Submitting Your Felt Reality to God: Practical Steps for Christians

Submitting Your Felt Reality to God

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you believe something to be true, but the reality of the situation suggests otherwise? This is the concept of "felt reality," a term coined by a counselor to describe the way our thoughts, assumptions, and emotions shape our perception of reality.

As Christians, we are called to submit our felt reality to God and seek His truth in all things. But what does this mean, and how can we practically apply this concept in our everyday lives?

Understanding Felt Reality

Before we can submit our felt reality to God, we must first understand what it is and how it affects our perception of reality. Felt reality is our subjective experience of the world around us, shaped by our thoughts, feelings, and assumptions.

For example, let's say you are in a difficult marriage and feel unloved and unappreciated by your spouse. Your felt reality is that your spouse does not care about you and is not meeting your needs. However, the reality of the situation may be quite different, and your spouse may be showing love and care in ways that you are not recognizing or appreciating.

Our felt reality can also be influenced by our past experiences, beliefs, and biases. We may see the world in a certain way because of our upbringing, cultural background, or personal struggles.

While our felt reality is a legitimate experience, it is not always an accurate reflection of reality. We must be willing to examine our thoughts and feelings and submit them to God's truth.

Submitting Our Felt Reality to God

Submitting our felt reality to God requires humility and a willingness to be corrected and transformed by His truth. Here are some practical steps we can take:

1. Recognize our limitations

We are finite beings with limited knowledge and understanding. We cannot see the full picture of any situation, and our felt reality may be incomplete or distorted. We must approach every situation with humility, recognizing that we do not have all the answers.

2. Examine our thoughts and feelings

We must be willing to examine our thoughts and feelings and question their validity. Are they based on truth, or are they influenced by our past experiences or biases? We must be open to correction and willing to change our minds if necessary.

As the Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

3. Seek God's truth

As Christians, we believe that God's Word is the ultimate truth. We must seek His truth in all things and submit our felt reality to His Word. This means studying the Bible, meditating on its truths, and seeking wise counsel from other believers.

As the Bible says in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

4. Pray for discernment

We must pray for discernment and wisdom as we navigate life's challenges. We can ask God to reveal His truth to us and to help us see things from His perspective.

As the Bible says in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

The Benefits of Submitting Our Felt Reality to God

Submitting our felt reality to God is not always easy, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Greater clarity and understanding

When we submit our felt reality to God, we gain a clearer understanding of the world around us. We are able to see things from His perspective and discern truth from lies.

2. Increased empathy and compassion

When we recognize our own limitations and biases, we are better able to empathize with others and show compassion. We are less likely to judge or criticize others based on our own felt reality.

3. Deeper intimacy with God

As we seek God's truth and submit our felt reality to Him, we grow closer to Him and experience a deeper intimacy with Him. We learn to trust Him more fully and rely on His wisdom and guidance.

Conclusion

Submitting our felt reality to God is an ongoing process that requires humility, openness, and a willingness to be transformed by His truth. As we seek His truth and submit our thoughts and feelings to Him, we will experience greater clarity, empathy, and intimacy with Him.

Let us pray for discernment and wisdom as we navigate life's challenges and seek to submit our felt reality to God.