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The God and Gut Connection
The last few months we’ve been hitting “FEAR” hard addressing different aspects of the meaning and reasons behind it.
How does God and your guts have anything to do with fear?
Research shows that anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, and more can trigger symptoms in the gut! And on the other side, the so-called “gut instinct we feel” is an instinct of the Spirit and is often God's way of helping you have caution concerning other people.
If you haven’t already… listen to the podcast first, then come back to the blog for the tie in!
“Whoever believes in me, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water” John 7:38..
"I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jer. 29:11).
"Thoughts of peace" can for sure be related to our “gut instincts, our intuition, the holy spirit nudging us!
Intuition is a gift from God, and, when we learn how to develop and strengthen it, intuition can help us steer clear of disastrous decisions and relationships.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
We can see here how God gives us these “gut feelings” to help guide us through the narrow gates. Just as we spoke about before with shame and guilt, our intuition is also given to us to get our attention and lead us in the right direction.
The CATCH?!
Running on our own instinct is often driven by fear and typically produces fear, worry, and doubt. When we are aligned with God's will, He gives us peace.
OOOOooooo so how do we get that? How do we know we are aligned with God’s will and it’s him stirring up the emotions in our guts not the enemies fiery arrows?
What may feel like intuition can just as easily be one of the enemy’s “fiery arrows” (Ephesians 6:16).
Instead of resisting, humble yourself and let God educate your desires. Aka ASK HIM!!! Dive into scripture and live by his word so you can better hear him! Go back and review all the blogs and podcasts so far for this year, there are many ways we have offered to help you align yourself better with what God has planned for you!
So don't be afraid to ask God to reveal His will to you!
Do you know the reason why people do not follow their instincts???
The most likely reason that people do not follow their instincts stems from their self-image.
And Eventually, one’s low self-esteem will lead them away from humbling themselves before God and listening to His Spirit.
Self-image is a product of learning. Early childhood influences, such as parents and caregivers, have a major influence on our self-image. They are mirrors reflecting back to us an image of ourselves. Our experiences with others such as teachers, friends, and family add to the image in the mirror.
Self-esteem continues to develop through adulthood and an individual's self-esteem may increase through the achievements they have made which, in turn, increases self-worth. During adulthood a person develops a real understanding of who they are and how to deal with situations more effectively and with more confidence.
But if you suffer from a chronic sense of failure, underachievement, and shame because compared to others you just are not smart enough, attractive enough, competent enough, gifted enough, organized enough, educated enough, successful enough, rich enough, or prominent enough, that is almost always an unholy lowliness. Enemy driven. Unaligned with what God says is true about you. Check out our previous blog post "Living in your Thrive Zone" here:
Although parents, teachers, friends and family are important parts of our lives, just like marriage, God should be at the center and first. What he has to say, not our overworked, burnt out buddy, or our mom who had hopes of you following in her cheerleading captain footsteps!
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Notice it doesn’t say: by some crazy science project you were formed in your moms womb to be just like her and do everything like your dad wants and have all the same gifts and talents as them… “I SET YOU APART” from everything else in order to do a job. Not necessarily the one your great grandma did and your grandma and your mom and now you…
Psalm 139
Throughout this verse, it is clear that God sees each person as an individual, created in His image for a purpose that is specific to them. This verse points to the fact that each person has unique gifts and talents, and has a role to play in the world that is unlike anyone else.
What is your gut instinct telling you right now? Do you feel strong enough in your faith that it is what God wants you to do?
Action Items:
Write down any gut instincts you have had in the past that you didn’t listen to. How did they turn out? Better/Worse?
Why do you think they turned out that way? Fear? Or Faith?
Do you have any gut instincts now or lately you need to ask God about?
It would help us out a lot if you would please share, download, and review us! Thank you!