A Christian does not live by feelings, but by faith and love. Sacred Scripture and Thomas Aquinas clearly show that faith does not depend on fickle emotions, but on the assent of the intellect to the truth of God and the firm will to love Him.
1. Faith is a decision of the intellect.
Faith is a supernatural habit in the intellect:
“Faith is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace.”
(Summa Theologiae II–II, q.2, a.9)
This means: Faith is a yes to the truth of God, not a feeling in our heart. Even if I feel nothing, I can believe.
2. Love for God does not necessarily consist in feeling.
Thomas states explicitly:
“Love for God consists essentially in the will, not in the feeling of the heart.”
(Summa Theologiae II–II, q.24, a.3 ad 2)
This means: I love God when I hold fast to Him with my will and want to please Him, not only when my heart is inwardly moved.
3. God is present in all things.
Thomas explains:
“God is in all things, not only as the cause that gives them being, but as the presence that works in all things.”
(Summa Theologiae I, q.8, a.1)
Even if I feel “ice cold,” God remains ontologically present. He sustains me in being at every moment. His presence does not depend on my experience.
4. Grace works independently of feelings.
Our emotions are changeable, but grace is supernatural.
Thomas says in essence:
“Love for God consists essentially in the will, not in the feeling of the heart.”
(Summa Theologiae II–II, q.24, a.3 ad 2)
5. God can withdraw consolation to purify us.
Thomas explains that God sometimes gives spiritual graces in a tangible way to strengthen beginners. Later, however, He withdraws these consolations so that we may grow in higher love and pure faith.
“God sometimes gives spiritual graces visibly and tangibly to strengthen beginners. Later He withdraws the tangible consolations so that we may believe and love in a higher way.”
(cf. Summa Theologiae I–II, q.109–114 on grace and merit)
6. Feeling is not the measure.
Thomas makes it clear: What counts is supernatural faith and love in the will, not whether I feel something. A Christian lives from the firm will to love God and believe in Him, even if the heart remains dry.
Scripture references:
John 20:29, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, John 14:15, Luke 9:23, Matthew 7:24