feelings... nothing more than feelings.

i've learned that -- if decisions are made according to God's will, no matter how difficult -- the feeling of God's peace is only an after-effect of the sacrifice. a bonus, if you will. kinda like getting paid for volunteer work: I don't expect compensation (in money or otherwise), and most certainly I'm not doing the work for the purpose of being compensated (hence 'volunteer')... but it's really an awesome surprise if the One I work for *actually gives me something. This in itself is indeed worthy of thanks, in the form giving more of ourselves through both faith and action. it's a great cycle.

the feeling of God's peace is just that -- a feeling. feelings change. God makes it that way so we don't depend on the good ones He provides (although we can all admit -- it's a nice-to-have). if we were created by Him to love Him, and if love involves sacrifice, then.... we're to undergo the sacrifice of humility simply because we're made for it and for no other reasons.

and He's worthy and all-deserving of that sacrifice, no?

............or maybe i've been reading into Utmost and PDL all too much.

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ps: throwback. catching up on Utmost readings during my lunch just now reminded me of previous blogs. just sharing.