Week 3 – The Pastor’s Porch
The Discipline of Doing Anyway
Hey friends,
Thank you again for stopping by the porch. I continue to be humbled by the number of people reading, subscribing, and sharing these reflections each week. I don’t take it for granted that you’d carve out space in your day to read something from a small-town pastor in southeastern Ohio. It means a lot.
Now, let’s talk about something I think we all wrestle with—even if we don’t always realize it.
You don’t have to feel it to be faithful.
There’s a popular lie floating around in our culture today, and sometimes it sneaks into the church, too. It says: “If you don’t feel it, it’s not real.” Or maybe: “You have to be authentic to your feelings at all costs.”
Now, don’t get me wrong—your feelings are real. They matter. They can help you understand what’s going on inside your heart. But they are not always reliable guides for what’s true or what’s right.
Maturity means learning to do what’s needed, even when we don’t feel like it.
Faithfulness often means showing up, even when your emotions are all over the place.
Spiritual growth means obeying God, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
The Example of Jesus
Remember the night before the crucifixion? Jesus didn’t “feel like” going to the cross. He wasn’t emotionally pumped up. He prayed in anguish. He even said, “Father, if it’s possible, let this cup pass from me.” (Matthew 26:39)
But then He said something that every follower of Jesus has to learn to echo:
“Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus didn’t suppress His feelings. But He didn’t let them lead, either.
When You Don’t Feel Like Praying...
Let’s be real—sometimes you don’t feel like praying. Or reading Scripture. Or going to church. Or forgiving that person. Or holding your tongue. Or doing the dishes. Or being patient with your kids.
Sometimes you don’t feel it.
But that doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It just means you’re human.
We don’t grow by simply waiting for the mood to strike. We grow by building habits of obedience, even when we’re not in the mood. There are days when reading the Bible doesn’t feel “deep.” Days when prayer feels dry. Days when worship feels more like work.
But we do it anyway—not because we’re pretending, but because we trust that God is forming something in us.
That’s What Maturity Looks Like
Children live based on what they feel in the moment.
They want to play, eat, throw a fit, stay up late, or watch their show—and they want it now.
But part of growing up is learning to subject your feelings to what is good and right.
The same is true spiritually. Some believers have such a rollercoaster of highs and lows because they base everything on how they feel—not what God says. But if your feelings drive your faith, then your faith will never be stable. God invites us into something deeper: consistency.
And Let Me Be Honest…
Consistency hasn’t always come naturally for me.
With ADHD, and the weight of depression and anxiety, I’ve often struggled with discipline. Doing the right thing at the right time has felt like a mountain I couldn’t climb.
But over the years, God’s been patient. He’s helped me grow. And I can look back now and see the blessings that came not from having everything together, but from choosing to do it anyway.
I’m still not perfect. But I’ve learned this: feelings make terrible masters, but they can be helpful servants. And faith is steadier when we choose obedience, even when our feelings haven’t caught up yet.
Porchside Update ☕
This is the little space at the bottom of the porch for those who want to linger a moment longer.
We’ve been enjoying some classic Ohio summer weather this week—meaning, of course, it’s hot one moment and stormy the next. Our house is loud and full of life now that the kids are out of school, and we’re figuring out a new rhythm for the summer.
David is playing baseball, and with all the rain we’ve had, we’re having games almost every evening we can squeeze them in, which is both fun and exhausting. He loves it, and I enjoy watching him enjoy it.
Sophia enjoys spending her Wednesdays at the Mulberry Kitchen with my mom, volunteering to help prep for the community kitchen. This week, she also helped tie blankets for senior citizens and veterans.
We’ve got some milestones to celebrate. Libby turns 14 this month, and Vivian has really started to get this walking thing down. And Philip? Well, the other morning he said he’s going to live outside and become a cat. Oh, to be 3 again. 😊
Ministry-wise, we’re continuing our series Who Are You? We’re taking several weeks looking at what God says about our identity in Christ. Who we are in Jesus is far more important than any characteristic or label we attach to ourselves.
Personally, I’ve been thinking a lot about how easy it is to drift into living based on emotion, not conviction. I hope this week’s reflection encourages someone to stay grounded in grace and keep showing up—even on the hard days.
Also—thank you again. This porch is growing. I’m humbled and grateful for every read, every reply, and every share.
One More Thing...
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Thanks for sitting a spell on the porch with me.
See you next week.
Grace & Peace,
—Adam
I resonate with your words and thoughts. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Good word!