Feelings are reality…or…feelings vs. reality? It seems our culture excels at ignoring reality, but it doesn’t stop there. Many work very hard to turn everything around in order to pronounce that their feelings are reality. “If I feel it, that’s how it is.” Example: “I noticed that snow is red and not white, because I feel that it is that way…since I feel it, that is how it is for me.”[1] But again, it doesn’t stop there. Next, everyone is expected to provide for each person’s feelings, no matter how far from the truth and reality they may be. If a boy feels like a girl, then everyone and everything is to be devoted to “making it a reality” for him/her. What else will be included in this ridiculous scenario? If a six-year-old girl is infatuated with fairies, should we all provide everything necessary to for her to sprout wings, turn mint green and fly? If a boy loves The Hulk, are we obligated to transform him into a giant, green, muscle-bound freak and then declare him normal? The leftists are doing their best to promote these fantasies and require parent, doctors, schools, etc. to comply or lose all rights and funding. In the mean time people of all ages are being harmed, even ruined.
Two big differences: 1) The world’s version of trans-formation is, in reality, trans-deformation.” It destroys both body and soul. 2) The change that Jesus Christ offers is true transformation of body, soul and spirit. Wholeness as compared to brokenness, healing as compared to deformity, forgiveness of sin, rather than supposed affirmation that sin is not only OK, but beautiful and desired.
Licensed professional counselor Charles Corbin Humble, M.A. makes these statements, “It is good to first validate that feelings are real, and painful, and distressing and confusing…(however)…Feelings are real, but not reality…no one should stay at this point too long…When actions are based on feelings all kinds of things go wrong.”[2] Jim Taylor Ph.D. speaking in his article in Psychology Today says it this way, “Perception is reality. This aphorism is often used to justify a perception that may be unjustifiable or just plain out of touch with reality. It is employed as a cudgel (club) to beat others into accepting someone’s preferred so-called reality. ..perception is NOT reality.[3]
Perception defined: The way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.
Reality defined: The world or state of things as they actually exist…existence that is absolute, self-sufficient, or objective, and not subject to human decisions or conventions.
As God’s people we must always be focused on Him, our creator. Do not let your eyes wander (Proverbs 17:24) to the foolish things of this world, but rather keep them fixed on the reality of Jesus in our lives (Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 141:8). Pray that He will open eyes of the blind. “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:7
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