*The Truth

There are so many wonderful phrases around to encourage yourself these days. There are an unlimited amount of memes and scripture photos that are so beautiful and I love to share them on social media. I also see a whole lot of them that contain phrases that at first sight are good but as notice them shared and I read the comments; it worries me that people actually believe some of this stuff! One I see a lot is "Follow your heart" or "Be yourself and don't care what anyone else thinks." Another popular phrase being tossed around is "My truth" or "Your truth". I have been seeing that a whole lot lately and in a lot of Christian circles. Although I do not object to using this term; it irks me at the same time. The term "my truth" actually refers to the thoughts and feelings that someone is experiencing and believing to be true at the moment. It is how a person sees something and feels about a situation. That sounds harmless, right?

It is harmless until you start living by your feelings and emotions and letting your "truth for the moment" guide you. Everyone has truths that they live by. Our society unfortunately has watered down what "truth" really means. To some truth is subjective and totally reliant on preference and opinion. Others believe truth is a collective judgment, the product of cultural agreement, and still others flatly deny the concept of truth altogether. 

First of all we must understand that a “truth” that contains even a hint of bias is no truth at all. God’s Word is clear. The moment we give our lives to Jesus, we are new in both spirit and mind. But if we’re to be “transformed by the renewal of [our] mind[s]” we must pay closer attention to our thoughts Romans 12:2. For, thoughts ultimately dictate emotions, and it seems biases grow best in the head of corrupted thoughts and emotions. And we all know that feelings lie! Feelings are not the Christians TRUTH...our truth is the Word of God. It is the one things that never changes and should be the basis of everything that we do, everything that we feel and everything that we believe. It is our TRUTH!

“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” Proverbs 26:28

“The heart is deceitful above all things" Jeremiah 17:9

When we let our feelings lead the way, we end up making a lot of unwise, ungodly, self-focused decisions—and making a mess of our lives. We also become prone to “picking and choosing” our truth—receiving the things that make us feel good, and rejecting the things that don’t. We find ourselves bitter and becoming disconnected from the things of God. The enemy wants to separate us from the truth that is found in the Word of God. Finding us alone, upset and feeling unloved and undervalued is a really big strategy of the enemy as well. The enemy wants us to be confused about how we feel and what we believe and he has been doing a great job of it.

God cares deeply about each one of your painful past experiences and each one of your current struggles. We must always remember that receiving His truth—not running away from it—is what leads to clarity and victory. The answers and “reasons why” may not always be immediately clear. But if you learn to place His unchanging, eternal truth far above your own feelings and experiences, you will soon begin to experience freedom, faith, and heavenly perspective beyond what you ever thought possible. You have all heard that term "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!". It isn't a quote from Shakespeare...like some people actually think...it is a scripture found in the Bible found in John 8:32. 

Knowing the TRUTH and feeling your truth are two totally different things. Our truth is grounded in who Jesus is. God's word is the only foundation that is true and just and unchanging. Your feelings if left unchecked can flutter in the wind going here and there and leaving you fragile and vulnerable..and lost. 

When you find yourself hurt, upset and emotional about something here are a few strategies to make sure you are aligned with the truth of the Word of God:

1. What is THE truth about this hurt or situation?
2. What does God's Word say about how to deal with a situation or a feeling like this?
3. Pray about your heart and if there is any direction that you need to take to resolve it. 
4. If you are not able to resolve it on your own go to someone in authority over you and ask them to help you. Friends are great to consult about something only IF they are Godly friends that you consider a mentor. They should pray with you about it and you together regard the Bible in how to resolve it or move forward. 
5. Depending on the hurt it may take time to get over. Protect your heart and be aware of your emotions and feelings. Always have in the forefront of your mind and your day this: "God. Show me your truth today. Lead me and help me to follow your ways and not my mind or emotions. Thank you Lord for bringing me victory. You are the prince of peace over my thoughts today and I will dwell on who you are in my life. Help me today to remember who I am in Christ. I am an overcomer!" 
6. It is helpful to declare scriptures over your life every day and when something starts to enter your mind that isn't lined up with the truth of God then you will be more than able to recognize it and strike it down. 

There isn't anything better than living in harmony with others and in the freedom that only Christ can provide. As you declare small victories in regards to your mind and your emotions you will realize that it isn't that hard at all to be free of offense and hurt and being overwhelmed by your emotions, because God is leading you and He is YOUR TRUTH!

You are Graciously Adorned!

❤Jonna