Trusting God When We Have All the Feels - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - June 24, 2025
"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
Many people believe that being an author involves writing day and night, 24/7. While it certainly involves putting words on paper, it also encompasses behind-the-scenes tasks, including marketing, email lists, giveaways, blogging, networking, podcasting, speaking, and more.
This past week, I hosted the Still and Strong Summer giveaway. I felt the Lord lead me to 8 other creatives, and, together, we gave away a $225 Amazon gift card, 9 digital resources, and copies of books. For months, I prayed over this event, put in the work, organized the materials, and prepped. On the last day of the giveaway, however, I felt a bit discouraged. The email sign-ups were nowhere near what we'd anticipated, and I felt I'd failed as a leader.
But that day, instead of leaning into my feelings, I chose to trust God for what I could not see. What I could not control. As Scripture reminds us, those who have seen God and believe are blessed, but even greater are those who have not seen Him and still choose to believe.
While today's focus Scripture is found in 2 Corinthians 5:7, I think it parallels quite well with Doubting Thomas' story in John 20:29: "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'" (NIV).
Around 4 p.m. on the evening of the giveaway, numbers had slowed. We were at 700 email subscribers. I prayed that God would bless this event far greater than I could ask or imagine. I asked Him to bless every person who signed up. I asked for souls that needed to receive the resources we had to give.
Less than twenty-four hours later, the giveaway closed. I mustered my courage and looked at the results: 7,713 emails signed up. Not only had He heard our prayers, but He ten-folded us. He multiplied our little into great abundance. He had given us far beyond what we could ever ask, think, or imagine, plus some! As Malachi 3:10 notes: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it" (NIV).
Today, if you're struggling to reconcile your faith with your feelings, I want you to know that you can do this. Even with all the feels, choosing to walk by faith and not by sight is possible. But what does this practically look like?
Walking by faith doesn't mean we ignore or invalidate how we're feeling or what we can see. Walking by faith means being real with God and ourselves about our emotions and circumstances, and processing them, but then placing trust and confidence in Christ, regardless of our circumstances. Our emotions are real, but they aren't always the indicator with which we should make our decisions. Rooting ourselves in faith, however, is stable. God's Word never changes.
Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that good things can come from what we do not physically see. And while it's scary, God knows what He's doing. In the case of this giveaway, I had no way to know how it would turn out. 700 or 7,000 subscribers, I knew that He was faithful and He was in control. But this verse reveals to us that confidence in Christ isn't about what we receive, but in whom we trust: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (NIV).
If you're struggling to balance faith with feeling, might I remind you that you're not alone? Might I remind you that God wants to hear about your emotions, and He cares about them, but He wants you to trust Him no matter what you're feeling? The next time you find yourself in a place of overwhelming emotion, share those feelings with God. Then, write down one truth from Scripture to declare over your life. This single step of obedience, even if it feels small, is an action of faith. It's saying, "I see you, circumstances. I feel you, emotions. But I will trust anyway."
Friends, feelings will come and go with the ebb and flow of life. Like waves in an ocean, it can be hard to keep up and hold your head above the waves. The waves are real. But God is the anchor that holds us afloat. Faith and feelings can co-exist. Just keep taking the next step—knowing He's with you, even there.
Let's pray:
Dear Jesus, We're so often told to choose faith over our feelings, but you tell us a different narrative. You care about our emotions and want us to come to you about them. When we're overwhelmed by the waves of this life, help us run to you. Help us trust your outcome, no matter what happens, knowing that we trust you above it all. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Pheelings Media
Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber
Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
