“Feeling better has become more important to us than finding God.” ~Larry Crabb (1944-), psychologist & author
I read this quote and said, “Huh.”
Out loud.
And then, as I am wont to do, I read the words again and thought, “Is it true? For me?”
This quote smacked me across the face and brought me to my knees.
I spent all day being busy, busy, busy. You knowing … doing stuff. The kind of “important” things that make me say (not out loud), “I’ll be right with you, God, once I get this other stuff done.”
And then I read this quote and got slam-dunked by 11 little words.
Because why was I doing all that stuff? The writing and the errands and the connecting with other people and the do-this-do-that demands that can eat up the minutes and hours of a day before I realize it …
I’ll tell you why: Because at the end of the day, I wanted to feel good about myself. I wanted to pat myself on the back, brush and floss my teeth, climb into bed and go to sleep thinking, “Not bad, Beth. Not bad at all.”
But in the midst of all the doing … did I miss God?
Possibly.
Probably.
Life is not about feeling better — although too often that’s my goal. At the end of the day, I’d much rather have seen glimpses of God — his majesty, his grace, his lovingkindness.
Because really … how can you feel bad when you’ve seen God in your day to day life?
In Your Words: Your choice: Feel better or find God?
Comments 23
Good stuff, this!
I was talking with a co-worker yesterday, actually, about how we’re actually more peaceful people when we stop asking ourselves how we feel about everything. In so many cases, it doesn’t matter! So when we focus on God and what is true, rather than things as fickle as our own feelings, we get an invasion of peace. So yeah, I vote finding God. (Which, incidentally, often does make a person feel better…but it’s a better kind of feeling better, if that makes any sense.)
Everything you wrote made sense, Melissa.
🙂
Find God because when I do, I feel better.
I can relate to what you’re saying. I’ve discovered myself doing the same thing only I forgot to floss.
Floss, Jess, floss.
And I’m with you: find God, which always makes me feel better.
Especially on days like today when the vertigo decided to show up again.
Sheesh!
Wow, an excellent and convicting wake-up blog. I’d write more but need to go complete my devotions. Yes, at the end of the day, finding God has to be the best choice.
I had to do the same thing, Dee — stop reading comments and go Pray in Color.
🙂
Half an hour before I read your post I made a decision. I had so many things to do…did I jump right in or did I read my devotional for today? After a short wrestle, I opened the devotional and these words popped out: Time with Me cannot be rushed. (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)
I took a deep breath and released it, then settled back for some quality/quantity time with God. And now I am prepared for what may come today.
Great post, Beth.
I keep hearing wonderful comments about Jesus Calling.
Need to invest in that book.
This is my 3rd year to read it each morning. If you get a copy, be sure and get the journal. Every day I see where I was a year ago, two years ago.
Find God. Finding God doesn’t always make me feel better about who I am, but it always reminds me of the God who loves me passionately, completely, and unconditionally. This, helps me to remember to find my identity in Jesus rather than in how I feel or what I do. Going to spend some time with Jesus in a little while. Thanks for that say-out-loud, “Huh” thought.
Love your insight into this conversation, Jeanne.
Always do.
I disagree completely with Larry Crab’s sentiment as a fact of what people do or should do. I disagree that life is about the physical “feeling good” which can relate to the desires of man. I do believe we must seek a better balance between the physical and the metaphysical. It is a better usage of our time on earth to limit the short-term “feeling gooditis” and learn to see signs of God in our everyday lives. Thank you, Beth Vogt, for posing this interesting question.
Amanda,
Thank you for joining the conversation today. I appreciate your insight — and agree we should avoid the short-term “feeling gooditis” — such a great way of putting it!
Wow, that quote hits right between the eyes. We live in such a self-gratifying culture, and whether we want it to or not, sometimes it seeps into our own lives. When feeling better is the goal, our lives become littered with idols of all kinds rather than God. Thanks for your thought-provoking words today.
Donna,
Self-gratification leads to idols of all kinds.
Well said, friend. Well said.
I like what Jess said. Finding God gives us a much deeper sense of “feeling better” than our feeble attempts at it could ever bring.
I like what Jess said too, Lindsay.
🙂
Yep – I’m definitely guilty of this too. I’m a huge creature of comfort. I think most of us are. It’s what kept me from saying yes to adoption for so long.
So glad that you said “Yes” to adoption, Katie. Love hearing about your story.
Much rather find God, like you said in the end, how can you feel bad if you’ve been with God?
It seems we’re all in agreement, TC: find God. We all feel better when we do that.
Definitely find God. Our feelings don’t always lead us in the right direction, as we all can attest. My day always goes better when I don’t short-change my time with God. Sometimes, when there is something deeply painful going on, opening myself up in prayer is difficult. It actually hurts more because it brings the issue to the forefront. But then, God takes it and changes it…transforming it in a way that gives me new encouragement and strength.
Hi, Marney!
I appreciate your honesty — and agree. Thank you for joining the conversation.