Gut Reactions

Gut reaction: "An instantaneous reaction made without thought." "Trust your gut". We've all heard it. Most of us have even adopted it. After all, we've been conditioned from little on to believe that our gut instinct is always the "right" instinct. But is it? Because my gut is flesh. I'm guessing yours is too. And if there's one thing I've learned in my 44 (ok, pushing 45) years it's this: I can't always trust what my flesh has to say. The flesh of my gut has been known to whisper....... "Don't stop and help, there's other people that will." "You don't need to give, you do plenty of other good things." "Inviting her for a cup of coffee isn't going to change the fact that her   husband is a cheat." "You can do it later." "You mean well, it's just that you're really busy. And it's the thought that   counts anyway." And these are just a few of my gut reactions. The list of gut reactions in the midst of real life circumstances is not pretty. And it's not Godly. When my gut says, "Keep going".....God says, "Stop and be there." When my gut says, "You don't have enough to give".....God says, "I am your provider". When my gut says, "One hour of time isn't going to change anything".....God says, "Clearly you haven't seen what I can do in a moment". When my gut says, "This makes me uncomfortable".....God says, "I created you to be comfort-able." So here's what I've determined. Just today, actually. After an extraordinary day surrounded by His presence in a spectrum of situations. I don't need to trust my gut, I need to trust my God. My reactions are a reflection of where I remain. And when I remain in HIM..........I can trust that my reactions will bring Him glory. And my flesh will respond in obedience. And my instincts will be a result of resting in Him. Friends, my gut may say, "You mean well and that's all that matters".........but my God whispers........Good intentions don't shine My light. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)                    Remain in Me. (John 15:4)                    Rest in Me. (Matthew 11:28-30)                    React in Me. (Ephesians 4:32)                    Resist your gut. (Mark 14:38)                    Renew your faith. (Psalm 51:10)                    Restore your trust. (Jeremiah 17:7)                    Remember...I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20) Skip the gut. Seek the One True God.