How Do You Feel?

"Our common tendency is to habitually begin with the internal, the subjective, the experiential, then use those feelings and impressions to determine what we'll accept as being objective fact. We let our feelings tell us what is true, instead of letting the truth transform our feelings. For most of us, this isn't something we practice only when reading a book or listening to a sermon. We explain our choices by saying, 'I feel good about it.' It's the fundamental mindset with which we approach practically everything. It's how we live. We're conditioned to this approach not only by our sin but also by our culture, which incessantly entices us to 'follow your heart' and do whatever makes us feel good-along with the flattering assurance that nonstop feeling good is something we absolutely deserve! It would be fine to follow our feelings if we could always be sure they're faithful to reality. But they aren't; their perspective on reality typically has huge blind spots. As a result, our emotions are flighty, fickle, and far too easily dominated by any number of influences-spilled coffee at breakfast, a traffic stall when you're running late, a cutting comment from a coworker. Our feelings simply can't be trusted."

C.J. Mahaney, Living the Cross Centered Life