Wow! These words from you are precisely what I have felt stirring in my spirit from our Great Father. I have personally been ruminating on Psalm 138 and 139. When I find myself falling into patterns of the past, I return specifically to 139:17-18 to restore my heart, mind, spirit to align with Him.
Praying for your sweet ones (and you and your hubs) in this season.
I love it when God brings two different people and resources to say the same thing in my life. I was recently listening to a podcast “Managing Leadership Anxiety” from Steve Cuss…this along with Kurt Thompson has been saying over and over “what instinct/habit served you as a child might not be serving you as an adult.” We develop certain habits for many reasons and some of them serve us for the time being, but as His new creation, it is time to step into who God has fully created us to be. It is time to develop “out of” those habits. I appreciate the conversation with Maggie below…the title had me questioning, but I also appreciate a title that sends me into the meat of what is being said. :)
I love Curt Thompson's writing but don't remember him saying this about the habit/instinct that served you as a child might not be serving you as an adult. Do you remember where this was?
Okay, so all of what I have been doing lately has been listening to podcasts. (So, i have not read any of his books yet). I have listened to Curt Thompson’s first season on his being known podcast (there is a recap for his first season) and then I have been listening to Steve Cuss on detachment, emeshment, and differientiation. I (believe) this came from a podcast with Steve Cuss as he interviewed Ian Morgan Cron, but it is something he talks about more than once in his podcast. It is sometimes hard for me to remember what came from Thompson and what came from Cuss. Hence why the common book idea would be good for me, so that is why I mentioned both names, but I believe I heard this (mostly) from Cuss’ podcast and (probably) from the one with Cron. I’m so sorry I don’t have more detailed information. I will say that I really really appreciate your voice and writing on this subject. It is honestly not something I have heard many people talk about at all through the lense of the the gospel and our life with God. Could this be the long term work of santification that the scriptures are talking about? So often I have seen sanctification in DOING instead of changing old thought patterns. ANYWAYS-please keep writing and sharing in this way….it is unique and needed. :)
Callie, my husband and I just recently found Steve Cuss. Love his stuff on managing leadership anxiety! My husband signed up for his course, and I think we’re about to take our whole church staff through it. So good and definitely fits with Sara’s topic here. I remember him making that statement as well, and I do think it may have been the podcast where he interviewed Ian Morgan Cron.
Sara, thank you so much for your much needed words today. I have been struggling today, but also these past few weeks about how my instincts are history formed, rather than God formed. I really feel like you have been looking inside my journal and my mind with this post. It's exactly what I needed to hear and I am so thankful for your words and vulnerability in your writing. It helps me remember that I am not alone in this journey on earth.
I think so many of us are in this place, wanting to sieve through what is from Him and what is of our long-forged flesh patterns. I, too, so want the God-formed instincts.
Sara this is absolutely breathtaking because it is right where my soul is. Thank you for articulating and exposing what I knew not how to do. I’m deeply grateful for your heart, beloved sister Alison Ross
Thanks always for sharing from your heart, Sara! If I may, I feel like in this context “instincts” is actually your mind’s tendencies, life experience, habits, fears, etc. which cause reactions that aren’t always for your best health and God’s trust, right? Maybe I get too caught on semantics but I wrestle a lot when I hear faith leaders and writers say we can’t trust our instincts because I think at the core of all you mentioned in this article, our human instinct is to trust our bodies and hearts without the world and our minds getting in the way. But of course they always do. I think that God places instincts in our bodies to inform, and if we can’t trust our God-given minds, hearts, bodies and souls, and the ways God speaks to us from them, how are we to listen to God in every way possible? I think I’m largely agreeing with every sentiment of your post but I suppose if it’s broken down only into the title (ie not trusting our instincts) - my instinct and gut pulls hard against that. Not because of my desires and ego but because my instincts are always a place of holy communication and learning from God and the cosmic Christ within. Hope that makes sense. Would love to hear your thoughts. ❤️
Yes, I agree! Good question. It *does* make sense!
