“The gullible believe anything they’re told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.” - Proverbs 14:15 (The Message)

THE MIND: FEELINGS

“Now, if we have destructive feelings, and everyone does sometimes, we should not deny that we have them or try to repress them—though we also should not, normally, dump them on others by acting them out. In any case, let it be very clear that denying feelings or repressing them is not the answer to our problem. The proper course of action is to replace destructive feelings with others that are good, or to subordinate them—anger and sexual desire, for example—in a way that makes them constructive and transforms their effects.” - Dallas Willard

As people, we have so many feelings, and they are inseparable from our thoughts. We cannot have one without the other. Our feelings about something come from what we know about it, and every thought has a positive or negative feeling associated with it.

We tend to believe that our feelings and thoughts are subjective and correct without much consideration for reality. In Christian spiritual formation, however, the Holy Spirit helps us practice weighing and sifting them as they come so we can determine whether they are constructive or destructive. Is this good for us? Does it help us love God and our neighbors well?

Examination of thoughts and feelings must not be an afterthought. By God’s grace, subordinating destructive feelings or replacing them with good ones forms a clear path for the construction of sensations and emotions that lead to inner transformation.

REFLECTION

What were some feelings (sensations or emotions) you experienced recently? What were the associated thoughts? Reflect on the connection between the feelings and the thoughts. If you experienced any negative feelings, ask God to help you get to their core. Where do you need the Lord’s grace to work with you to renovate your thoughts and feelings?

PRAYER

O God, a barrage of information comes before our minds. By Your grace, help us hold firmly to the constructive and transformative portions that build and strengthen a healthy soul. Amen.