Are positive feelings the only evidence of an experience or encounter with God? Is it equally possible that feelings stemming from conviction or rebuke could be of equal evidence of such an encounter? Interestingly, throughout Scripture the common feeling or expression from someone who had a personal experience with God or an angel was fear. Maybe we are missing out on identifying what God is doing (in our lives and in our churches) because we have limited the spectrum in which we understand how God operates. I think there are times when our “encounters with God” may be awkward, inconvenient, convicting, etc ., yet I think they are equally profound and holy moments.
I’m glad you’re doing this Bryce…it’s resonating with me and making me think. I don’t have any deep comments as of yet, bu thanks for getting the wheels turning.
Thanks Erin…I am enjoying the process as it forces me to reflect more.
i think when God does stuff in my life that i would rather he didn’t it is some of the most convincing evidence of his existence (and even his benevolence) that i’ve ever, or will ever, encounter.
Jon,
Great comment and so true to my experience as well.