Saturday, April 13, 2013

What do I do when I don't feel like loving God?

First of all, I would like to point out that loving God is innate. It is not something that we have to work for, or acquire as we live "godly" lives. Remember that we are spirits living in a mortal body and God is a spirit, actually he is the Father of all spirits (Hebrews 12:9) and His Spirit pours His Love into our hearts (Romans 5:5);  it is a natural yearning of our spirits to love God. So, this post isn't about how to eventually fall in love with God, not like there is anything like that. 

In the Bible, David talked about his yearning for God in his psalms saying "deep calls unto deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me" (Psalm 42:7) and how much he yearns for God's Presence saying "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." (Psalm 84:10).

However, it does happen that we Christians, God's children, have moments when we feel like we don't love Him. I think this is something many of us are faced with as we live busy lives and fill our days with worry; sad, but true. And it does not help that there is a foe hellbent on a pull-down ministry where he looks for who is weak, who is alone and who may give an opportunity to him. And then, there is our flesh with its deceit and its desire for all things that lead to death (There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12)).

At the end of the day, with all these working against Christians, it is unfortunate that "the way" becomes unappealing and our communion with God feels clouded with guilt and never-ending resolutions to do better. But, we have to realize that although God hates sin, He loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Also, Jesus made it clear that He did not come for the flawless, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do. I have not come to call those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." (Mark 2:17).

Therefore, while it is not encouraging to feel unloving towards God, it has got be encouraging to know that He loves us dearly, without wavering, even when we falter. That why He says though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. (Proverbs 24:16). I love how the New Living Translation puts it: The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

The reason we don't stay down, lie down or feel guiltless in sin is because our spirits love Him. It is because He is there for us and it is because we have already overcome. Therefore, our spirit by His Spirit, will always yearn for better, for growth.

In conclusion, I would like to leave two points. Firstly, the whole of creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time, we also, as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:22-30). Therefore, you are already predestined, called, justified and glorified. It's like Jesus said "I have ordained you to bear much fruits, and that your fruit will remain" [You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)]. Both passages are so deep, I would not even speak more on that. The whole point is: quit worrying.

Secondly, we operate by the Spirit and not our feelings. So when you don't "feel" like you love God, keep praising, keep singing, keep reading the bible, keep engaging God's Spirit and watch the Spirit in action. You'll discover pretty quickly that the Spirit of God that dwells in you yearns jealously for you (James 4:5).

All the best!!!