August 10th

AUGUST 10th  

“Trust your feelings” -NOT!

Science has proven that the overwhelming majority of our automatic thoughts, emotions and reactions are NOT accurate. The world says that we should do what we “feel” and that we can’t help the way we “feel”, etc. The problem with that, is that what we “feel” is rarely accurate.

It just so happens that Scripture lines up with science (really the other way around.)

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Here’s the thing, our brains and our bodies are constantly sending signals or “chatter” to our minds, but we don’t have to and should not automatically listen to it or act on it. We need to develop a pause, and evaluate whether our brain, heart, or body are actually sending accurate signals. In addition, we need to evaluate whether they are sending us appropriate signals that line up with the Word of God.

I will paraphrase Christian neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren’s good example for this: Let’s say you get the mail and see a letter from the IRS, your response could be interpreted multiple ways. You might get goose bumps, your skin might tingle, the hair on the back of your neck might stand up, you might feel dizzy, your heart might race and your stomach might clench. Is that because you are worried it might be a letter saying that you are being audited? Or is it excitement because you think it might be your refund that you really need? The problem is, it might be that neither are true and you just got excited or worried for nothing. Maybe looking closer you see it is really addressed to your neighbor, or, maybe it ends up being a letter telling you they are still processing your return (and so your refund will be delayed.) Those signals sent to you by your body and brain could be interpreted multiple ways and your feelings about the particular event may not at all be warranted or accurate. The response of the body/brain is automatic and does not determine the reality of the situation. Your mind’s interpretation of those responses also does not determine reality.

Feelings are based on our body/brain responses not on truth. When we develop a habit of following our feelings it can get us into extremely dangerous territory. It can easily lead us into sin. Take King David and Bathsheba for example. David is on the roof of his palace and looks down to find Bathsheba bathing at her home. His feelings are driven by the lust response in his brain and body and that leads not only to adultery but also to basically murder. We often talk about David, but it takes two to tango. Think about Bathsheba. She is flattered that she is noticed and desired and on top of that she is lonely since her husband is away. The responses of her brain and body include, goose bumps and butterflies in her stomach, etc. Her feelings are driven by those responses and interpreted as safe and necessary, something she “needs” and wants, something “right.” The problem is that none of that is true. Her feelings are telling her that David is better for her than her husband. But IS he really? Is an adulterer better for her than her faithful husband? Even more accurate, is an adulterous murderer better for her than her faithful husband (David had the husband sent to the front lines in battle so that he would be killed)? She ends up pregnant and the baby ends up dying after it is born. Her grief is much worse than whatever happiness she thought would come of her relationship with David.

Bottomline…Our feelings cannot be trusted. We need to always measure them against known Truth, THE TRUTH!

Proverbs 28:11,26 The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. V11Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for trusting my feelings. Help me to recognize when I do that and help me to stop and evaluate and run everything by you. Help me to develop the habit of pausing to look for the truth before I react or allow myself to have feelings. Thank you for showing me the way and for creating me with the ability to change.