Heart
“Follow Your Heart”! That is what the post said. The picture was nondescript but the words overlaying the image was clear and bold. A statement! Follow Your Heart. When I read it I immediately thought it was a romantic concept. Forget what anyone says, just follow your heart. Or perhaps it was speaking about doing what you love; after all, your decisions are not your fathers decisions and you must forge your own path.
The notion is that no one understands what you feel about the issue, or person or career like you do. So, what does your heart say?
This notion also assumes that your heart is right, if not always, most of the time. Therefore if your heart is nearly always right, then you can do as thou wilt.. just follow your heart.
Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
I thought about instances in my life when I followed my heart, usually against my better judgement and against the advice of others. In every case that I can recollect, I learned through the experience, but came out the other side with regret. I realized that I was diminished because of the choice I made, and as a consequence of my heart decision my future happiness or prosperity was negatively affected.
Consider this, how many of us personally or knows someone that followed their heart in a business decision, or romantic involvement that ended in regret? Or how many of us personally have looked back on heart made decisions and resolve that our heart was truly wrong?
Go With Your Gut
Can we trust our gut? If we are honest, is our gut a reliable measure of who we should marry, where we should work or live? Where does our gut, or heart, gain the understanding or wisdom to guide us?
James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
It surprises me when I see people that will trust their heart when so often they admit their hearts have led them astray in bad decisions and bad behavior resulting in painful consequences. However, when it is suggested that they trust in God, they scoff, calling that silly.
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
The phrase “Follow your own heart”, reinforces a person’s belief that they are in control of their own life and future. This is a dangerous thing to believe. The very individuals that believe they are in control of their lives, will also say that their are forces out there affecting their lives and impacting their plans.
Trust God
For those that have trusted their heart and been disappointed there is great news. You can trust God. Trusting God does not mean that you will get what you want. But if does mean that all things will work together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.
God wants you to have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
We cannot even imagine what He has in store for those that love Him. (1 Cor 2:9).
Verses to consider:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)
If you have done it your way over and over again and find that you are no better off, or you feel empty inside and lacking peace and joy in your life, try trusting God. He is still waiting for you to make this choice. It is a choice that only you can make. You can continue to go through the cycle of decisions and disappointment, or trust in God who will never leave you or forsake you, and who wants you to have life and have it more abundantly. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Ask God to lead you and give you wisdom. Cast your cares on Him.
Matthew 6:8, “..your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
Matthew 6:31-33, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ”
