Feelings Are Not Always Facts: Understanding Your Emotions Through God’s Truth

Sunset silhouette of a cross with the message "Feelings Are Not Facts," emphasizing the importance of staying rooted in faith and purpose amidst fluctuating emotions.

How recognizing that emotions are not facts can keep you anchored in God’s love and purpose 

Welcome to another episode of the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body Blog from Doxa Missions. Today, we're looking at why feelings are not facts, and how this simple truth can reshape the way you see yourself, your circumstances, and God’s plan for your life. 

By the end of this post, you’ll understand how to recognize your emotions without being ruled by them, and how God’s truth anchors you—no matter what you feel. 

When Your Feelings Tell You One Thing… But Reality Says Another (Feelings Are Not Facts) 

Let’s be honest—feelings can be loud. They can be overwhelming. They can convince us that life is crashing down when nothing major is actually happening. And yet, as real as feelings are, feelings are not facts. 

You might feel like everything is awful. And sometimes, things genuinely are hard. Life brings storms, challenges, and moments where you can barely catch your breath. But other times, the emotion does not match the reality. 

Most of the things we fear or worry about never even happen. Our feelings don’t always tell us the whole story—they often tell us the story through the lens of our past, our stress, or even our imagination. 

This is why God invites us to renew our minds—not ignore our feelings, but not obey them blindly either. 

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV) 

Our thoughts and emotions shape how we interpret the world, but they don’t determine what is true. 

Growth Often Happens in Difficult Moments 

Think back to the seasons in your life where you grew the most. Were they easy times? Probably not. 

Growth rarely happens in comfort. A lot of times, you grow the most when things are the most difficult. But when we’re in the thick of it, our feelings scream, “This is bad! This is unfair! This is too much!” 

But just because you feel like life isn’t working out doesn’t mean it’s true. 

God often does His greatest work when we feel the least in control. 

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2–3 KJV) 

Joy doesn't always feel natural during trials. But God sees the growth being produced, even when all we feel is pressure. 

You Are Valuable—No Matter What You Feel 

One of the most dangerous lies feelings tell us is that our worth is based on performance, circumstances, or other people’s opinions. 

But the truth? You are valuable simply because God created you. 

Not because of what you do. 

Not because of how others see you. 

Not because you feel strong or confident today. 

You are valuable because you exist. 

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Psalm 139:14 KJV) 

Your value is rooted in God’s craftsmanship, not your emotions. 

When You Feel Inadequate: The Story of Gideon

A perfect example of this is Gideon. 

When God called Gideon to lead Israel, Gideon didn’t feel strong. He didn’t feel qualified. He didn’t feel worthy. If feelings were facts, Gideon would have remained hiding in fear forever. 

But God saw something different in him. 

“And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might… Have not I sent thee?” (Judges 6:14 KJV) 

Gideon’s feelings said: I am weak. 

God’s truth said: You are a mighty man of valor. 

Which one was the fact? The one God spoke. 

Feelings can tell you what you’re experiencing—but only God can tell you who you are. 

Your Feelings Affect Your Self-Esteem… But They Don’t Define It 

Your emotions can influence how you see yourself. If you constantly feel like a failure, you’ll start believing you are one. If you feel unlovable, you’ll assume no one cares. If you feel discouraged, you’ll think things will never change. 

But feelings don’t define your identity. God’s Word does. 

This is why renewing your mind is essential. The more you understand God’s truth, the easier it becomes to separate feelings from facts. 

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32 KJV) 

Truth brings freedom. Feelings bring fluctuation. 

Let the truth of God steady you when emotions rise and fall. 

How to Anchor Yourself When Your Feelings Take Over 

Here are simple steps to keep your emotions in their place: 

1. Acknowledge your feelings without judging them 

You don’t have to pretend everything is fine. God can handle honesty. 

2. Ask: “Is this a feeling or a fact?” 

A powerful pause creates clarity. 

3. Bring your thoughts under God’s truth 

Speak Scripture out loud if you need to. Truth resets your perspective. 

4. Remember past victories 

You’ve survived hard things before. Your feelings won’t tell you that—but your memory will. 

5. Lean into God’s presence 

His peace is not based on circumstances. It’s based on Him. 

Final Encouragement 

Your feelings matter. They’re part of your humanity. But they are not the boss of your life. And they definitely are not the truth. 

God’s Word is the truth. 

God’s view of you is the truth. 

God’s purpose for you is the truth. 

And you are fearfully and wonderfully made—whether you feel like it today or not. 

Call to Action 

How about you? What’s one area of your life where you’ve realized that feelings are not facts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!