August 10, 2026 Devo

There is a common mistake that many people make. They let their feelings dictate their actions. When they feel down, they isolate rather than get around people who might lift their spirits. When they’ve had a setback, they fixate on that setback rather than focusing on all the other good things that are going on in their lives. When they are going through a dry time spiritually, they will tend to put down their Bibles, disconnect from their small group, or stay away from church. Doing that is self-defeating. Actually, it’s worse. We help the Enemy in his plan to keep us living discouraged and defeated lives!
Let’s flip this around. Don’t FEEL your way into actions, ACT your way into feelings! Take a look at the prescription the psalmist gives. “It is GOOD to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.” Why is it “good?” There are many of reasons! When you give thanks, you are making yourself think about all the things that you have to be thankful for. You remember the blessings. You remember the answers to prayer. You think about all the incredible people God has placed in your life. As you give thanks, you begin to FEEL THANKFUL!
It’s the same with praise. When you praise God, you are thinking about how good He is. You dwell on His amazing grace. You think about His incredible faithfulness. You sing about His power and glory. As you’re praising Him, something wonderful happens. You begin to FEEL that praise! There are times in worship where I’m singing a song, and I just can’t stay seated any longer. I have to stand and raise my hands. I feel like shouting and dancing. But I rarely start off feeling like that. I simply start praising God. And the more I praise Him and think about who He is and all He’s done, the feelings start washing over me. I don’t feel my way into worshipping. I worship my way into feeling.
I don’t know what kind of day or week you’re having, but this much I know. Dwelling on problems and troubles will only magnify your feelings of doom and gloom. Don’t emotionally self-destruct like that. Don’t help the Enemy get the best of you. Don’t wait until you feel like seeking God to start leaning into Him. Begin giving thanks for all that He has done. Begin praising Him for all that He is. Do it not only because He deserves it, but because YOU deserve it as well. You don’t feel your way into action. You act your way into feelings. That’s God’s Word for you today.