Fervent Feelings, Foundational Faith

Hi Sweet Friends,

Long time, no write. I know the wait has seemed everlasting, and I do apologize for it. I, of all people, hate waiting so, I understand the pointed pain of practicing patience. I am, by nature, impossibly impatient. It’s a weakness I’ve long tried to overcome. But God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV). So, I’ve come to appreciate this friendly foe of mine. With all that said, my impossibly impatient self is excited to become patiently present with you today 😊. No tongue twisting intended hehe.

For those of you that love the God-gifted word art, I thrive on, get ready, because today’s post is… a little less educational and a little more sensational. I’m not exactly sure where this wild horse is going yet, but I do know, God is in control and, as always—I’m excited to see what He has planned for us. So, let’s love the infamous side curves and get started. Shall we?

It’s no secret at this point, that these past few months…years really, have become the most trying of my life. The sharp, half-painted edges, tangled scribbles, surprise splashes, and uneven lines have created the messiest of paintings. Paintings, most people would push aside, never to view again. And yet—here I am, still painting (both literally and figuratively hehe). Still waiting, still full of joy, and excited to view God’s finished artwork. In true tough trial fashion, today’s post will gently dip your toes into this journey of mine, highlighting two of my most favorite topics: faith and feelings.

Those of us who are neurodivergent, especially those with my particular flavor, are no stranger to feelings. In fact, we encounter emotions (and feelings 😉) in such a profoundly intense way that the experience can hardly be put into words. In one swift wave, any set of emotions can transform into a ravenous cluster of enemies or a loving group of close friends. The rapid shifts create tangled tides that come as quickly as they go. Leaving us in an emotional oblivion that we either long to experience or hate to hold. These fervently felt feelings can quickly define our days as we become acutely aware of their every accompanying sensation. Their sparks often arrive unexpectedly and without reason. The subtle changes in a person’s tone of voice, brief tensing of muscles, a unique pause in conversation, unsettling body movements, a slight shift in eye contact, or unspoken feelings swirling around another person can quickly propel us into another big wave. Not to mention the intricate details of our days, past trauma, unwelcomed trials, brokenness, and sin. All of it can ignite a powerful storm of emotions and feelings. Our super sensitive nervous systems sound the alarm, and our feelings quickly define both the meaning of our emotions and our days. Whether these feelings feel cozy or excruciating, the battle between them can be brutal. Often, leaving us feeling powerless in the fight. But what if I told you. The most difficult of feelings brought on by this broken world and resulting from sin are, in fact, precious gifts from God. One-of-a-kind jewels we've been blessed to hold. These fervent feelings lead us back to our foundation. Back to the one who gave us breath. These beauties, disguised as troublemakers, are dramatically large signs pointing us to the only path that matters in this life. The graciously God-given path to salvation.

It’s hard to believe, right? Why would we have to experience all these tough feelings. Feelings of shame, anger, depression, jealousy, sorrow, anxiety, and fear. These feelings arrive with the coldest touch and the harshest grasp. They so easily bring us to our knees, crush our spirits, and attempt to steal our hope. Fervent feelings such as these can dampen our faith, if we let them. They can take control, wrestling with our thoughts until we no longer know how or what to think. They can create a weakness in faith. And a weakness in trust. That’s where foundational faith comes in. Because when you have foundational faith, these feelings still bring you to your knees, play on your weaknesses, threaten your trust, and taunt you with your imperfections, but—they turn you back toward your root. Back toward your foundation. Instead of running, hiding, or screaming, you cling to your creator with the same fervent feelings that have built your foundational faith. Those feeling foes have no control over you and instead they have strengthened you, one excruciating feeling at a time. They grow you and your faith. They remind you of your purpose and of the mighty one in control. Above all, they cause you to repent, to pray and to praise, forever pointing you towards Jesus. Our fervent feeling foes, combined with a foundational faith, are in reality, the sweetest of blessings.

