Teach me your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.  Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord!  Psalm 27:11-14

Determining direction requires analysis of facts and feelings, unless you are driven specifically by animal instinct.  Making decisions based solely on “fight or flight” results in grievous error often representing greater danger than the initial stimuli.  So, as we mature we either rely heavily upon fact or choose to trust our “gut” feelings or emotions.  This presents a particular view of the world based upon our specifically chosen or learned filters.  What then happens to humans who, out of response to circumstantial experience are forced to one side of this decision spectrum?

If the facts may be in dispute or my editor/analysis tools are skewed then I am subject to the often gushing guidance of my feelings.  What then shall I do if I find myself continually driven by whimsy or emotional demand?  Especially, when based upon shocking or lasting experiences my “emotions” are out of sync with reality.  Shall I, as many do, resolve to making decisions solely based on data analysis and fact, determining to remain stationary until facts indicate otherwise?  Or is there an optimal or linear function that prescribes the appropriate mixture of the two, so that I am neither dragged here nor affixed there?  How then does this dichotomous relationship integrate into discernment and dependance upon God’s direction?  Is there an override clause that causes me as a believer to make decisions in faith even when the facts and my emotions tell me otherwise?  How can we achieve this “faithful” practice without surrender to God’s Will over our own?  We cannot.

Determining that we shall adhere to God’s Word as our guide when our emotions and the facts tell us differently, demands choice and practice.  God tells believers to “walk by faith not by sight”.  This process is not possible under doctrines of self-reliance.  We must be changed, renewed, transformed to a point where we trust in God dismissing alternate stimuli or relegating them to secondary or tertiary reliance.  If what my senses and the facts tell me leads me away from God’s inerrant truth or guidance then I “must” be able to dismiss them.  Without that understanding I will always be driven to making decisions based on the tools of worldly feelings and facts.

Praise you Father that you have given me the opportunity to learn from and be counseled by Your Holy Spirit.  Give me a reliance upon that righteous and faithful direction even when the facts and my feelings contradict Spirit’s Word.  At that point I will fully understand the Words of Isaiah and others which tell me to “Wait upon the Lord; Being of Good Courage”.  For this is the position of faith to which believers commit their hearts and lives.  Thank You so much, In Jesus’ Holy Name.