Well, it's kinda weird, because worship is not based on feeling. Any part of our lives can be worship to God, if they are placed before Him as a sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
I think that even if you feel the way you do because you are wrestling through some kinda issue w/God and don't feel like singing "I Love You, Lord," it's okay. As long as you don't stay there too long.
I think the wrestling shows faith, and faith is what makes it possible to please God. I think wrestling puts you in a particular position of deepening belief, without which our faith might remain pretty shallow. In the same way, I would say that questions, doubts, and even anger towards God show real emotional response to the more absurd elements of our faith... stuff like, "Be joyful always" or "Do not worry" or "Fix your eyes on the unseen." As we come before God, sometimes our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. Somehow, we have to just try and think of what God wants from time to time, and not so much how we feel... kinda like Jesus asking the disciples to keep watch, but they kept falling asleep, you know?
I think my knee-jerk answer to this question would be to find a way to worship that you are still willing to do sincerely. Maybe not necessarily singing and lifting your hands, but possibly prayer? Dancing? For me, if I don't feel like doing any type of worship at all, I know that at the very least, I can pray and give this feeling over to God. If I'm tired, ask him to remove my weariness, and give me the attitude of a worshiper. At least I know that it's in God's hands now.
Isn't prayer really the answer to everything? When you boil it down to the basics, the nuts and bolts, it comes down to prayer. Whenever you need something, or find yourself in trouble, or you don't know what to do, pray. Wouldn't you say prayer is applicable in almost all situations?
And, I agree with you that this page could use some TLC.
don't go chasing waterfalls... please stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to... i know that you're going to have your way or nothing at all... but i think your moving too fast.
i think in a bit of an oversimplistic way... prayer is the answer to everything. but what does that mean to most people? that might seem trite as advice when someone is struggling deep within the heart.
but i like what you said earlier ken about giving the feeling over to God... even if the feeling is "God you suck... or God I don't understand why you do xxx... or I feel this and it sucks..." he can handle it and navigate through the struggle and confusion...
job did it... and God knew the response he needed to go to his heart. i think the hard part is that i think sometimes we don't want to go to God. we're afraid of his response... we're afraid that prayer doesn't change anything... or we just want to battle it out ourselves and wallow in some misery.
but freedom does lie within that simple heart communication with God... he can handle it with tenderness.
8 comments:
Well, it's kinda weird, because worship is not based on feeling. Any part of our lives can be worship to God, if they are placed before Him as a sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
I think that even if you feel the way you do because you are wrestling through some kinda issue w/God and don't feel like singing "I Love You, Lord," it's okay. As long as you don't stay there too long.
I think the wrestling shows faith, and faith is what makes it possible to please God. I think wrestling puts you in a particular position of deepening belief, without which our faith might remain pretty shallow. In the same way, I would say that questions, doubts, and even anger towards God show real emotional response to the more absurd elements of our faith... stuff like, "Be joyful always" or "Do not worry" or "Fix your eyes on the unseen." As we come before God, sometimes our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. Somehow, we have to just try and think of what God wants from time to time, and not so much how we feel... kinda like Jesus asking the disciples to keep watch, but they kept falling asleep, you know?
I think my knee-jerk answer to this question would be to find a way to worship that you are still willing to do sincerely. Maybe not necessarily singing and lifting your hands, but possibly prayer? Dancing? For me, if I don't feel like doing any type of worship at all, I know that at the very least, I can pray and give this feeling over to God. If I'm tired, ask him to remove my weariness, and give me the attitude of a worshiper. At least I know that it's in God's hands now.
I'm curious: Why did you post this question?
just for discussion. felt like this page wasn't getting enough TLC. and no elton... not t-boz, left-eye, and chilli.
Isn't prayer really the answer to everything? When you boil it down to the basics, the nuts and bolts, it comes down to prayer. Whenever you need something, or find yourself in trouble, or you don't know what to do, pray. Wouldn't you say prayer is applicable in almost all situations?
And, I agree with you that this page could use some TLC.
don't go chasing waterfalls... please stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to... i know that you're going to have your way or nothing at all... but i think your moving too fast.
that's for you nate...
i think in a bit of an oversimplistic way... prayer is the answer to everything. but what does that mean to most people? that might seem trite as advice when someone is struggling deep within the heart.
but i like what you said earlier ken about giving the feeling over to God... even if the feeling is "God you suck... or God I don't understand why you do xxx... or I feel this and it sucks..." he can handle it and navigate through the struggle and confusion...
job did it... and God knew the response he needed to go to his heart. i think the hard part is that i think sometimes we don't want to go to God. we're afraid of his response... we're afraid that prayer doesn't change anything... or we just want to battle it out ourselves and wallow in some misery.
but freedom does lie within that simple heart communication with God... he can handle it with tenderness.
So true...
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