Got feelings? What is the reality here?

Isn’t it fascinating how unpretentious it can be to feel one way in one moment in time and completely different the next? Feelings. Ugh. They have taken more than their share of control over my life. Ok, ok…truth: feelings have only taken what I’ve allowed them, what I willingly gave them. That is changing. Thank God. I am learning over the past few years these invisible saboteurs cannot be ignored. The sermons, lectures, You-Tube videos, podcasts, books, and opinions of others have been clear:

1. Feelings are not one’s friends.

2. Feelings are most often not reality.

3. Don’t trust one’s feelings.

4. Feelings are something you have; not something you are.

5. What worries you, masters you.

6. "The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." Jeremiah 17:9-10

7. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5

8. Link to more excellent quotes about feelings and emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence Quotes

9. One of my favs: "I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them." --Oscar Wilde

However, how many times a day are we still swayed by the way we feel? Stupid, stupid, stupid. When will we ever learn? The answer seems clear in this moment.

We learn when we are ready to be honest with ourselves and God.

Yes, the transformation happens over time, perhaps a long time, but God is patient and loves us so much, He won’t relent until He has it all.

How do you feel about that? CAREFUL! Yikes! It’s a trap.

It’s time to ask better questions and then do better:

· What is the reality here?

· What is the truth about this situation?

· What should I do next?

· Breathe. Go ahead, take a deep breath.

· Pray. Ask God for wisdom.

· THINK. THINK HARD. THINK HARDER.

· THINK BEFORE SPEAKING or RESPONDING.

Our minds can be trained to be aware of the bigger picture in any circumstance. We get good at what we practice, so it’s no wonder we are good at letting our feelings run amuck and behaving like blithering idiots. As we begin to become honest, exercise self-control, accept what is true, and practice doing right instead of wrong…the changes are extraordinary, supernatural, and completely satisfying. It takes more than we are capable of, it takes God giving us a new heart, not fixing our old one. I found a good post about this “follow your heart” phrase which has been carefully camouflaged as a healthy way to live.

Here’s the link: Follow Your Heart

Be encouraged. Be wiser. Be transformed.

Love,

Elizabeth White