The Crucial Difference Between Feeling and Being

We feel happy. We feel guilty. We feel safe. We have many feelings, and they change as easily as we get them. While the purpose of feelings are to give us feedback on our state, ie, if we did not feel hungry, tired, scared, we would have to commit eating, sleeping, and protecting ourselves to a fully rational decision, which takes time and would likely result in one's death. We feel, we act. Then we think. That is the easiest process we follow. Most of the time, we justify past behaviour, not choose future behaviour. While this is not a problem for individual acts usually, our overall direction should not be based on feelings, but on a rational choice to accept Truth. If we enslave ourselves to our feelings, we are led by the flesh alone and are living a futile life.

In regards to sin, we may feel joyful, innocent, hopefully, and secure, but that does not mean we are. Likewise, we may feel miserable, sorrowful, isolated, and alone, but that does not mean we are. God is not a sensory experience, but He Who Is, the all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfect One who is the Beginning and the End, who created all so we may be able to love and be happy with God forever. A biological/psychological state in the mortal body is a passing and ultimately futile guide. If we expect to feel the grace of God, then we will fall victim to illusions, and many do. The most perfect state of life, the ascetic consecrated life in accordance with the Evangelical Virtues does not usually bring pleasure to the flesh, but the unspeakable joy in the soul exists. The worldly only see the mortification and how limiting that is!

We may deceive ourselves, and others, but ultimately, what we are is what we are, and what we feel will pass with our flesh.

Do we seek the perfection of God, who is beyond this world and in whose image we were created, or do we seek the passing illusions of the flesh?

No wonder we were so strongly warned to be vigilant to avoid being lead astray. We are pulled by our fallen nature in all directions, but only the will cooperating with the grace of God can find happiness.