Choose Truth

I’m an emotional lady. I cry at church pretty much every Sunday, cry at songs on the radio and movies often, cry when I see other people crying…you get the picture. I’ve always been very sensitive and wear my heart on my sleeve. My now husband had to learn this early on in our relationship. Poor guy. I know that God made me this way, but these big emotions get me into trouble sometimes. They lead me astray. Let me explain.

It is very easy to go down the wrong path when I am driven by my feelings. If I am feeling hurt, then I might naturally want to be hurtful in return. If I’m feeling sad, then I might want to have a pity party for myself. Yet, as a believer in Jesus, this does not bring glory to Him. When I let my emotions rule, then I am stuck inside my own head and focused on me, not on Him, and not on those He has called me to love around me. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says ‘And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and was raised again.’ What happens when I have a self-centered view instead of one focused on Jesus? I don’t love others well. I am too concerned with my own situation and feelings that I am not an encourager and servant to those around me. I’m too busy worrying about my inner struggles, that I don’t have time to love others the way God calls me to love them.

So what can I do to take my focus off of me and on to Jesus? I need to use God’s truth to replace my negative emotions. I recently heard Lysa Terkurst (Proverbs 31 ministries) say, ‘Lies flee in the presence of truth.’ I need to call to mind God’s promises to me and trust that what He says is true, no matter how I feel. I might feel lonely, but He says I am never alone even for one second. I might feel insignificant, but He says I am deeply loved and special. I might feel ugly, but He says I am a masterpiece and He looks at my heart. I might feel weak, but He says I can do anything through Him. I might feel insecure, but He says I find my identity in Him and am His daughter. I might not feel like forgiving someone, but He says I must forgive because He has forgiven me (many many times). The point is, many of my emotions can lead me away from God’s truth. I have to fight off the natural urge to let my emotions rule and tell myself ’Truth over emotions. Truth over emotions.’ This has become my mantra.

The bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, ’the heart is deceitful above all things.’ That means that my own heart, deceives me. That is scary to think about. Not to be a ‘Debbie Downer,’ but the popular phrase ‘follow your heart’ is actually not biblical. For those who put their hope in Christ, it should be ‘follow God’s truth and promises’ instead. This is a newer truth for me. I definitely lived by the ‘follow your heart’ philosophy of the world for probably the first 20+ years of my life, but it led me into poor decisions and sin and therefore consequences. Can you relate? Images of failed relationships come to mind for me, my heart feeling shattered to pieces. We have to learn to sift our feelings through the lens of God’s word. If our feelings do not gel with His truth or commands, then we have to ’take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This takes practice. This might mean praying immediately, calling a friend who keeps you accountable, memorizing verses to call to mind, etc. I can promise you that you CAN do this. God says so. You ‘can do all things through Christ who gives you strength’ (Philippians 4:13). You CAN take your thoughts captive and grab hold of God’s truth and refocus on the things that bring Him glory. I don’t do this perfectly, but the more I’ve practiced, the easier it has become to quickly switch my thinking. The more I choose to call to mind God’s loving truth and faithfulness regardless of how I feel, the easier it becomes to turn to Him instead of my emotions.

Ladies, we can CHOOSE. Each time we have an unhealthy thought, or a lie the enemy has placed in our heads, we can choose to dwell on it or squash it. We can choose to go down the ‘feelings road’ into self pity or anger or jealousy, etc. OR we can choose to grab hold of God’s perfect truth and the promises He speaks over our lives. I invite you to join me in choosing to not be a woman driven by the ups and downs of her emotions, but a woman who stands firm and steadfast on God’s truth. Jesus says ’the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). Be free ladies, not a prisoner to your emotions. Be the strong woman of God He created you to be.

Love, 

Kristi Brooks

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Isaiah 9:6-7

{Day 2} Genesis 2:8-9

{Day 3} Genesis 4:1-16

{Day 4} Genesis 12:1-4

{Day 5} Genesis 14:17-24

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?