Daily Devotional For Monday, April 6, 2026
Good morning Southside! Wow! What a celebration it was yesterday to praise God for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. There has never been a historical event that has changed history like the Resurrection. It literally split history in half BC And AD. Our calendar is dated by the Resurrection. That is how significant the Resurrection was and is. Many times in life when we build to these high and powerful emotional and celebrative events, we find ourselves a day or two later in a slump. Why? Our feelings suppress our faith. So, how should we handle this?
- We have to remind ourselves how fickle and fluid our feelings can be. We can be driving to a restaurant we love but see another we have not tried and have heard about, and change our mind and go there. Feelings do fluctuate and this is okay over meals and dinners and restaurants. But when it comes to our faith, our feelings can be destructive to our faith, to our identity in Christ, to personal relationships to others, to our calling of God as His disciples and to our obedience.
- Remember that while our feelings are real, they are also unreliable. Our feelings do lie to us at times. More than one person has become skeptical, suspicious and even hostile to God and to others all due to their feelings. This means that our feelings may have to be excuses if they are examined under the scrutiny of Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
- We have to be aware that our emotions or feelings confuse or distort the truth sometimes. There are times all of us feel that we are alone. That God is not close. We may even think or feel or express verbally, “God has abandoned me” or “God doesn’t love me.” Jesus says in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always.” This is His promise to us. Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:37-39). We trust our faith in Jesus, not our feelings.
- Fourth, we have to rely upon spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit and not our own disturbing feelings or emotions. We ask ourselves, “What is the Holy Spirit and Scripture telling me?” Ask, “Are my feelings in agreement with both the Holy Spirit and Scripture? Am I reacting emotionally or biblically? Is my response emotional or is it one of faith?
When we feel anxious or worried or fearful, we need to stop, pause and take a breath and name it what it is: anxiety. Sometimes God uses anxiety in us to get our attention and to help us heal from a previous wound or hurt. Anxiety, worry and fear say, “Freeze. Be paralyzed by this. Avoid it every way possible.” Easter worship is such a high emotional experience and then comes Easter Monday. We’re back to work or school and then reality hits. Jesus got out of the grave on Easter Sunday and we do not feel like getting out of the bed on Easter Monday.
Faith says, “Trust God. Push through it even if it is challenging and overwhelming.” Focus on what is important – faith, not what is urgent – fear. It never hurts to ask others for prayer and help. This is the point of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory” (NASB). That is where being in a godly and biblical community or small group helps. If you are not in one, join one.
Reflection Assignment: When you hit lows or are depressed, how do you act? What do you turn to to get through it? When you are anxious, fearful, and worried, what Bible verses give you encouragement and power to push through it? Meditate on them, not on your anxiety, worry or fear. Some of you have a Ph.D in worry. How about now working on getting a Ph.D. in Faith and Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture To Meditate On: Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (7) Then you 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” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, when I hit a low, remind me that You allow these valleys and You have promised me that You are with me in those valleys. Lord, forgive me when I allow my fears, worries and anxieties to control me. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly