Paul reminds young Timothy that how spiritual we feel can vary from day to day, and to remain diligent both “in season and out of season”. He included these words in the middle of a sentence describing the young man’s ministry: “Preach the word… reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” Paul knew from experience that people don’t always respond to those things with enthusiasm, and that Timothy was bound to have times that would be “out of season”.
Feelings are like clouds in the sky. They’re real, but they affect our lives only if we let them. Notice that Paul doesn’t counsel Timothy to change how he feels, but rather to ignore it and get on with the work at hand. The best antidote for depression isn’t a pill: It’s ACTION.
Your tongue is a rudder
James was saying the same thing when he wrote in James 3.1-11 that the tongue is like the rudder of the ship. When we first control what we say, how we think and feel will come around shortly. It takes practice at first, but you’ll find that it’s not hard to speak right things that you don’t feel at the moment. It takes a decision to speak those words: Nothing more. Think of it as you do when paying a bill. It’s hard to write a check and see that money leave your account. You decide to just do it though, and afterward you can enjoy not owing that debt any more.
Often words spoken out of anger or depression are against another person. They may even deserve your words, but so what if they do? When we let our feelings control our words, we’re being led by our feelings rather than by the Holy Spirit of God. If you’re not a Christian, then become one now. If you are a Christian, then return in faith to your “abiding in Christ” relationship with him.