4 Ways to Lead Our Hearts Instead of Following Them

Published at Family Christian.

We pulled into the parking lot at our nature center, and my three not-competitive-at-all sons scrambled out of the car and raced toward the map. Though it’s been years, I still see the scene clearly. Their little fingers traced the colored trails, and their little voices asked which ones were easy or hard. Once we settled on a trail, they repeated the trail symbol on the way to the trailhead: “Follow the turtles, follow the turtles…”

This week, I saw a post from the National Park Service that said, “There’s nothing wrong with following your heart, but sometimes it’s good to check the map, too.” When I picture our nature center visits, I can’t imagine skipping that posted paper trail map to choose our path. My crew would never risk delaying lunch by walking trails without consulting that map!

Yet, as I rummage through my memories, I recall countless other times when I chose to follow my heart.

Our culture applauds and even expects that we follow our hearts. We’re encouraged to be true to ourselves. But sometimes, our hearts lead us in ways that oppose God. For me, this practice of heart-following meant God-muting.

When I followed my heart, I stopped following Jesus.

I know it isn’t just me. Maybe you relate. When I search my Bible, I find example after example of people who allowed their hearts to lead them away from God. Abraham, Noah, Moses, and David – all men who loved God deeply – all fell into heart-led moments that created turmoil, heartbreak, and distance from God.

How do we feel what’s happening in our hearts but still allow God to lead? Because isn’t He the holder of the map? Doesn’t He know the safest trails?

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