I Have Decided……to Follow Jesus
Have you ever looked back at a decision or choice that you made, and you think….”WHAT ON EARTH WAS I THINKING?!”
Me neither! Haha. JUST Kidding.
Of ALL the quotes that I have ever shared or seen, this one really made me stop and think. “Do not follow your heart. Follow the conviction of the Holy Spirit.” (unknown)
Thinking back about some decisions I have made in my life, I remember some that were simple and some that were – much more complicated. So many of those times, I was absolutely confident that following my heart was the sure way to go. Sometimes that worked, and sometimes – not. If you are married or are a parent, or if you are breathing…then you can relate.
How quickly we forget how those crazy emotions and feelings can persuade us into thinking “Surely this is what God would want! I KNOW that he wants me to be happy, so…..! I KNOW that he wants nothing but the best for ME and my family!” Way to go, self.
One thing that I’ve learned is this: A quick solution (decision) may give instant relief, but that peace that you feel may only be temporary. Who lives for temporary happiness?
I remember when my mother, who was an alcoholic, would want just ‘one more drink’ Only one. Maybe it was something that helped for the moment, but ‘that one’ only lead to more. She was a beautiful woman who was miserable. She loved life, yet she hated it…. and herself. Confusing, I know.
Unfortunately, she allowed alcohol to be her God. She went to it for peace, for comfort, for strength and for happiness. I’m not judging – I’m just sharing what I saw firsthand. I only share this information so that hopefully it will help someone else. I loved my mom, but I hated her addiction.
So, now I have to ask myself this question (and challenge you to search YOUR heart): What am I allowing to be on the throne of my heart?
Here are a few verses that explain exactly what He expects from us and how it is…..
“You shall have no other gods before me.” ~ Exodus 20:3
Jeremiah 17: 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
So, WHAT do ya do?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing…”
And….
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5
“Lord, help me to remember today that I am more than just a sum total of my feelings. I am Your child made to walk in Truth. Guide me as I process my feelings and reactions with the protective covering of Your absolute Truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” ~ Lysa TerKeurst
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