Discerning the Truth
By Tara Johnson
“… but test them all; hold on to what is good …" 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Every morning I walk outside to see my husband’s driver’s side rearview mirror battered and smeared, evidence of another early morning fight between our resident male bluebird and his reflection.
He sees that curious bird staring back at him and pecks the foul fowl until his head is nearly smashed flat and his beak resembles the blunt end of a hammer. Poor guy. He sees something that looks real, therefore he assumes it must be.
He falls for the same lie I’ve believed many times: if I feel something, or if it looks real, it must be true.
Here’s the blunt truth: our emotions usually have very little to do with reality. They swing and dive with alarming speed. We feel neglected by our husbands, so therefore, we are neglected. We feel hopeless in our circumstances, therefore there must not be hope.
Emotions aren’t good or bad. They’re God-given ways of experiencing life in a profound way. The problem is, our emotions were damaged by the curse of sin on this world.
When you’re threatening to drown in those suffocating emotions, stop and breathe. Analyze then confront how you’re feeling with the truth of Scripture.
Put everything to the test. Just because someone, a situation, or our emotions present themselves as the truth, doesn’t mean they are. The Bible is our measuring stick. God always has our good in mind. Cling to His faithfulness.
Tara Johnsonis a contributor to Wholly Loved Ministries’ a speaker, and lover of stories. She travels to churches, ladies retreats and prisons to share how God led her into freedom after spending years living shackled as a people-pleasing preacher's kid. Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, as well as numerous other accolades. She has articles published in magazines and has been a featured guest on radio, television and podcasts. Tara is represented by Janet Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency. She, her husband, and children live in Arkansas. Visit her online at: www.TaraJohnsonStories.com
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Originally published Monday, 03 December 2018.
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