Telling Yourself the Truth

I've talk to people who are troubled. They are Christians, but they are scared. They aren't sure they are saved. They aren't sure they are loved. Why? Primarily because "I don't feel loved." And I get it. Feeling loved is important and sometimes elusive. It is a problem. But this much we know:

Be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5) (Note: That double "never" is in the original Greek; it is not a typo.)

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom 8:35, 37)

God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)

For openers. Just a smattering of the promises and claims of Scripture. So, emotionally, am I loved? Sometimes it may not feel like it. But that's a primary mistake, isn't it? "Feel like it" is not a measure of biblical love. Biblical love is volitional. God chooses to love. Our version is emotional. We feel it. We love the people and things that are good to us, that are attractive to us. God's version is not that. Indeed, we had all better hope it isn't, because we are not attractive. We are not beneficial to God in our natural condition. So God chooses to love the unlovely and unloveable with His version of love and we are loved. And then Jesus tells us, "Love as I have loved you" (John 13:34). We're supposed to love each other that same way. By choice, apart from personal benefit or attraction.

Here's something else we know. Jesus called Satan "the father of lies" (John 8:44). He is "the deceiver of the world" (Rev 12:9). He deceived Eve in the garden (2 Cor 11:3) and blinds the eyes of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) and continues to prowl around seeking to destroy (1 Peter 5:8). Thus, we know the truth -- God demonstrated His love for us and will never leave or fail us -- and we know the lies from Satan. So who are we going to believe? Does God only love us if we feel like He does? Do we believe the lies Satan feeds us through our emotions or trust God and His Word? Will we fold to feelings or tell ourselves the truth?