Following Your Heart
Boundless has a great article up this week about the dangers of simply following your heart into a relationship. “Follow your heart” is a phrase that we are often fed, and that we would love to believe, even though Scripture warns us that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9).
Especially in the area of relationships, following your heart can be so damaging, because emotions can so quickly get in the way of making clear-headed decisions. There are so many other things we should be listening to besides our feelings – the words of Scripture, godly counsel, and prayerful discernment, just to name a few.
How is this possible, though, when the heart’s call can be so strong and our flesh is so weak? I think in every area of life, it happens only when our heart’s desires are turned the right direction. Only then will we be able to rise above our deceitful longings. When we desire something greater than our personal satisfaction – the glory of God and the good of others – we will be able to move past selfish emotions and put what God thinks and what others need before ourselves.
So it’s all about what we value most. When we value Jesus more highly than life, we can then, in a sense, “follow our hearts,” because they will lead us straight to Him and to what He desires. I believe this is the intent of that oft-quoted verse in the Psalms: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4).
I cannot say Amen enough, wise sister!
Anna -
I just ran across your blog via your submission to “The Daily Scribe”. You do a very nice job here. Good writing. Strong Christian perspective. Clearly, you love Jesus and He loves you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Amen, girl. I love your heart for Christ. Beautiful.
I haven’t been online in so long, and you have so many good entries for me to catch up on! Sheesh!
Awesome post, Anna.
What you said is so true! Our culture speaks the phrase “follow your heart” into our ears. Especially in the media; movies, books, TV – the “turning point” for the lead character is usually “follow your heart” and everything will turn out ok.
But, as your post beautifully declared, Scripture warns us to avoid the damage of a selfish heart that dictates our “followings”.
As you said,
“When we desire something greater than our personal satisfaction – the glory of God and the good of others – we will be able to move past selfish emotions and put what God thinks and what others need before ourselves.”
Beautiful.
Thanks for the comment, Anna!
This was also a good post! It’s very easy to put too much emphasis on emotion and looks rather than the things that are unshakable, like character, wisdom, and following God’s heart in order to bring Him glory. I know that sometimes I’ve been too eager to want a relationship for *my* good rather than reminding myself that every person has weaknesses and loving someone just because they seem perfect isn’t loving them like Christ loves them.
Blessings!
Thanks for your encouraging words, everyone. Let me remind you, I am far from having this perfect attitude in my life. It is something I have seen in others, and something I am striving for. May we value Christ together.
Great post.
Thank you so much for sharing this Anna! I have found this all to be so true. It’s amazing how different things are in all aspects of my life when I am striving to put Christ first and to desire Him over all. When I’m valuing other things over Him it doesn’t take long for me to struggle. Keep sharing the truth!
Hi Anna – Great post. Very wise advice. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Take Care and God Bless.
Great post!!
To echo the thoughts of others and yourself; yes, “following the heart” is spiritually dangerous. I think that what God desires for us to be content on His terms and in His mercy and love, not happy based on our carnal terms.
Excellent Anna, I agree completely!! It drives me crazy when I watch movies, and they say to follow your heart. There are situations when the character knows that an option is wrong, but their heart says that it is what they want; therefore, it is correct. In the end, everyone is happy. That drives me crazy!
Anna, I know the damage caused from following my heart (read: feelings and emotions) in a relationship. You are so right – we need to look to Scripture and godly counsel in order to help us with a relationship. Great post!