Praise the Lord, we are continuing on our journey through the Heart Check blog series. In my last blog post, Heart Check, I gave a foundation to help you understand the significance of our heart as humans as it pertains to God. We must examine our hearts, align them with God's desires, and understand the importance of emotional and spiritual self-awareness. Today, we're taking this exploration one step further by diving into a truth that I never want you to forget: God has feelings, too.
It's a sobering truth that as the American Bride, the church in this nation of America often struggles with selfishness. I want us to look at this blog post like a letter to the American Church. AKA the body of Christ here in America. Our pursuit of God has sometimes been tainted by a transactional mindset, seeking what God can do for us rather than genuinely desiring to know how He feels. We've reduced our faith to a list of rules to follow, missing the profound essence of an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Intimacy requires knowing someone deeply, understanding their heart, and empathizing with their emotions. And just like in any relationship, you can't be truly intimate with someone you don't know. As the church, we must shift our focus from self-centered desires to a heartfelt pursuit of understanding God's feelings, desires, and character. Doing so can cultivate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Creator—one built on love, empathy, and authentic intimacy.
In this blog post, I will explore the emotions of our Heavenly Father, emphasize the importance of asking the Holy Spirit how He feels, and provide guidance on aligning your heart with His desires. You'll read words of encouragement, heartfelt prayer and walk away with prayer points for your personal reflection and growth.
God's Emotions in Scripture
Many might be surprised to learn that the God of the universe experiences emotions just like we do. Scripture reveals numerous instances where God expresses His feelings. Let's check out some of these passages:
1. Love - John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
The human mind can't truly understand God's love for humanity. His heart aches for every lost soul, and He demonstrated this love through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. As we examine our hearts, we must ask ourselves: Do we love others as God loves us? Do we forgive and show mercy to others?
2. Grief - Genesis 6:6
"The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled."
We see God's grief over the sinfulness of humanity. This is sobering and a reminder that our actions can deeply affect the heart of God. As we engage in our Heart Check, we should reflect on how our choices may grieve or please our Heavenly Father. When I truly begin to think about grieving God, it makes me sad. I know the feeling of grief. I don't want to make God feel that way.
3. Joy - Zephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
I will never forget the first time I ever read this Scripture. The mere fact that God sings over us is so beautiful. Did you know that God finds joy in His children? Just as an earthly parent rejoices in the presence of their child, God delights in us. This verse reminds us that we bring joy to God's heart when we walk in obedience and intimacy with Him.
4. Anger - Psalm 7:11
"God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day."
This is a familiar one. Most people know that God gets angry and about his wrath, but many don't understand why. It's because He is just. While God is loving and compassionate, He is also just. There are times when His righteous anger is provoked by sin and injustice. Our Heart Check should prompt us to seek forgiveness for areas where we have sinned and to stand against injustice in the world. God is not just sitting and waiting to get angry.
Asking the Holy Spirit How He Feels
As Christians, we often pray to God, pour out our hearts, and seek His guidance. But how often do we pause to ask the Holy Spirit how He feels? The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force; He is a person of the Godhead who dwells within us. God lives in us. He experiences emotions and desires our spiritual growth and alignment with God's heart.
To develop this spiritual sensitivity, start by praying and meditating. But make sure that you set aside time to do it. Make it a priority. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His emotions to you, to show you areas in your life where you may be causing Him grief or joy, and to guide you in aligning your heart with God's desires.
Aligning with God's Desires
Aligning our hearts with God's desires is a lifelong journey. It involves daily surrender, repentance, and seeking God's will in every aspect of our lives. Here are some practical steps to help you in this process:
1. Daily Surrender
Begin each day with a prayer of surrender. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you and empower you to walk in alignment with God's heart.
2. Self-Examination
Regularly examine your thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Are they in line with God's Word and character? If not, repent and seek His forgiveness.
3. Seek Guidance
Pray for wisdom and discernment to understand God's desires for your life. The Holy Spirit is your counselor and guide; rely on His leading.
4. Study Scripture
Delve into the Word of God to better understand His character, desires, and principles. Meditate on Scripture to renew your mind. (Renew that mind ya'll seriously)
5. Serve Others
As you grow in your alignment with God's heart, seek opportunities to serve and love others selflessly. This reflects God's heart for humanity.
Words of Encouragement
In the midst of our Heart Check, it's essential to remember that God's love for us is unwavering. No matter how much we may stumble or fall short, He is always ready to embrace us when we turn back to Him. His grace is sufficient, and His mercy is abundant.
I want to encourage you today to continue seeking God's heart and aligning your desires with His. It's a beautiful journey of transformation and intimacy that leads to a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.
Let's Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you with hearts open and humble, seeking to align our desires with yours. We acknowledge that you have feelings and emotions and desire to honor them. Forgive us for the times we have grieved your heart with our actions and choices.
Holy Spirit, we invite you to reveal your emotions to us. Help us understand when we bring joy to your heart and when we cause you grief. Guide us in the way of righteousness and lead us to walk in obedience.
Lord, we ask for the wisdom and discernment to know your desires for our lives. Show us the path you have prepared for us, and grant us the strength to follow it faithfully.
Thank you, Lord, for your love and grace. We rest in the assurance that your love for us is unchanging and eternal.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we conclude this Heart Check, here are some prayer points to reflect on and pray about in your own quiet moments:
Prayer Points
Pray for a deeper understanding of God's emotions and desires.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life where you may be causing Him grief.
Seek forgiveness for any actions or attitudes that have grieved God's heart.
Pray for guidance and wisdom to align your desires with God's will.
Lift up any areas of your life where you need God's intervention and transformation.
Express gratitude for God's love, grace, and mercy in your life.
Before we conclude, I encourage you to subscribe Here if you haven't already. By subscribing, you'll receive updates on future installments of the Heart-Check series, my monthly prophetic newsletter & more.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and alignment with the heart of our Heavenly Father. May your heart be filled with His love, joy, and peace as you continue to seek Him with all your heart.
Stay tuned for more exciting revelations and insights in the upcoming Heart Check series. God bless you abundantly!
Prophet Andrea Roberts 🙏🏼
To learn more about prayer and develop your personal prayer life, check out The School Of Secret Place Prayer.