Have you ever seen a caboose pushing a train with the engine on the opposite end? If we did not know better, that is how it can appear as the train flies by us. Yet, the engine is actually pulling the train, with the caboose being the last car.
In our own lives, feelings are supposed to be the caboose at the end of the train. Yet the reality is they can often seem to be the engine running our lives.
God designed us to have feelings. For example, if you read through the Psalms, almost every human emotion is used. However, when we have strong negative feelings such as discouragement, depression, anxiety, grief, or anger, we can feel out of control.
When I was first married, I did not understand why I sometimes had such strong negative feelings. When I told my wife about them, she would often ask me a wise question. What are you thinking? I was so used to living by my feelings that I had no idea.
On the surface, it seems like an easy question to answer. Yet, the GLI Staff and I see people every week who are like I was. They do not know what they are thinking. Like me, many people are so used to their feelings running the show that they are unaware of the cause.
Here is the truth. Thoughts are the major cause of feelings. (There are some exceptions to this, such as an unhealthy body, an unhealthy brain, diseases, trauma, spiritual attacks, etc.)
So, how do we unmask the thoughts behind our feelings? Here is something we can all do. When you are experiencing negative feelings, get quiet and ask God to show you what you are thinking. Then write out every thought. Then ask yourself a few questions
· Are any of these thoughts true?
· What am I going to do with the ones that are not true?
· What am I going to do with the ones that are true?
· If these thoughts were not true, how would you feel?
· Do these thoughts align with Who God is and who you are in Christ according to the New Covenant?
Scripture encourages us that we are not on our own when we need to become aware of our thoughts. God is with us and wants to help us. He assures us of this. The Holy Spirit will lead us. (Romans 8:14) We have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) God has given us a sound/discerning mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Jesus is Emmanuel, which means God with us, because He is in us.
But what if we believe the above, try to discover our thoughts, and still feel stuck in our feelings? The GLI Staff and I understand. We have all been there. In those situations, you can reach out to a trusted friend.
If you still need help, this is one of the reasons why God led me to start GLI over thirty years ago. We provide Christ-centered, compassionate, and discerning counseling for people who are struggling.
If you or someone you care about would like to schedule a counseling consultation, click the counseling link below. It doesn’t matter where you live. We see people from anywhere in the US and beyond. All of our appointments are held on Zoom. If that doesn’t seem personal, 99% of people who try it say it is.
Click here: https://www.gracelifeinternational.com/christian-counseling-services/
We are here to help.