What is foundational faith? You may ask. My definition of foundational faith is a faith that begins at the root. Unraveling from your very core, into a beautifully imperfect portrait that immaculately displays God’s goodness and grace. A faith with the brightest of testimonies and the strongest of foundations. A foundation formed by presence, prayer, praise, patience, and purpose. A foundation centered on Christ and from which all things flow. Unwavering faith that fully trusts, fully loves, and fully follows the Lord. A faith strengthened by trials and grown amidst fervency. It’s not the lukewarm faith you see when people say they believe in God, possibly attend church, and yet have no real relationship with Him. They have no passion for serving Him and no plans to get to know Him or walk in His ways. A faith without foundation, my friends, isn’t faith at all. It’s a façade. A dangerous path many take. A perilous road that inevitably ends in destruction. (Revelation 3:16, ESV). Foundational faith, on the other hand. Foundational faith is life giving, soul nourishing, body resting, and mind calming. It’s true, undeniable, unhindered, and unrelenting faith, no matter the trials tangled within our emotional tides. God gives us countless examples of this kind of faith in His Word. We see this intimate connection to our creator in characters like David, Job, Hannah, and Ruth. Imperfect people whose faith comprised of serving, sacrifice, and surrender.

On this faith journey of mine, I have often strived for perfection and yearned for signs. For God to speak to me. Answer my prayers. Show me the right way to go, the right thing to do, and the right path to take. But I've come to realize, needing that affirmation from God, is a weakness in faith. The strongest faith believes without seeing, trusts without reassurance, and walks in the ways of our Lord, without expectation. The strongest faith brings peace in knowing that God is in control and, therefore, we need not worry about the outcomes of our days. He has a plan and His plans are always for our good and His glory. We will never achieve perfection. Only God is perfect. We must be careful to remind ourselves, His power is made perfect in weakness, not perfection (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).

Friends, Jesus didn’t seek out people full of happiness and dancing with delight all of their days. He sought out imperfect people, crippled by pain, judged by the world, suffering in sorrow, and broken from sin. Jesus meets us in our suffering and weaknesses. He grows us in this feeling filled journey. Equipping us with the fervent feelings we, so desperately, need. With each loud, unsociable, unhinged, and irritatingly unrelenting feeling, He is also wonderfully weaving feelings of joy, happiness, peace, hope, and love. Fantastic feelings we couldn’t truly appreciate without the more difficult ones. To summarize, without Jesus and all of our fervent feelings, we would have nothing. So, let’s praise Him with the same fervency our feelings often show. Just like the toughest of times are, in fact, the bumpiest of blessings. The toughest of feelings, are in fact, the most beautiful bits of being.

And for our little minds, let’s show them how to build a foundational faith brimming with all kinds of fervent feelings, even the not so friendly ones. Let us always remember their imperfectly perfect little selves were purposefully and wonderfully created to feel all kinds of feelings. And our magnificent creator is growing them with every wave of emotion. Our little ones need the toughest of feelings, just as one day… they will need the toughest of days. A foundational faith and the most fervent of feelings will grow them, shape them, renew their spirits, nourish their souls, and keep them close to Jesus. So next time you find yourself tangled in a tantrum, take a moment to praise Jesus for the little life He’s turning back to Him. And wait for Him to reveal the purpose behind it all.

Until next time,

  

Christina

After thought of the post: A foundational faith for our little minds begins with us. May we spend our days living for the Lord and loving all of our fervent feelings so that one day—our little minds will do the same.

***Even though I am an independently licensed social worker, none of the information provided to you in this blog, within my books or on my website is professional advice, diagnosis or treatment of any kind. These posts are strictly providing general information/education and are not substitutes for professional help. If you find yourself concerned about you or your child's mental health, please don't hesitate to reach out to a qualified mental health provider. All views expressed in this blog are personal and not representative of the social work profession.***

References:

English Standard Version. (2001). Bible Gateway. Revelation 3:16 ESV - So, because you are lukewarm, and - Bible Gateway

English Standard Version. (2001). Bible Gateway. 2 corinthians 12:9 ESV - But he said to me, “My grace is - Bible Gateway

All written content, photos, and activities @2026 by Christina Retherford. All rights reserved. Graphics created using Canva/Wix media/Unsplash Images.