- photo by Susan PageIt is said, “Do the right thing and the feelings will follow.” What exactly does this mean?

Sometimes it goes against every emotion in us to extend forgiveness or offer love and kindness when dealing with someone who has wronged us. Yet, when we do the right thing, with God’s help, the feelings will eventually follow.

While reading Scripture, a passage jumped off the page and highlighted this point.

As it often is, it was the example set by Jesus who always demonstrated love even in the most trying circumstances.

Picture the scene, where Jesus has been praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is exhausted having poured out His soul to His Father, asking that the cup of suffering pass Him by. Yet, despite His heartfelt plea, He prayed, “Not my will Father, but Thine be done.”

Jesus also faced discouragement and disappointment when His closest friends could not stay awake and support Him when He needed them most.

Enter Judas and the soldiers, part of a crowd of people with swords and clubs approaching Jesus and the disciples. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss and that betrayal must have felt like a knife piercing His heart. The hostility was coming from all sides, and yet, even when one of those who was with Jesus drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest cutting off his ear, what did Jesus do? He did, as always … the right thing! With a touch, Jesus restored the man’s ear, despite what was happening to Him. What amazing love.

This brought me to a place of deep reflection and soul-searching.

Jesus was facing the worst of the worst. He would be beaten, mocked, tortured, and crucified on a wooden beam. Jesus our Righteous Redeemer, who even on the cross amid excruciating suffering said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Jesus, as always did the right thing, even in the hardest moments as feelings of love and forgiveness were graciously offered to the world. So, the powerful words our Master Teacher spoke, like “turn the other cheek,” and “pray for your enemy” are lessons Jesus not only taught but modelled for us here on earth.

Can we do the right thing even if we do not feel like it, waiting for the feelings that may never come?

Yes, we can but only by God’s grace and through His strength, given us through our Lord Jesus.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” _{(Philippians 4:13)}. Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.