It's nuanced and I used this phrase on purpose to dislodge thinking we have related to unexamined instincts -- the ones that develop from our history like fear and anxiety and distrust. Maggie, you've probably read enough of my writing to know that I fully believe in paying attention to what our body and emotions tell us (I wrote about this in January's newsletter) 😉. As with everything, there is tension ... and He often is found somewhere in that tension. Our bodies and hearts tell us a story, one we need to pay attention to and bring to Him for discernment.
The tension and bringing things to God for discernment - yes! I keep finding those are the places of truest discovery and growth. 🙂 Thanks for your willingness to dialogue on the nuance❤️
Well, I am waaaay late in reading this article, but as usual, the timing could not have been more perfect. This has been my struggle this week. Nearing the end of your writing when you talked about God wanting to do a new thing, I gasped out loud because that’s exactly where I am right now. And the things you mentioned praying… Yes!! I feel like God is trying to do a new thing in my thinking. There are these well worn paths that I travel—analyze, strive, review the mentor’s notes, pull out the highlighted book sections. Yep! All the things—when I come up against an obstacle at work or with my kids or whatever… and it often leaves me feeling stuck, empty, even inadequate. The Holy Spirit brought that new thing scripture up to me in a fresh way this week as we are in the middle of a church remodel. I’m having to work inside the church building as it’s being renovated. The shell is the same, but rooms are being rearranged. Walls are being built, and torn down and moved. There are days I can’t think because it’s noisy and chaotic, and there are constant interruptions. But, it’s all for a better, more effective use of the space. It’s a new season. We’re experiencing growth. The Lord showed me that’s what He’s doing in my life right now, but honestly it can feel so disorienting. Earlier this week, the Lord reminded me of a conversation I had with a fighter pilot a few years back. He told me that when he’s flying through storms, he often feels like he’s right side up when he’s actually upside down or visa versa. He said they’re trained not to trust their feelings (instincts) but to trust the gages because the gages never lie. For him it’s the difference between life and death. Oh, to learn to trust the gages of His word and His Spirit above our instincts.
Wow! These words from you are precisely what I have felt stirring in my spirit from our Great Father. I have personally been ruminating on Psalm 138 and 139. When I find myself falling into patterns of the past, I return specifically to 139:17-18 to restore my heart, mind, spirit to align with Him.
Praying for your sweet ones (and you and your hubs) in this season.
I love when He does these intersections ... thank you for this note, Natalia!
I love it when God brings two different people and resources to say the same thing in my life. I was recently listening to a podcast “Managing Leadership Anxiety” from Steve Cuss…this along with Kurt Thompson has been saying over and over “what instinct/habit served you as a child might not be serving you as an adult.” We develop certain habits for many reasons and some of them serve us for the time being, but as His new creation, it is time to step into who God has fully created us to be. It is time to develop “out of” those habits. I appreciate the conversation with Maggie below…the title had me questioning, but I also appreciate a title that sends me into the meat of what is being said. :)
I love Curt Thompson's writing but don't remember him saying this about the habit/instinct that served you as a child might not be serving you as an adult. Do you remember where this was?
Okay, so all of what I have been doing lately has been listening to podcasts. (So, i have not read any of his books yet). I have listened to Curt Thompson’s first season on his being known podcast (there is a recap for his first season) and then I have been listening to Steve Cuss on detachment, emeshment, and differientiation. I (believe) this came from a podcast with Steve Cuss as he interviewed Ian Morgan Cron, but it is something he talks about more than once in his podcast. It is sometimes hard for me to remember what came from Thompson and what came from Cuss. Hence why the common book idea would be good for me, so that is why I mentioned both names, but I believe I heard this (mostly) from Cuss’ podcast and (probably) from the one with Cron. I’m so sorry I don’t have more detailed information. I will say that I really really appreciate your voice and writing on this subject. It is honestly not something I have heard many people talk about at all through the lense of the the gospel and our life with God. Could this be the long term work of santification that the scriptures are talking about? So often I have seen sanctification in DOING instead of changing old thought patterns. ANYWAYS-please keep writing and sharing in this way….it is unique and needed. :)
I have wondered the same thing … is a significant piece of our sanctification the renewing of our minds
Callie, my husband and I just recently found Steve Cuss. Love his stuff on managing leadership anxiety! My husband signed up for his course, and I think we’re about to take our whole church staff through it. So good and definitely fits with Sara’s topic here. I remember him making that statement as well, and I do think it may have been the podcast where he interviewed Ian Morgan Cron.
