There are very few things – if anything at all – more unreliable than our "feelings". They are misleading and ever-changing. One minute, we can feel one way about a particular thing; and the next minute feel something completely different about that very same thing. The Word of God teaches us, however, that relying on how we feel leads to confusion and instability. James 1:7-8 reads,

"For truly, let not such a person imagine that [she] will receive anything [she] asks for from the Lord, for being as [she is a woman] of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [she] is unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [she] thinks, feels, decides" (Amplified Translation).

Have you allowed your emotions to be your guide?

Are you a leader that follows "your gut" or follows your God?

If we are not careful, our emotions will become a tool that the enemy can use to toss us "to and fro" like ships in the sea (Ephesians 4:14-15). Feelings will tell us to bow down to fear, give up when the road gets tough, and make rash decisions that we later regret.

The great Reformer, Martin Luther, wrote:

Feelings come, and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving,
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing!

Deceiving in nature, our emotions can also persuade us to offer "well intentioned" help that runs contrary to God’s perfect will. Sometimes we will feel moved to meet "needs" that God does not want us to meet.

Did you know that – when they are being born – baby eaglets use a tiny sharp tooth to chip away at their egg shell? The parent eagle, however, never assists in the process because this is something that eaglets must do for themselves. The independent process enables the babies to develop their strength to survive. Sometimes, however, well-meaning people try to "help" by breaking open the shell. When that happens, the eaglet often dies.

We must ask ourselves: Are the majority of our decisions based on well-intentioned feelings? If so, how many "eaglets" under our care fail to develop – or survive – because of it?

As leaders, we must always be wary of our feelings. Not only will they misguide us in our own circumstances, but they can also influence us to (well-intentionally) interrupt the plans of God. We are wise to remember that our emotions are the enemy’s tool of influence; therefore, let us not believe them. Rather, like Martin Luther, let our "warrant be the Word of God… for naught else is worth believing!"

Our cry:
Lord, I thank You for the stable, gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit. I pray that You will increase my sensitivity to Your voice — enabling me to be a leader who is consistently led by my God. Please strengthen my resistance to the ups and downs of my emotions, so that I can be stable and reliable. Anchor me, oh Lord, in the certainty of Your plans.

For I am Your Handmaiden. I am Your servant.

Recommended reading:
James 1:7-8, Amplified Translation
Ephesians 4:14-15

Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today's Leaders
By: Bob Briner, Ray Pritchard
Not all leaders are created equal. One, in fact, created all the rest. This book is your chance to sit down with Him for a few minutes each day, watching what He did and learning how he did it, then getting up to try doing it yourself. In fewer than four years, Jesus inspired his followers completely, enough that they were willing to die for him. Even while instructing them on the duties at hand, he helped them see greatness in every day. Who wouldn't want to be that kind of leader?
More»

Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs
By:Bill Hybels
Good leaders can pinpoint the reasons for their actions and decisions with the ease of reciting their home address. Here Pastor Hybels summarizes his leadership methods under four key categories: vision and strategy, teamwork and communication, activity and assessment, and personal integrity. You'll be encouraged to reflect on your own management style!
More»

Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow - Small Group Study Guide
By: C. Peter Wagner
You can help others discover their true purpose in life by leading them to an understanding of the unique spiritual gifts that God has given them. This easy-to-use study provides you with the tools you need. Through this course, participants will learn the differences between gifts, talents, and roles; and how to tell real gifts from counterfeit ones. In these 12 sessions you will help people discover their spiritual gifts and learn how to use them in ministry.
More»

The First Lady Conference
The First Lady Conference is "a safe place for pastors’ wives" to be "totally me, totally free."

Invincible Youth Ministry Conference Tour
Based on Ephesians 6:10-20
Teens learn a practical and Biblical approach to spiritual warfare that they can understand and apply through interactive, culturally-relevant, and fast-paced sessions that combine drama, humor, and multimedia.

Click Here To Learn More

Conspire 2009 – March 18-20, 2009
Join more than 3,000 children's ministry workers from around the world. Together, you'll experience:

Powerful main sessions, where you'll connect with God and others as you learn creative, relevant, and powerful ways to grow your children's ministry.

Practical training experiences, where you can take your skills and ideas to the next level and gain inspiration from other children's ministry leaders just like you.

Click Here To Learn More

National Youth Ministry Conference 2009 – February 27 – March 2, 2009
This conference is for anyone involved in ministry to youth—from Jr. High through High School age. From full-time paid youth ministers to part-time lay leaders, this conference is designed to equip and encourage all youth workers. You can also connect with peers in similar youth worker roles in many of the free pre-conference sessions designed to help you meet others with similar ministry passions and challenges. Whether you're from a small church or large church, a veteran or a newbie, this conference is for you!

Click Here To Learn More