not by feelings."
Even when you don’t feel it, God is still faithful.
Even when you don’t feel strong, He is still your strength.
Even when you don’t feel close to Him, He is still near.
A Prayer for Today
Lord, thank You that my faith is not dependent on my emotions, but on Your truth. Help me to trust You, even when I don’t feel Your presence. Strengthen my faith so that it stands firm, regardless of how I feel in the moment. Remind me that You are always near, always faithful, and always working. Amen.
Have you ever had a time when your feelings told you one thing, but God’s truth proved otherwise? What did you learn from it? Let’s encourage one another in the comments below.