Sara, thank you so much for your much needed words today. I have been struggling today, but also these past few weeks about how my instincts are history formed, rather than God formed. I really feel like you have been looking inside my journal and my mind with this post. It's exactly what I needed to hear and I am so thankful for your words and vulnerability in your writing. It helps me remember that I am not alone in this journey on earth.
I think so many of us are in this place, wanting to sieve through what is from Him and what is of our long-forged flesh patterns. I, too, so want the God-formed instincts.
Sara this is absolutely breathtaking because it is right where my soul is. Thank you for articulating and exposing what I knew not how to do. I’m deeply grateful for your heart, beloved sister Alison Ross
oh, thank you Alison.
Isaiah 43:19 has been a fav verse for many years - such a great reminder to re-center us on God’s truth!! 😘
Thanks always for sharing from your heart, Sara! If I may, I feel like in this context “instincts” is actually your mind’s tendencies, life experience, habits, fears, etc. which cause reactions that aren’t always for your best health and God’s trust, right? Maybe I get too caught on semantics but I wrestle a lot when I hear faith leaders and writers say we can’t trust our instincts because I think at the core of all you mentioned in this article, our human instinct is to trust our bodies and hearts without the world and our minds getting in the way. But of course they always do. I think that God places instincts in our bodies to inform, and if we can’t trust our God-given minds, hearts, bodies and souls, and the ways God speaks to us from them, how are we to listen to God in every way possible? I think I’m largely agreeing with every sentiment of your post but I suppose if it’s broken down only into the title (ie not trusting our instincts) - my instinct and gut pulls hard against that. Not because of my desires and ego but because my instincts are always a place of holy communication and learning from God and the cosmic Christ within. Hope that makes sense. Would love to hear your thoughts. ❤️
Yes, I agree! Good question. It *does* make sense!
It's nuanced and I used this phrase on purpose to dislodge thinking we have related to unexamined instincts -- the ones that develop from our history like fear and anxiety and distrust. Maggie, you've probably read enough of my writing to know that I fully believe in paying attention to what our body and emotions tell us (I wrote about this in January's newsletter) 😉. As with everything, there is tension ... and He often is found somewhere in that tension. Our bodies and hearts tell us a story, one we need to pay attention to and bring to Him for discernment.
The tension and bringing things to God for discernment - yes! I keep finding those are the places of truest discovery and growth. 🙂 Thanks for your willingness to dialogue on the nuance❤️
Well, I am waaaay late in reading this article, but as usual, the timing could not have been more perfect. This has been my struggle this week. Nearing the end of your writing when you talked about God wanting to do a new thing, I gasped out loud because that’s exactly where I am right now. And the things you mentioned praying… Yes!! I feel like God is trying to do a new thing in my thinking. There are these well worn paths that I travel—analyze, strive, review the mentor’s notes, pull out the highlighted book sections. Yep! All the things—when I come up against an obstacle at work or with my kids or whatever… and it often leaves me feeling stuck, empty, even inadequate. The Holy Spirit brought that new thing scripture up to me in a fresh way this week as we are in the middle of a church remodel. I’m having to work inside the church building as it’s being renovated. The shell is the same, but rooms are being rearranged. Walls are being built, and torn down and moved. There are days I can’t think because it’s noisy and chaotic, and there are constant interruptions. But, it’s all for a better, more effective use of the space. It’s a new season. We’re experiencing growth. The Lord showed me that’s what He’s doing in my life right now, but honestly it can feel so disorienting. Earlier this week, the Lord reminded me of a conversation I had with a fighter pilot a few years back. He told me that when he’s flying through storms, he often feels like he’s right side up when he’s actually upside down or visa versa. He said they’re trained not to trust their feelings (instincts) but to trust the gages because the gages never lie. For him it’s the difference between life and death. Oh, to learn to trust the gages of His word and His Spirit above our instincts.