May 6, 2018
We Need More Than Better Moods
You therefore, beloved, since you know
this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being
led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen
(2
Peter 3:17‑18).
Although we'd often like to feel better emotionally, that is not the thing that
we need most.
What we need, much more than any "inspirational" uplift, is to make
actual progress in the quality of our character. The spiritual life
is not primarily about
feeling better. It's about
change for the better. It's about growth. It's about
real, objective movement toward God. Regardless of the fluctuation
of our feelings, being a Christian means growing
"in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Reevaluation.
The daily question we need to ask ourselves is not "How am I feeling?" but "Where am I in relation to God?" Paul wrote,
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5). Answering that question
honestly may not give us a cozy fireside feeling, but it will open the door to
something we need more than better moods: genuine growth.
Repentance.
Honest reevaluation of ourselves won't help us, of course, unless we have the
courage and the will to make the changes that our self‑inventory has pointed out
a need for. And when changes need to be made, we don't need a speaker or writer
who'll make us feel wonderful, just as we are. We need a friend who'll provoke
us to repent and move forward in our character.
Renewal of Commitment.
The chances are good that many of us already know about areas in which we need
to improve, based on past examinations of ourselves and decisions to do better.
Falling backwards is a habit that we all have. So the third thing we need, more
than better moods, is to get a fresh grip on our commitments every day.
Significant spiritual progress comes from the frequent remembering — and
remaking — of our promises to God.
That man is perfect
in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and his
desires, without a glow or an aspiration, with the weight of low thoughts,
failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to him, "Thou art my
refuge because thou art my home."