Research has determined that our thoughts are a driving force behind how we feel. As an authority on the subject, author and psychiatrist Dr. David Burns writes:

“Your feelings result from the messages you give yourself. In fact, your thoughts often have much more to do with how you feel than what is actually happening in your life.”

As a Biblical counselor, one of my biggest roles is to help people understand if the thoughts driving their feelings are accurate. If our lives are going to be negatively impacted emotionally, the thoughts causing these feelings should at least be true. My favorite way to help people understand this critical variable is a simple question : Does God agree? Allow me to explain.

WHAT THE WORLD TEACHES

Who (or what) determines the validity of our thinking? Protagoras, the 5th century B.C. Greek thinker, argued that “man is the measure of all things” and “contradictory assertions are equally true.” This tenet reaches into 21st century relativism where culture encourages us to “find our own truth”. The world teaches that a thought is true if the person thinking it also believes it.

Do you believe you are worthless? Well, then, you are, and your accompanying depression is appropriate. Do you believe a catastrophe, for which there is no hope, awaits? Well, then, it does and your anxiety is warranted. Do you believe there are no available solutions for the problems in your marriage? Well, then, there are not, and a divorce is your only option.

This worldly standard opens the door to damaging emotions (depression, anxiety, loneliness, insecurity, etc.)

FINDING BIBLE-DRIVEN TRUTH

Thankfully, we are not abandoned to the ebb and flow of our individual thoughts. Rather, we can rely on the unchanging truths asserted by our all-knowing God.

If you believe you are worthless, look to the One who died for you and ask: Does God agree? Of course not, God’s Word says that you are created with great purpose and value. (Psalm 139:13-16 and Ephesians 2:10)

If you believe your future is hopeless, look to the One who promises to supply your daily bread and ask: Does God agree? (Matthew 6:25-34) If you believe there are no solutions for a broken relationship, look to the One able to reconcile humanity to Himself and ask: Does God agree? (John 12:32)

DOES GOD AGREE WITH YOU?

If you are experiencing emotional, relational, or spiritual distress, review your underlying thoughts and ask yourself, “Does God agree”? God desires to lead you to healing and freedom through His truth. (John 14:6 and John 8:32) If you need help navigating your season of life, a Biblical Counselor or another Mission Hills care ministry may be able to help.