God never promises that following him will be easy nor pleasant. Taking up your cross and following him takes sacrifice, obedience & suffering along the journey. Associate Pastor T.J Tyus provides tangible and biblical examples of obeying God’s word rather than your feelings. 

4:03 - “You can’t have execution an excuses.” 

11:15 - Hebrews 16:24. Following Jesus comes at a cost. Denying yourself of worldly pleasure takes yielding to the Holy Spirit daily while trusting him wholeheartedly in the uncomfortable situations. Faith in him will bring forth suffering and conforming to his way of living. 

15:22 - Galatians 5:16-18. Being guided by the Holy Spirit lowers the voice of sin. You can do the right things and still not be led by the Spirit of God. Humbling your heart makes it more susceptible to hear God’s word.

18:41 - “Feelings aren’t facts.” There’s a fine line between acknowledging that feelings are legitimate an assuming that what you feel at the moment is what God wants you to do. 

21:15 - “Prayer will always work, but God’s word states faith without works are dead.” James 2:20

26:11 - “People who operate under feelings will not understand people who operate under the spirit.” Operating under the spirit does not exclude you from having feelings. It shows you exemplifying strength that it will not override the instructions from the Holy Spirit about your life. 

27:35 - Hebrews 12:1. Sin is not the only thing that can slow us down. There could be distractions in your life that are weighing you down that lessen your faith! Run and build endurance in obeying and trusting God’s word! Don’t despise small beginnings. 

29:28 - “Jesus initiates and perfects our faith!” Hebrews 12:2

Turnaround Takeaways

 ⁃ Success is not produced overnight. 
 ⁃ Don’t be perfect, just don’t make excuses. 
 ⁃ Don’t serve your feelings over God!
 ⁃ Endure your trial from God! There is a great result awaiting your obedience. 

Biblical Examples Showcasing Feelings

⁃ Jonah running from God before being found in the belly of a whale. He was the leader needed to help other peoples salvation
- Samson let his raging emotions get the best of him.
⁃ David being led by feelings of lust which led to adultery and murder.