"I'm just following my heart."
"I'm living out my truth."
"Let me do me."
Scrolling through the gram, you've probably seen captions and graphics with phrases like this. People living the life they deem as true or right. Living a life based on what they feel is best for them. I don't know about you, but I have gotten myself into a lot of trouble by making decisions based on how I was feeling in a specific moment. My decisions weren't based on what was true, but on how I felt. And if you don't know by now, emotions are fleeting.
For example, one moment you could be so mad that you want to quit your job. You get home from a long day, sit down to start writing your boss and you quickly look at your bills. You realize that you can't quit if you want to pay rent next month. The next day you return to work, totally convinced that this is where you need to be and ready to make the best out of every circumstance that comes your way. How do you go from one emotion to another so quickly? Most of the time, our feelings about a person, thing or situation change when a new reality is revealed.
Our feelings aren't known to be very consistent
In most situations, when someone says that they are following their heart, it really means that their mind is made up. Instead of being challenged in truth, they hide behind a 'Let me do me' mentality because they don't want to be questioned. We start to believe that following our own truth will lead to a more fulfilled life.
- So what's so dangerous about choosing to follow your heart? Check out what the Bible says...
- The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9)
- Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. (Proverbs 28:26)
- For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. (Matthew 15:19)
Okay, so then what should you follow instead? The Bible talks about that, too.
- Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
- Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. (Psalm 119:113)
- May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. (1 Thess. 3:5)
- Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spiritâs leading in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:25)
- How joyful are those who fear the Lordâ all who follow his ways! (Psalm 128:1)
When you follow after your own desires, you end up still wanting more. Follow after Jesus. In Him, you will find truth, rest, joy and peace.
by Emily LaGrone