We as a congregation focus greatly on conforming our actions to be like Christ’s. This is a noble and right concern, because living with correct actions is one way we can show our submission to Christ. But it is only one way since our actions are only one facet of our existence. We are called to submit ourselves entirely to Christ, that is, in every aspect of existence. Therefore, we must go beyond simply acting correctly. We must also conform our thoughts and emotions to Christ’s. It is the latter that I want to focus on here.

How are we to conform our emotions to be like Christ’s? One way to begin is by meditating on the psalms to see how Christians ought to feel. Most recently, I meditated on Psalm 63. The Psalmist is “in a dry and weary land without water” (v. 1), yet it is God he thirsts for. His flesh is longing for God, rather than food. In fact, he says that God satisfies his existence like a juicy quarter pounder (v. 5).

This psalm teaches me that I am supposed to feel (and act) that God’s loyal love (hesed) is better than life itself (v. 4). I am supposed to want to see his power and glory in his church more than I want food, water and sleep (vv. 1, 5, 6). We must conform our feelings to the Psalmist’s. Personally, I believe fasting while meditating on this psalm can be effective. You are choosing to seek God and be satisfied with his power and glory rather than food and water. Hopefully, after you come out of the fast, your desire for God will be stronger than your desire for food and life itself.