What Jesus’ Example Teaches Us About Feelings 

If you’re still feeling guilty about struggling to do the right thing, keep this in mind; Even Jesus didn’t always feel like doing the Father’s will. Think about the night before Jesus was arrested.

In Matthew 26:36-46, we read that Jesus spent all night in prayer, begging God the Father not to send Him to the cross. Did you ever realize that despite His commitment to fulfilling His Father's call, Jesus didn’t want to suffer and die? He dreaded the pain and anguish and begged the Father to spare Him if there was another way: “I am overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He told his friends. To God, he pleaded, “If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39, NLT 

Jesus’ desire was to live! His desire was not to suffer. But He wanted His Father's will more than He wanted His own. And that’s what Christianity comes down to, isn’t it? That’s what helps us say no to sin and yes to God. That’s what helps us say no to our feelings when they disagree with God: we want God’s will more than we want our own. 

And Jesus had other feelings and desires besides dread. He felt love for the Father and love for you and me. He felt concern for us and compassion for our sins. He wanted to save us, so He decided to listen to his feelings of love instead of His feelings of fear. Going to the cross was the hardest thing He’d ever done—the hardest thing anyone has ever done—and yet He did it out of obedience to His Father and love for you and me.

Jesus’ example is a huge encouragement to us whenever we’re tempted, battling our own feelings and desires versus God’s desires. You can imitate Jesus’ example of surrender and obedience:       

• when you want to click on a video you know God wouldn’t want you to watch;       
• when you want to participate in a gossipy conversation;       
• when you want to lie to escape consequences;       
• when you want to follow a person who’s not the best influence on you.

Here’s an encouraging Scripture to cling to whenever you face temptation:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience, and God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT

No, following God’s ways won’t always make you happy at first. But many, many times it will. And it will make you happy in much deeper and longer-lasting ways than anything else will. Even though denying yourself feels difficult in the moment, it feels good later on. When you click away from that website or walk away from that unkind conversation or speak that truth in love, your conscience is clear. A clear conscience is worth far more than any momentary pleasure sin has to offer.

And there’s more:       

• It feels good to please God.       
• It feels good to have a victory.       
• It feels good to find out you’re stronger than you thought.

And feeling good . . . well, it feels good!