How do you feel?

Most of us ask or are asked that question several times a day every day.

But when we ask, most of us don't really care about the answer.

We don't want to hear about how somebody has a sick relative or a problem child or money issues. And the reason is because we have our own troubles.

But, when someone asks us "How ya feelin'?" what do we say?

"Just fine." "Great!" "Wonderful!" "Doin' good."

And in so doing, we routinely disguise our feelings.

But in so many ways, it's our feelings we most trust to guide us.

For example, when my wife and I are trying to choose a restaurant, she'll often ask, "What do you feel like?"

Sometimes people even make life-altering decisions based on their feelings.

In general, we, especially in this country, are undeniably sensual people.

It's the reason advertisers use scantily clad women to sell soda.

It's the reason we know what "impulse buying" is.

Movies are not judged by the acting, but by the "hotness" of the actors.

It's the reason the rap group 2 Live Crew — which couldn't rap, sing, dance or act — was one of the biggest music groups of the '80s.

It's an appeal to our basest human desires.

We're driven by our feelings, and many times we allow that mentality to seep into our Christian walk, allowing our feelings to determine when, how, where and to what extent we serve Christ.

I read recently that only about 3 percent of believers have ever attempted to lead anyone to Christ (Matt. 28:19).

I don't claim that statistic to be the gospel truth, but I also don't think it's far off.

How often do we visit the sick and imprisoned, clothe the naked, feed the hungry?

Nevermind helping others, how often do we tend to our own spiritual growth by attending Sunday school, worship service and Bible study, and by regularly reading the Bible on our own?

And what's the main reason we neglect these basic tenets of the faith?

Time and again, the answer is that we simply don't feel like it.

Proverbs 16:3 says: "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

I understand the verse to mean that if we do the things we should for the Lord, then our feelings will follow suit.

For instance: No one wakes up one morning an alcoholic.

At some point, he took a drink. Repetition turned into a habit, and drinking eventually became his character. It's no longer what he does, but who he is.

The same is true for godliness.

How do you become a prayer warrior? Start praying.

How do you become a faithful churchgoer? Start going.

How do you become a giver? Start giving.

Even when you don't feel like it.

Your emotions and feelings can be fuel for your journey with Christ, but they can't be the steering wheel.