Odds are, if you talked to ten different people about what makes them feel good, each of them would say something different. Most of us want these positive feelings in our lives, so much so that we seek relationships, situations, and other blessings that we believe will keep us in joy and bliss. However, we can be confident that God hasn’t left this subject uncovered. He has lots to say about it in His Word. The psalmist declares in Psalm 16:11 (NLT), “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Also, in Philippians 4:7 (NLT), God tells us that if we replace anxiety and worry with thankfulness and prayer, we “will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” So, while we may have a million definitions for what makes a person feel good, our Heavenly Father has given us the truth about what genuinely feeling good really means.
In the world, people often search for happiness in temporary things like material possessions, success, or even the approval of others. These things can be nice and often provide satisfaction, but it’s temporary. It won’t last, leaving us sometimes feeling depleted and wondering why we keep chasing after things that, at the end of the day, will not bring us lasting joy. God tells us in Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT), “4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” God has a plan for us! We have a destiny in Christ, so our lives are not random, and we should not conduct them that way. We’re here for a short time, and God tells us to use that time wisely. This means that our energy and resources should not be used on whims. With the Holy Spirit living within, we should allow him to guide us as we walk the path of God’s purpose and plan for our existences.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” True feelings of well-being are the result of the fruit of the Spirit, especially joy, peace, and goodness. This makes it clear that feeling good is a direct result of renewing our minds to God’s Word and living according to what it says. This truth is often spoken to us, but sometimes it doesn’t land on our hearts. We must understand that every detail—every experience, event, and encounter in life—will always bring us back to God’s Word. Jesus Christ said in John 6:63 (NLT), “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Every time that we believe and act upon a truth in God’s Word, the vitality of the life of Christ is added to us. It’s an incomparable richness that cannot be compromised by anything in this world.
In heaven, there is no sadness, loneliness, bitterness, or regret. Faith and gratitude fill every corner, because in our Heavenly Father’s presence, everything is glorious, and doubt cannot exist. These two, faith and gratitude towards God, should shape our thoughts, conversations, attitudes, and actions. Everything we do should be rooted in them. As Colossians 3:17 (NLT) reminds us, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” God’s Will is that we move toward a place where every emotion we experience is grounded in faith and gratitude, and from this foundation, our happiness will flow. It is a place where our confidence in Christ fills us with joy from within and makes us feel good at all times.
Jesus said in John 8:12 (NLNT), “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Because of Jesus, we don’t have to walk in darkness. It’s a conscious choice to allow the light of Christ within us to shine to its fullest extent. It requires our deliberate effort to embrace his light, enabling it to illuminate every part of our lives, no matter the circumstances or challenges we face. This means choosing to rise above the darkness in others and the difficulties around us, refusing to be overcome by negativity, fear, or doubt. Instead, we stand firm, grounded in God’s unwavering love and limitless goodness. By doing this, we not only reflect the light of Christ but also become a beacon of hope to those around us, showing that his love has the power to transcend any darkness.
So often, we don’t appreciate all the wonderful ways that God has blessed us until those things are threatened. Then, it’s often too late because we allowed cynicism and doubt to replace the faith and gratitude towards God we should have had. We can actively and genuinely feel good when we make the conscious choice each day to align our whole being with God’s love and Word. It’s to embrace faith and gratitude, and to trust that His plan for us is filled with purpose and joy. True fulfillment doesn’t come from external sources, but from within—rooted in the peace and strength we find in Christ. When we choose to live in faith, let go of bitterness, and choose gratitude in all circumstances, we allow God’s joy to fill our hearts and guide our actions. Remember, no matter what we face, the power to feel good is always within our reach, as we choose to live each moment with faith, hope, and unwavering trust in God’s goodness. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Feeing Good Is A Choice”, written by Kim Times, edited by Rev. Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.